I’ve always been intrigued by the challenge of engaging temporary or seasonal workers so they live up to your values and represent the company effectively. After all, no-one dealing with them knows or cares whether they are temporary recruits or long-term company stalwarts.
It's a fascinating challenge from a business perspective,
particularly if you’re bringing in large numbers of temps for a busy period or
a particular event. Having been a seasonal worker myself, back in the day, I can
testify that it’s interesting to the individual, too. You want to know what’s
expected of you to fulfil your brief, whether it’s for one day or several weeks.
I can’t recall much preparation when I was in that position,
which either shows the company had great confidence in its recruitment process or
(perhaps more likely) suggests that onboarding did not receive the focus it gets
today.
However, my experience at a recent festival suggests at
least one organisation is doing it well.
Thousands of people, in a massive open-air venue, with a series
of different tents or stages and changeable weather throughout the day. Seas of
people with lots of questions, seeking directions to facilities or information
on timings (and a whole lot of other random queries!). Yet every representative
I spoke to or heard interacting with others was unfailingly calm, clear and
polite. They went beyond merely answering questions to provide extra levels of
detail, walk people towards where they needed to go, wish them an enjoyable
day.
I’ve been to plenty of events over the years where the
experience of dealing with those representatives has been disappointing, to say
the least. It was very refreshing to encounter an organiser that clearly puts a
great deal of emphasis not only on recruiting the right people, but on preparing
them for their role, even if it was for just one day.
