SEASONAL UNEMPLOYMENT

By Group 2:
Elise Rodrigues
Giselle Hughes
Jaquiza Chase
Kayla Persaud
Maria Daby
William Escarraga
 WHAT DOES THIS PRESENTATION
DISCUSS?

• The definition of seasonal unemployment

• Examples of seasonal unemployment
• Effects of seasonal unemployment on businesses and/or industries
• Effects of seasonal unemployment on the work force
• Possible solutions to seasonal unemployment
 WHAT IS SEASONAL UNEMPLOYMENT?

• Seasonal unemployment can be identified as suspended or dormant work

during certain time periods during the year, this can be caused by lack of
demand for production and employment in certain industries. 
• Seasonal unemployment can also be defined as a condition
where by employees and their employers agree that they will be hired for
a specific part of the year and after the agreed-upon time has
ended the workers will remain unemployed for the rest of that year. 
 EXAMPLES OF SEASONAL UNEMPLOYMENT

- Costume designing companies. 

• In October many persons participate in the celebration of October, decorations,
costumes ect. are sold worldwide for this purpose, small businesses may decide
to create, design and produce costumes but once Halloween has passed
the company would no longer need to because there would hardly be demand
for the produce, subsequently putting workers out of work.  
-  Election officials.   
• Since elections are held every 5 years, at least 8 people are unemployed for that
period of time. This varies from being a teller to an inspector, in which both are
only required once in every 5 years. This is considered seasonal employment
due to the distance in time that a person will be employed for.  
 EXAMPLES OF SEASONAL UNEMPLOYMENT CONT’D

- Small farming industries, 

• Many farmers collect the most financial income during harvest season, some
crops vitally depend on specific climates, temperatures ect. to grow and fully
mature to become ready for cultivation for example tomatoes, cucumbers, corn
along with many other crops can only be grown in the summer, with the
exception of green houses cultivation which is very expensive. During cold
temperatures these crops are incredibly hard to cultivate naturally, if these
farmers cannot afford the necessary equipment to harvest these crops the farm
can become bankrupt because after the period ends no form of income can be
provided until the next harvest season arrives.  
- Snow plowing
• During the winter seasons there are companies that provide snow removal
services. However once winter has ended there will no longer be a necessity for
this service therefore putting people out of a job 
 EXAMP LES OF S EASONAL UNEMP LOYME NT CONT’D

• Athletes: Many athletes pertaining to such as football and ice skating, have to wait for
certain seasons and time in order to continue their practices. When Ice skating, the
summer heat will make it difficult for the skaters due to some rinks melting for that
time. A similarity between the skaters and football players, is that both are required to
partake in competitions and tournaments. This is considered seasonal unemployment
since when they are not participating for a wage, they will no longer be considered to
have a job. 
• Tourist guides : During the August and Christmas vacations, several families may be
considering a trip to a different country. When in a foreign country, tourist guides make
a living out of exploring popular attractions in that area or city with the customers.
While having a somewhat stable income for that period of time, when school and work
reopens, the business rate would have drastically dropped. This is a seasonal
unemployment because the tourist guides will only be able to work in that specific
career for an appointed amount of time.  
  
• Fishing industry: In the fishing industry, there is a period of time where it is prohibited
to hunt creatures of a specific species or even in an area. This ‘cool down’ process is to
alow reproduction and prevents the extinction of different types of fish. Fishermen tend
to suffer due to their main source of income being on pause. 
 EFFECTS OF SEASONAL UNEMPLOYMENT
ON BUSINESSES AND/OR INDUSTRIES

• Unstable businesses that only surely thrive in certain times are unattractive for
most persons, most persons in the working force aim to acquire permanent or
long-lasting jobs with stable income, while seasonal businesses are dormant
workers have to hunt for other jobs, many workers may opt to discontinue
working at that particular business, without enough workers businesses cannot
function and eventually remain unsuccessful.   
• Seasonal unemployment causes certain businesses to become impotent due to
the discontinuation of work after certain time periods, some companies may
opt to employ new workers while others may not even be able to continue for
the rest of that season. 
 EFFECTS OF SEASONAL
UNEMPLOYMENT ON THE WORK
FORCE

• Personal Hardship:
• Financial - Persons who experience seasonal unemployment will invariably
experience personal financial hardships with the loss of income. This can affect
their entire family if the person is the sole breadwinner of the family. For
example, workers in the agricultural sector whose jobs require them to be
present only during the season that the specific crop is harvested. Persons also
employed in the tourism sector can suffer from seasonal employment as the
demand for their services will decrease in off-peak tourist seasons. 
• Emotional – Persons who experience seasonal unemployment and possess no
other skill will suffer emotional hardship from being unemployed. Such
persons would have to wait until the particular season comes around again to
find another job. 
 EFFECTS OF SEASONAL UNEMPLOYMENT ON
THE WORK FORCE CONT’D

• Less revenue generated within the economy 

• If seasonal occurs on a large scale in a small population it can affect
the amount of revenue being generated through payment of taxes. No
income means no taxes to be paid. Less taxes means less revenue for
the country’s economy. 
• Other examples include:  
• Seasonal unemployment will cause workers to go months with no pay. 
• Workers may not be able to find other jobs for those unemployed
months. 
• Workers may turn to illegal activities to make money.   
 POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO SEASONAL
UNEMPLOYMENT

• Some ways to counter seasonal unemployment are:

Increased production 
• Increasing the production of goods and services in different industries will result in the
provision of jobs for the unemployed. 
 
Population control 
• This refers to ensuring that there are enough jobs for a country or city’s population. The
government could implement a family planning program countrywide. Regular censuses
could be conducted in order to average how many jobs can be or need to be created to
resolve the problem of seasonal unemployment and unemployment as a whole

Promoting education 
• Promoting education and ensuring every person has access to education regardless of age
would allow those with seasonal jobs to receive the knowledge, skill sets and
qualifications necessary to pursue other job opportunities outside of the time spent doing
their seasonal job. 
 P O S S I BL E S OL U T I O NS TO S E AS ON A L
U N E M P L O Y M E N T C ON T ’ D

Practicing crop rotation in the agricultural sector 

• Crop rotation is defined as the practice of growing a series of different types of crops
in the same area across a sequence of growing seasons. This would ensure that the
same plot of land could be used even when one crop is not in season. It would also be
of great benefit to farmers and those involved in agriculture because it reduces soil
erosion and helps provide the soil with nutrients without the use of pesticides.  
 
More aid for the self-employed 
• A large portion of the seasonally employed people are self employed. They may be
growing crops on fields owned by their families or making Christmas decorations.
With aid such as proper technical training or loans provided by the government these
people could learn to use their skills to make a living year-round. 
 
Diversify the economy 
• Industries can come up with ways to use one resource or set of resources to produce
more goods, shifting the economy from a singular source of income to one with
multiple sources. This would allow for increased job opportunities.