How To Survive Holiday Down-Time as a Labour Hire Worker

While working for a labour hire company is a blessing in many ways, one instance where planning ahead should be noted is the two week period during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.  Most recruitment agency clients will have a hiatus during these two weeks, so there will most likely be a period of downtime to be prepared for and that includes the everyday items you may not have considered.

First and foremost, plan ahead where your pay is concerned.  In all likelihood there will be no income for this two week period so plan ahead where expenses are concerned and these are the regular expenses you encounter each month for housing, monthly bills, groceries, etc.  But, with the holidays upon us, planning for those extra expenses is important as well.  That’s where a budget comes in and although most people find them difficult to work with, during this time a budget will be your best friend as it will enable you to still meet your requirements but also allow for allotted funds for gifts and holiday celebrations.

If you plan to do some work around the home, it’s important to remember your personal safety.  According to experts, most accidents occur in or around the home and a large portion of those are related to home repair and maintenance.  Most recruitment agencies actively ensure their employees are well-trained in safety-related matters whilst in the workplace, and this is a great opportunity to take that training and apply these same measures in the home.

Some things to keep in mind are to use proper safety equipment, eliminate distractions, safety check all equipment before use, lift with your legs not your back, double check all cutoffs, and observe all recommended safety rules.  When working with electricity always double check to see the main switch is off and the number one thing to remember is to use common sense and never be in a hurry as haste creates accidents.

Maybe there’s no to-do list waiting for your attention and you will be enjoying some much needed rest and relaxation.  If that’s the case here are a couple of tips to help you get the most out of the sun-filled days ahead.  First, remember it is the holiday season and there will be more foot and vehicle traffic during this period.  Plan ahead and give yourself a little extra time in order to cut down on the headaches of holiday shoppers and traffic which can only decrease your enjoyment. 

Second, don't forget to pack the sunscreen and plenty of water.  Nothing can kill the enjoyment of Christmas quite as much as a sunburn creating pain and discomfort and hydrating will reduce the effects of the sun as well.  Enjoy the beautiful weather and the beaches, but just use caution to protect yourself.

If you will be traveling over the holidays, maybe to visit friends or family, remember social media may be fun in sharing your memories but it may also be an invitation to strangers.  Be sensible about what you post on social media because not all those watching or following have your best interests in mind.  Be smart about posting travel plans as potential burglars could be watching, waiting to know who will be home and when, reducing their chances of being caught in the act.  It is also likewise when it comes to photos.  Use caution posting photos of Christmas trees and gifts as it acts as an invitation and may make you or your family a target for holiday crime.  Enjoy the season with friends and family, just be cautious when sharing with others you may or may not know for your own protection.

Naturally a part of this season involves shopping and it may be a large portion of your time will be spent purchasing gifts for loved ones.  If you will be spending much of your downtime as a jolly elf, there are some suggestions which could be helpful to you, especially if you are not a happy shopper and do not enjoy the crowds or high-stress situations.  Try to purchase your gifts online to reduce the amount of time to be spent in the stores; you may find much of what you are looking for is available from the comfort of home.  Plan the hours of the day you will spend shopping as there are times, even during the holidays, when the crowds are thinner.  Don’t wait until the last minute to take care of the folks on your list, start early and shop in increments to reduce stress and last minute panic. 

Finally, plan to spend time if you will be out on the road doing your shopping.  There will be crowds and queues and long waits and planning ahead will reduce stress as well.

Two weeks to relax and enjoy the holidays can be a blessing but a curse as well.  Although these tips may not cover all the possibilities; using these and more than a dose of common sense will carry you a long way and help you survive the holidays.