The Christmas period brings high pressure on employees, coordinators, and managers. In the fast-paced rhythm of December, when everything feels rushed, you inevitably face the same question: “Which benefits really matter to temporary employees?”
The answer comes from the latest international studies of 2025 — SHRM Employee Benefits Survey, Aon Global Benefits Trends Report, WTW Global Benefits Survey, and Talker Research / Current Holiday Workforce Study. Although methodologies differ, they all converge on the same conclusion: seasonal employees are looking not only for pay but also for predictability, recognition, and small gestures of care adapted to the season.
Discover which benefits have the greatest impact on temporary employees’ motivation, engagement, and retention.
60% of seasonal employees state that their Christmas income is crucial for covering essential expenses, not for “holiday luxuries,” according to the Current & Talker Research Holiday Workforce Study 2025.
Clear and fair pay — including how overtime, weekend bonuses, or special rates are calculated — remains the foundation of motivation. motivatiei.
Many employers recognize that payroll is a major source of operational stress in December: shift changes, high workload, short contracts. Yet, the SHRM Employee Benefits Survey 2025 shows clearly that on-time payment is perceived by employees as a benefit in itself, more important than many other perks.
Flexible Hours and Predictable Schedules
In the WTW Global Benefits Survey 2025, flexibility ranks among the top three benefits sought by part-time and contract employees for the second consecutive year.
Temporary workers need:
- Shifts announced a few days in advance,
- The ability to swap shifts without bureaucracy,
- Clear schedules during peak periods (December 20–24).
Employers may feel planning pressure, but simple tools — internal scheduling apps, communication groups, pre-established rotations — reduce absenteeism and increase engagement.
Flexibility is not a luxury or a “nice-to-have” benefit — it enables seasonal employees to stay productive and present during a period when they are juggling multiple personal responsibilities.
Health Benefits and Seasonal Stress Support
Emotional health is becoming a key retention factor in 2025, even for temporary employees, according to the Aon Global Benefits Trends Report 2025.
During the holidays, stress rises: fast-paced work, impatient customers, long shifts, and high targets all impact mental well-being.
Seasonal employees greatly appreciate even small forms of support:
- Access to counseling or wellbeing lines,
- Short trainings on managing workload,
- Simple solutions to prevent burnout.
Studies show that these micro-benefits reduce errors, incidents, and turnover — even in contracts lasting only a few weeks.
Recognition and Micro-Learning
The SHRM 2025 Employee Benefits Survey emphasizes the importance of immediate recognition: rapid feedback, acknowledgment of performance, and a sense of belonging — even for short-term employees.
Small gestures matter greatly:
- A message of appreciation in the internal app,
- “Employee of the Day” recognition,
- Digital certificate or personalized recommendation at the end of the contract,
- Micro-trainings that help them integrate quickly.
For many seasonal employees, these aspects are more valuable than a bonus. They provide a sense that their work matters and open doors for future opportunities — confirmed by the WTW 2025 report.
Practical Financial Benefits: Transport, Meals, Advances
Although benefits for permanent employees may be difficult to implement for temporary workers, seasonal employees highly value small perks that make daily life easier:
- Travel reimbursement,
- Provided meals,
- Quick payroll advances,
- Holiday vouchers or discounts.
According to the Holiday Workforce Study 2025, benefits that reduce daily expenses are perceived as equally valuable as a salary increase.
Seasonal Benefits – Small Gestures with Big Impact at Christmas
Beyond “technical” benefits (pay, flexibility, wellbeing), 2025 studies — especially SHRM Employee Benefits Survey 2025 and Aon Global Benefits Trends Report 2025 — show a significant rise in demand for seasonal benefits tailored to the winter period. These are perceived as direct gestures of care and recognition during a month when workload and personal demands peak.
Most Appreciated Seasonal Benefits:
Holiday Bonuses or Performance Incentives
Even if companies cannot offer a large bonus, many seasonal employees report that even a small financial incentive (voucher, fixed sum, weekend bonus) makes a real difference. According to the Talker Research Holiday Workforce Study 2025, nearly half of temporary workers consider Christmas bonuses the most motivating non-salary benefit.
Comfort During Shifts
During the season, employees value:
- Free hot drinks (tea, coffee, hot chocolate),
- Snacks during breaks,
- Well-organized relax areas.
These small gestures reduce fatigue and create a warmer, more humane environment when teams need it most.
Symbolic Christmas Gifts
Highly valued even if modest:
- Christmas packages,
- Personalized decorations,
- Manager-written cards
- Small winter pampering kits
The sense of personalized care increases attachment to the employer, even among temporary employees, notes the Aon Global Benefits Trends Report 2025.
Time Off or Shorter Shifts on Christmas Eve
This is especially appreciated by employees with children or extended families. Even a shortened shift on December 24 is seen as a profound sign of respect for work-life balance. Chiar si o tura scurtata in 24 decembrie este perceputa ca un semn de respect profund pentru echilibrul viata–munca.
Team Activities and Inclusion in Festive Events
Temporary employees often feel “outside the team.” To integrate them, invite them to: Pentru a-i integra mai usor in echipa invita-i la:
- Christmas parties,
- Internal raffles,
- Festive competitions,
- Social sessions.
Special Employee Discounts
Whether in retail, hospitality, or logistics, seasonal employees appreciate access to:
- Discounts on company products,
- Special gift offers.
According to SHRM 2025, employee discounts rank in the top 5 non-financial benefits with the greatest impact on seasonal satisfaction.
Temporary employees are not just “seasonal colleagues”; they are people investing hope and energy into these few weeks. 2025 studies clearly show that their motivation comes not only from money, but also from respect, predictability, emotional support, recognition, and small perks that make life easier. Employers who successfully provide these elements not only cover the seasonal peak but also build a strong reputation and a candidate pool that returns willingly in future years.
Doo You Need Guidance on Choosing Benefits for Temporary Employees?
The Smartemp Romania team, with over 13 years of experience in staffing and 10 years working with multinationals, has expertise in managing employee benefits and can advise you in selecting them. We inform you about the costs payable to the state for benefits and prepare all documentation to ensure compliance.
Contact us at office@smartemp.ro or call 0738 662 370.
Sources:
- Aon (2025). Global Benefits Trends Report 2025. Aon Plc.
- Current & Talker Research (2025). Holiday Workforce Study 2025: Seasonal Workers Counting on Holiday Paychecks to Stay Afloat.
- Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) (2025). Employee Benefits Survey 2025.
- WTW (2025). Global Benefits Survey 2025. Willis Towers Watson.