UPS, retailers to hire thousands of temps for holidays
Employers getting serious about filling seasonal jobs
The holidays are barely in sight, but seasonal hiring is about to go into high gear.
Whether it’s dealing with throngs of shoppers or delivering packages to thousands of homes, those businesses that ramp up at the end of the year are talking big numbers when it comes to jobs.
United Parcel Service. The package delivery giant said Wednesday it plans to bring roughly 95,000 workers on board to handle and help deliver all the toys, trinkets and other packages that will start shipping in November and on into the new year.
Toys R Us. The toy retail chain says it is now accepting applications to fill thousands of part-time positions at its stores and distribution facilities. Additionally, it will hold two national hiring days at those locations Oct. 10 and Nov. 11.
Target. The mass merchandiser says it plans to hire 70,000 holiday workers for its stores and 7,500 seasonal workers to help in its distribution and fulfillment centers. For the first time, Target will have hiring events at all its stores Oct. 14-15.
With the national unemployment rate at 4.9%, employers will be watching nervously to see if they can fill those slots.
“There’s not a better time to be part of our company,” Tim Grace, global chief talent officer with Toys ‘R’ Us, said in a statement.
“We’re ready to kick off our annual holiday hiring process and need lots of great people for various positions on all shifts across the country,” Myron Gray, presi- dent of UPS’ U.S. Operations, said in a statement.
Many of the jobs will entail driving or handling packages and will be both part-time and fulltime. UPS officials noted the seasonal jobs could lead to permanent opportunities.
“For many it’s an opportunity to earn some extra cash for the holidays,” UPS CEO David Abney said in the statement. “But ... it can also be a gateway to a career.”
Abney started at the package delivery company, loading trucks part time, as a college student.