Temporary vs. Permanent Staffing in Hotels: Pros and Cons
Hiring the right people is one of the most critical decisions for any hotel operation — and one of the most difficult. With guest expectations at an all-time high and labor markets still tight, many hotel leaders are asking:
👉 “Should we hire permanent staff or rely more on temporary staffing?”
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer — but understanding the pros and cons of each option can help you build a more effective, cost-efficient workforce.
Let’s break it down.
👷♀️ What Is Permanent Hotel Staffing?
Permanent staffing refers to employees who are directly hired by the hotel, usually on a full-time or part-time basis. These team members are on your payroll, receive your benefits (if applicable), and are typically part of your long-term operational plan.
✅ Pros of Permanent Hotel Staff
1. Consistency
Permanent employees often become familiar with your property, your standards, and your guests.
2. Stronger Team Culture
You can invest in long-term training and development, which often leads to better guest service and internal promotions.
3. Easier for Leadership Development
Permanent staff can be groomed into supervisory or management roles.
❌ Cons of Permanent Hotel Staff
1. Slower Hiring & Onboarding
Hiring can take weeks — not ideal during busy seasons or last-minute staffing gaps.
2. Higher Overhead Costs
Payroll taxes, benefits, PTO, and workers’ comp costs add up fast.
3. Less Flexibility
It’s harder to scale staffing up or down based on occupancy, seasonality, or group business.
🔄 What Is Temporary Hotel Staffing?
Temporary staffing means working with a hospitality staffing agency to bring in trained, short-term staff for a set period — for example, banquet servers for an event or housekeepers during peak travel months.
✅ Pros of Temporary Hotel Staffing
1. Speed & Flexibility
Fill open roles in 24–48 hours. Scale up or down based on need.
2. Cost Control
You pay for hours worked — no benefits, no payroll taxes, no PTO liabilities.
3. Covers Call-Outs & Spikes
Temporary staff are perfect for covering sudden sick calls, large events, or peak weekends.
4. Compliance Handled for You
A good staffing agency will handle I-9 verification, e-Verify, workers’ comp, and liability insurance.
❌ Cons of Temporary Hotel Staffing
1. Learning Curve
Temporary workers may need some ramp-up time, though many come trained in hotel procedures.
2. Less Cultural Integration
Since they’re not permanent team members, some properties worry about team cohesion — but that can be managed with proper onboarding and expectations.
3. Quality Varies by Agency
Not all staffing partners are created equal. You need one that specializes in hospitality, not general labor.
🧠 When to Use Each Option
Steady, year-round business → Permanent Staff
Seasonal surges or special events → Temporary Staff
Hiring freeze or budget constraints → Temporary Staff
Leadership development or promotions → Permanent Staff
Emergency coverage / call-outs → Temporary Staff
🤝 Why Many Hotels Choose a Hybrid Staffing Model
More and more properties are finding success by combining both options:
Core team of reliable, permanent staff
Flexible, on-demand labor for weekends, banquets, and high-occupancy periods
This hybrid approach maximizes service quality while keeping labor costs under control — especially when using a hospitality-focused agency like Standout Staffing.
✅ Final Takeaway
The question isn’t “temp or perm?” — it’s “What staffing mix gives my hotel the flexibility and quality I need?”
When done right, temporary staffing is not a risk — it’s a strategic advantage. With the right agency, you get trained, compliant, professional team members who fit your operation and deliver results.
📞 Need to Staff Up Quickly?
Standout Staffing provides hotels nationwide with on-demand housekeepers, banquet servers, stewards, and more — all fully vetted and trained in hospitality.
👉 Contact us here or call (720) 255-1595 to talk about your staffing goals.
🧠 More Helpful Resources: