This is perhaps the oldest form of seasonal unemployment. Farm laborers are in high demand during planting and harvesting seasons. Once the crops are in, these workers often face months of unemployment until the next cycle begins.
Imagine a luxury ski resort in the Swiss Alps or the Colorado Rockies. During the winter months (November through April), the resort is at peak capacity. To function, it must hire hundreds of employees, including: Ski instructors Lift operators Rental shop technicians Hotel staff and chefs
To understand the scope of this economic trend, let’s look at the sectors most affected by the turning of the seasons.
This is the textbook example of seasonal work. Demand for travel and leisure fluctuates heavily based on weather and school holidays.
In this post, we’ll break down exactly what seasonal unemployment is, look at concrete examples across different industries, and discuss how workers and businesses can navigate these cyclical tides.