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Digital EditionNavigating Holiday Hiring and Safety: Essential Tips for Retail Businesses
As the holiday season hits it stride, employers should not underestimate the risks in hiring seasonal employees, pressured as they are to fill job openings.
“Seasonal staff deserve the same level of preparation and protection as permanent employees,” said Melissa Burke, Vice President, Head of Client Experience & Risk Control at AmTrust Financial Services. “When retailers prioritize safety and thorough onboarding, employees, customers, and the business all benefit.”
This year’s holiday environment adds pressure on both fronts. Consumers remain cautious even as sales volumes rise: holiday retail sales are projected to grow about 4.4 percent year over year to roughly $1.05 trillion, while online spending is expected to top $253 billion. At the same time, shoppers anticipate higher prices and are watching budgets carefully. For retailers, that means heavy foot traffic, high service expectations, and little margin for staffing or safety missteps.
According to AmTrust Financial Services’ guidance on seasonal hiring and retail holiday safety, many businesses describe their need for seasonal workers as “desperate.” But rushing hiring or cutting safety corners can create lasting financial and reputational damage that far outweighs short-term relief. The goal is simple: hire fast without hiring poorly — and train thoroughly without slowing operations.
The Holiday Hiring Challenge
Understanding the Labor Landscape
A persistent labor shortage and the compressed holiday timeline push retailers to fill roles quickly. However, AmTrust emphasizes that urgency should never replace solid hiring practices. With in-store sales still rising and brick-and-mortar locations expecting strong traffic, the quality of seasonal hires matters as much as the quantity.
Three Critical Mistakes Employers Make When Hiring Seasonal Staff
1. Forgetting labor laws still apply: Temporary employees must be treated the same as permanent staff when it comes to workplace safety, discrimination and harassment prevention, wage and hour rules, and applicable benefits. Skipping HR steps because a role is “short term” is a common (and costly) error.
What to do instead: Consult your local labor office for short-term requirements. When in doubt, follow your standard hiring process. The risk of non-compliance is far greater than the time saved.
2. Neglecting background checks: Seasonal hiring moves fast, so some employers skip vetting to shorten time-to-hire. In retail environments with cash handling, inventory access, and constant customer interaction, that shortcut can increase theft, safety, and operational risks.
What to do instead: Maintain your screening baseline. A polished resume isn’t proof of reliability — proper checks protect staff, customers, and your bottom line.
3. Treating safety training as optional: AmTrust loss control experts note that new and inexperienced workers are significantly more prone to injury than full-time employees. The good news: this risk is preventable with the right onboarding.
What to do instead: Prioritize practical, role-specific training. Tailor onboarding around the most common retail workers’ compensation claims so seasonal staff know how to avoid the highest-risk situations from day one.
Creating a Safe Holiday Environment
Holiday crowds increase the risk of injury for employees and customers alike. AmTrust’s holiday safety tips stress that proactive hazard control — inside and outside the store — can prevent claims, reduce downtime, and protect customer experience.
- Train and buddy up new hires: Seasonal workers may not recognize common retail hazards. Pairing them with experienced mentors and reinforcing safety basics prevents mistakes before they become incidents.
- Fire safety and emergency preparedness: Keep fire extinguishers, sprinklers, exits, and electrical panels clear of décor, boxes, and overstock. Holiday displays shouldn’t block emergency routes, even during the busiest weeks.
- Slip, trip, and fall prevention: Use wet-floor signs immediately and clean hazards thoroughly. During snowy months, floors get slick quickly as customers track in moisture. Keep aisles clear of boxes, ladders, or stray merchandise to reduce tripping risks.
- Proper ladder usage and training: Portable ladders are a major source of retail injuries. Train staff on safe setup, placement, climbing practices, and storage.
- Safe lifting practices: Back injuries often come from rushed, improper lifting. Teach employees correct lifting form, set weight thresholds for two-person lifts, and encourage consistent use of carts and dollies.
- Merchandise and stockroom management: Space racks according to federal and state rules and remove empty stands from sales areas. Maintain a well-organized stockroom to reduce repetitive strain and prevent clutter-related injuries.
- Employee theft prevention: Background checks help, but training and oversight matter too. Reinforce loss prevention practices and ensure security cameras and protocols are functioning.
- Outdoor safety considerations: Exterior areas need just as much attention during holiday peaks. Clear snow and ice promptly from parking lots, sidewalks, and entryways. Keep de-icing materials on hand and maintain safe walkways to prevent customer and employee injuries and avoid disruptions.
Looking Ahead
The 2025 holiday season will reward retailers who treat seasonal hiring and safety as connected priorities. A bad hire or preventable injury can cost far more than the time saved by rushing.
By applying the same rigor to short-term hiring as permanent hiring, delivering focused safety onboarding, and staying vigilant throughout the season, retailers can protect their people, reduce liability, and keep operations running smoothly — while delivering a better holiday experience for customers.
To access the full reporting from AmTrust, visit these pages:
