Staying Fit
GETTY IMAGES
’Tis the season for holiday hiring announcements, which is good news for folks who need extra cash at the end of the year. However, this year the news is less festive than usual. Outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas predicts that retailers will add 410,000 seasonal positions for this holiday season — the lowest number of jobs added since 2008. Inflation is making it harder for some companies to pass along labor costs to consumers, so those businesses are cutting back on hiring, according to workplace expert Andrew Challenger, the firm’s senior vice president.
Employment website ZipRecruiter is also seeing less hiring for the holiday season in a year in which many retailers cut jobs overall. Some companies are “worried that consumers are showing signs of rising financial strains,” says ZipRecruiter chief economist Julia Pollak. That means some businesses are concerned that consumer spending may be down this holiday season, another reason to trim seasonal hiring.
AARP Membership— $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal
Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine.
Fewer jobs mean that prospective employees may not see the hiring bonuses that companies have offered in recent years to get the help they need. Still, companies like Amazon and UPS are touting pay rates of more than $20 per hour.
However, opportunities are still out there if you’re looking for a seasonal job this year. Here are 10 companies that are adding to their ranks — at least temporarily.
1-800-Flowers Inc.
The parent company of brands such as Harry and David, The Popcorn Factory and PersonalizationMall.com announced that it is hiring 8,000 seasonal workers. The opportunities vary by brand, but the jobs are mainly for roles such as production and gift assembly, contact center, fulfillment center operations and distribution, among others.
Most positions are in the company’s regional hubs in Georgia, Illinois, Ohio and Oregon; however, remote contact center positions are also available. You can learn more about jobs and apply for positions online by visiting the 1-800-FLOWERS.COM Inc. careers page.
Amazon
One company bucking the Grinch-like approach to holiday hiring is Amazon. The e-commerce behemoth recently announced that it is hiring 250,000 full-time, part-time and seasonal workers for the holidays at an average of $20.50 per hour for customer fulfillment and delivery driver positions. Some locations pay an average of $28 per hour.
“Whether someone is looking for a short-term way to make extra money, or is hoping to take the first step toward a fulfilling and rewarding career at Amazon, there’s a role available for them,” said John Felton, Amazon’s senior vice president of worldwide operations, in the announcement. New hires could see a 13 percent pay increase over the next three years if they continue with Amazon, as well as a variety of benefits. For more information about open positions and to apply, visit Amazon’s careers website.
Bath & Body Works
Bath & Body Works is looking for 30,000 seasonal in-store employees for the holidays. Holiday store associates receive “flexible schedules and a 40 percent storewide discount,” according to the company’s announcement. Candidates should apply as soon as possible, and the company says there are opportunities to transition to longer-term roles.
More From AARP
10 Popular Freelance Jobs You Can Do From Home
These remote positions also let you choose how frequently you workNo Degree? That’s No Problem for These Jobs
Many of the positions offer flexible hours and opportunities to work from home
Write a Winning Résumé
Need help updating your resume or preparing for an interview? These tips can help.