Seasonal work

What it means

Seasonal work is work whose need is tied to a particular time of year and recurs annually. Typical examples are farm work, harvesting, tourism and hospitality in the summer or winter season, construction, and pre-Christmas retail and logistics.

Companies most often hire seasonal staff on a fixed-term employment contract or under agreements for work performed outside employment, such as the student temporary work agreement. Each form has different rules on contributions, working hours and the worker’s entitlements.

Seasonal workers from outside the EU form a special category. Their employment is subject to rules on seasonal work permits, which are time-limited, and the employer must meet conditions including accommodation and notifications to the authorities.

How it works in practice

For clients with seasonal peaks, we plan staff costs in advance. We compare whether a short employment contract, a work agreement or agency work is more advantageous, taking into account the total contribution burden and administration.

With fixed-term contracts, remember the limits on repeated renewal. The Labour Code allows certain exceptions for seasonal work, but the seasonal nature of the job must be demonstrable and described in the contract.

Accurate attendance records are essential for seasonal work, especially with irregular, night or weekend shifts. They are the basis for calculating supplements and overtime and, for work agreements, for checking the maximum hours allowed by law.

What to watch out for

A common mistake is taking on seasonal workers “on trial” without a contract or registration with the insurers. That is illegal work, carrying heavy fines and in some cases exclusion from public procurement or subsidies. Workers must be registered before they start.

With foreign nationals, the risk is the wrong type of permit or work outside its scope, such as for another employer or after the season ends. The employer is responsible for checking documents and notifying the labour office of the start and end of employment within the statutory deadlines.