Seasonal employee

A Seasonal Employee, also known as a Seasonal Worker, is an individual who is employed on a temporary basis to work during specific periods of the year, typically in line with the demands of a particular industry or business. This can include, but is not limited to:

• Retail workers hired for Christmas and New Year sales
• Hotel staff recruited for summer holidays
• Agricultural workers brought in for harvest seasons
• Tour operators employing staff during peak tourist periods

Seasonal employees are usually employed on a short-term basis, often with a fixed start and end date, and may be required to work variable hours. They may also be entitled to certain benefits, such as holiday pay or pension contributions, depending on the employer’s policies and relevant employment laws.

In terms of employment law, Seasonal Employees are considered temporary workers and are subject to the same rights and protections as permanent employees under the Employment Rights Act 1996 and other relevant legislation. This includes the right to a minimum wage, paid holiday time, and protection against unfair dismissal.

Employers must also comply with the Agency Workers Regulations 2010, which provide for equal treatment of agency workers in relation to pay and working conditions compared to permanent employees after a 12-week qualifying period.

It’s worth noting that some Seasonal Employees may be classified as ‘zero-hours’ workers, who are employed on an as-needed basis without a guaranteed minimum number of hours. However, this classification is subject to specific rules and regulations under the Zero Hours Regulations 2015.

Overall, the definition of a Seasonal Employee in the UK encompasses a range of temporary workers employed during specific periods of the year, with varying rights and protections depending on their employment status and relevant legislation.

AceRota’s automated scheduling feature can assist with managing seasonal employees by allowing for easy onboarding and offboarding, as well as dynamic rostering to accommodate fluctuating workloads during peak periods.