As more and more people are getting out and about two-plus years into the pandemic, the demand for seasonal workers is high.
But with low unemployment numbers, companies and organizations are scrambling for help staff counselor positions at summer camps, life guard jobs at pools and beaches, various positions at restaurants and more. To help meet the demand for seasonal positions, the United States recently opened up an additional 35,000 H2-B visas.
To bring in workers, amusement parks, for one, are paying unprecedented wages of up to $20 per hour to bring in and keep talent. We saw a similar trend near the holidays when retailers began offering bonuses, discounts and more to attract talent.
Regardless of the recruiting and retention issues caused by the Great Resignation, companies must button up their time and attendance systems to ensure they are not riding a roller coaster ride filled with challenges.
For one thing, an automated time-tracking system ensures that you’re getting the most from your labor dollars, and that you’re only paying for actual, accurate work time.
For another, it will spare you hours of payroll-related headaches. Manually processing time sheets and payroll is especially arduous during peak season, yet being paid promptly is what keeps your workforce along for the ride.
Finally, the U.S. Labor Department has ramped up wage and hour investigations against some employers who hire seasonal workers, even targeting specific industries. Seasonal workers are protected under Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) laws, which include keeping detailed time-tracking records.
In fiscal 2021, the Labor Department helped more than 190,000 workers recover $230 million in back wages. Additionally, the top 10 largest class-action wage-and-hour lawsuits cost companies almost $450 million in 2019. While these are not seasonal-related statistics, it does show how wage and hour mistakes can be costly.
Did you know Bakken in Copenhagen, Denmark, is said to be the world’s oldest amusement park? Visitors have been going to the area for fun since 1583! Wonder how long the waits were back then …
To ensure you’re keeping up with the “times,” keep in mind that not all time-tracking systems are designed to handle seasonal workers. You need a system that:
- Allows managers to add and remove employees with a few quick clicks of the keyboard.
- Bases its fee on monthly active employees, so you only pay for what you use.
- Offers a mobile time-tracking app with GPS, for mobile workers or worksites that don’t accommodate time clocks.
- Includes a range of easy-to-access time and attendance reports, so recordkeeping is covered in the event of an audit.
EPAY’s time-tracking system does all of these things. Learn how we can help you manage your fluid workforce so you, too, can enjoy the ride. Contact us for more information.
