More Pay and Flexible Hours Top Holiday Workers’ Wish Lists

Motivated by inflation concerns and rising household costs, many people are looking to get added spending by taking on extra work this holiday season, a recent survey by staffing firm PeopleReady found. Specifically, the survey found that 60 percent of the 500 respondents are looking for seasonal employment in addition to their current jobs, and that 18 percent are looking for such jobs for the first time.

Despite that increased interest in seasonal work, a tight labor market and a shift in worker attitudes will likely make holiday hiring more challenging this year. To attract seasonal workers, employers should keep in mind several of the survey’s findings about worker preferences, PeopleReady advises.

Schedule flexibility is top of mind among this year’s holiday job seekers: Respondents said flexible hours are one of the most important factors in choosing a job (23 percent), second only to increased wages (53 percent). Respondents also said finding a job that meets their needs (43 percent), getting more hours (28 percent) and scheduling issues (18 percent) will be their greatest work challenges this holiday season.

To attract and retain workers, employers should proactively address these challenges, PeopleReady says.

“Right now, job seekers are looking for flexible scheduling and more control over their job search,” said Taryn Owen, President and COO of TrueBlue, PeopleReady’s parent company. “Companies that leverage mobile apps to make their hiring process easier have an advantage over their competitors. Apps offer job seekers instant access to local jobs and give employees the ability to choose the jobs that fit their schedules during the busy holiday season.”

For more from the survey, click here.