Turn down the heat: hire summer temps to cool workforce pressures

With summer in full swing, it’s not just the weather heating up – stress levels are also reaching boiling point for many employees across Ireland. Our 2025 Hays Ireland Working Well Report uncovers that the leading work-related issue negatively impacting employee wellbeing is high workload, cited by almost half (49%) of respondents. Evidently, cranking up the air-con won’t be enough to keep your workforce cool, calm and collected this summer.

Amid seasonal surges, increased annual leave and ever-mounting barriers to securing permanent talent, hiring temporary staff may just be the solution to your summertime struggles.

Be prepared for seasonal demand… and post-summer lulls

Sectors like retail, hospitality, tourism and logistics often face peaks in activity over the summer months. Temporary staff provide the flexibility to boost headcount quickly without the long-term commitment of permanent contracts. With thoughtful planning, you can build a reliable seasonal team that supports critical operations and winds down when demand eases.

If business slows once the summer rush fades, your workforce should reflect that. By bringing temps on board with a clear end date in mind, you maintain agility in adapting headcount to match demand – without the complications of overstaffing. Unlike permanent hires, temps offer a cost-effective way to avoid redundancies or role reshuffling during quieter periods.

Allow your employees to truly unwind during annual leave

Annual leave, whether used to jet off to another country or enjoy some time to relax at home, is vital for recharging the batteries of your employees. When that’s interrupted by work emails and ‘quick tasks’, your employees will find it difficult to truly disconnect. This is a relatively widespread issue, with our research finding that almost a third (31%) of professionals struggle to switch off from work while on annual leave.

This feeling of having to be ‘always-on’ can lead to resentment, burnout and even resignations. With it being likely that a larger proportion of your workforce will be taking annual leave throughout the summer months, it’s important that their workload is adequately covered. This is where temps step in. Not only will they give your out-of-office workers peace of mind and reduce feelings of pressure to check in, but it can also ensure that any permanent employees who are working aren’t left feeling hot and bothered from covering multiple workloads.

Strengthen your short- and long-term talent pipeline

Temporary talent brings fresh thinking, diverse backgrounds and quick adaptability. Whether you’re starting a new project or enhancing digital capability, temps can plug skills gaps instantly. And with 84% of employers having faced difficulties recruiting permanent staff over the past year, according to our Ireland 2025 Salary & Recruiting Trends Guide, sourcing temporary staff may be a less challenging and time-consuming pursuit.

What’s more, hiring temps doesn’t have to just be about short-term coverage – it can also be an opportunity to discover future star performers. Many temps transition into permanent roles, offering businesses a chance to assess cultural fit and performance before fully committing. As hiring challenges mount, this ‘try before you buy’ approach can give you a competitive edge in the long run.

Boost team morale and collaboration

The arrival of temporary staff can inject renewed energy into your team. Bringing in new faces with fresh experience from different organisations can spark new ideas, encourage collaboration and lift morale during a demanding time of year. For permanent employees who may be feeling stressed or under pressure, knowing support is available helps reinforce a positive culture of collaboration and teamwork.

Hiring summer temps is a smart business move

In a season where workloads rise and stress levels soar, temporary hires can offer much-needed relief. From covering annual leave to flexing around demand, temps can help protect your team’s wellbeing and stay ahead of workforce challenges. Whether you're after short-term support or scouting future permanent talent, the summer temp market can deliver specialist skillsets, flexibility and timely support.

Want access to the most sought-after temp talent this summer? Get in touch with our experts, who are on hand to guide your hiring strategy and help you to secure skilled temps.