Set your peak and off-peak trading weeks, then add each role with its weekly hours and hourly rate for both periods. The tool projects your total annual staffing cost and shows the split between peak and off-peak spend.
| Role | Peak Hrs/Week | Off-Peak Hrs/Week | Hourly Rate | Annual Cost |
|---|
Most seasonal operations run on a mix of a smaller core team retained year-round and additional seasonal staff brought in for peak weeks. Modelling both periods separately, as this tool does, makes the true annual cost of that mix visible rather than relying on a single average figure.
Seasonal recruitment for peak periods (particularly kitchen and front-of-house roles in tourist and coastal locations) should typically begin 8–12 weeks before the peak season starts, given competition for seasonal staff across the sector.
Retaining good seasonal staff across the off-season — through reduced guaranteed hours, off-season bonuses, or simply staying in regular contact — reduces recruitment and training costs the following peak season.
Seasonal roles often carry a training cost in the first few weeks that reduces productivity below a fully trained core team. Factor a modest additional buffer into peak season costings for this ramp-up period.
This calculator provides estimates based on the figures you enter. JWBIZ Ltd accepts no liability for staffing or financial decisions made on the basis of this tool.