DISCUSSION
Is appreciation the best gift retailers can give workers this Christmas?
Written by Tom Ryan
Photo: Walmart
According to a survey of small and medium-sized business owners (SMBs), 61 percent are celebrating the holiday season as a way to thank employees.
More than half (54 percent) planned to purchase holiday gifts for co-workers and employees, and 50 percent also planned to host formal or informal gift exchanges. Forty-eight percent planned to host parties for their office during this holiday season. The survey of nearly 2,900 SMBs was conducted from July to September,
While hosting parties and Secret Santa gift exchanges seem appropriate for retailer or vendor headquarters, the events aren't likely to be seen on selling floors. The biggest reason is that stores are too busy during the holiday period.
The fact that many in-store workers are temps is also a factor. The same survey found that nearly one-in-three SMBs (30 percent) indicated they could benefit from hiring temporary employees during the holidays. Of those, 87 percent planned to hire temporary employees, with the majority (37 percent) planning to hire six to 10 seasonal workers.
Office Depot advised hiring seasonal staff to not only help with increased business needs but to allow full-time employees to take time off during the holidays. Office Depot wrote in a release, “Only one-in-four SMBs (27 percent) plan to work during the holidays, which shows that a majority of small business owners understand the benefit of taking a step back to reorganize schedules and prioritize family time.”