Summertime brings sunshine, longer days, and a well-earned break for many full-time employees. But while your team dreams about some much-deserved OOO, you might be left wondering how to keep your operations running smoothly.
That’s where temp workers come in.
At Star Staffing, we often support teams that need to fill summer vacation gaps, so we know that employees taking time off doesn’t need to mean a slowdown in productivity. With a strategic approach, temporary employees can help your business thrive without skipping a beat.
The Summer PTO Crunch Is Real
From June through September, it’s common for businesses to see multiple overlapping vacation requests, particularly around popular holidays and school breaks. In customer-facing roles — and manufacturing, logistics, and hospitality, especially — this can put significant pressure on remaining staff.
The consequences? Overworked teams, longer turnaround times, and potential service quality or output drops.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Temp Talent: Summer’s Secret Weapon
Temporary workers are a flexible, cost-effective way to cover for team members out on PTO. Whether you need help for a few days, a few weeks, or even just a specific shift, temp employees can jump in to:
- Cover customer service or front-desk roles
- Maintain productivity on assembly lines or production floors
- Support shipping and receiving teams during high-volume days
- Keep projects moving in administrative, HR, or marketing departments
Because temp workers are pre-screened and ready to go, the learning curve is shorter, and the results are faster.
How to Plan for a Smooth PTO Season
Here are a few quick ways to make the most of temp talent this summer:
- Plan Ahead. Identify any coverage gaps as soon as your team submits their summer vacation requests. If you rely on a staffing partner to help you fill these gaps, loop them in. The earlier you do, the better the match we can make. (And if you don’t have a staffing partner, reach out to us!)
- Cross-Train Where Possible. A little overlap goes a long way toward ensuring continuity. If doable, have temp workers shadow permanent team members before they leave on PTO.
- Communicate Clearly. Set expectations around tasks, reporting structure, and company protocols. Straightforward onboarding is key, especially for shorter temp roles that are common during summer.
- Stay Flexible. Temp talent can do more than just fill a seat — they can also bring new skills, fresh ideas, and extra support in areas you didn’t realize needed. Stay open to discoveries, especially during summer when we can all stand to take a more easygoing approach. And if someone surprises you, temp-to-hire is always an option!
Don’t let the vacation season slow you down. With the proper planning and a solid staffing partner, your team can enjoy their well-deserved time off, and your business can stay productive, stress-free, and on track.
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Need help filling summer PTO gaps? Contact Star Staffing today to connect with experienced temp workers who are ready to step in.