Gift Basket Business Blog

Preparing Part-Time Holiday Employees

December 11th, 2006 at 04:01pm Lorie Obernauer

You’ve hired a few people to help out over the holidays. It’s already getting busy and they haven’t even started. So what do you want them to do?

Make your part-timers a valuable part of your team. Before they start working, here are some things you can do to help them do their best.

1. Think out exactly what do you want them to do.

• List the specific tasks that you expect them to carry out. It’s not enough to say: “shipping”. You need to list all the things that are involved in shipping (packing, weighing boxes, labeling, etc.)
• Talk to your full time employees to find out where they think some extra hands would be a help.

2. Once you’ve identified the specific tasks, write down all of the skills and knowledge that are required to do that task.

• For example, if you want a part-timer to pack baskets for shipping, she needs to know what packing supplies will be used, where all the supplies are kept, how to wrap and pack to reduce the possibility of damage, how to tape and label the package, and so on.
• If you want a part-timer to answer the phone and take orders, she has a lot more to learn! She’ll need to know about the products you carry, the specific designs you’re offering, questions to ask (name, address, phone, etc) and much more.

3. Set aside time on the employee’s first day to explain everything you want them to do…and explain in detail!

• Then, set up a training schedule and teach all the specific tasks that make up the job you expect them to do. You don’t need to do all of the training. Your full time staff has lots of experience and know-how that can benefit your part-timers.

4. Make sure she knows how to find answers to questions that may arise: where to go or who to ask.

Preparing for part-time employees can be a time consuming project. But the time it takes to train them properly will save lots of time and energy during those extra busy holidays.

Entry Filed under: Business Tips