Why Delayed Decisions Hurt Peak Season Output

September arrives, and warehouse managers everywhere face the same critical decision: when to start building peak season teams. Many delay hiring until October or November—there were 494,000 new hires during these months in 2023.¹ Companies tend to think this cautious approach helps control labor costs, but it often backfires, creating operational chaos precisely when efficiency matters most. 

Peak season hiring delays set off a domino effect that extends far beyond understaffing. Late decisions push companies into reactive mode, scrambling for workers when competition is fiercest and quality candidates have already signed elsewhere. 

However, smart operations start workforce planning early, securing talent before the hiring frenzy begins. This proactive approach prevents the costly mistakes that plague organizations that wait too long. 

What Happens When You Wait Too Long? 

Delayed hiring creates multiple operational problems that compound as peak season approaches. 

The Candidate Pool Shrinks Fast

By October, experienced seasonal workers have already committed to early-moving employers. Waiting until the last minute leaves you competing for whoever’s left—often less qualified or far more expensive. 

Many of the best workers return to the same employers year after year, forming loyalty ties that late-starting companies can’t easily break. Early planners enjoy the advantage of reliable, proven talent. 

Your Current Team Pays the Price 

Delays in staffing leave current employees carrying the weight, which often results in both physical fatigue and emotional burnout. In fact, the American Psychological Association reports that 79 percent of workers link these outcomes directly to workplace stress.² 

So, what looks like cost savings on hiring quickly becomes expensive through premium pay rates and burnout. Morale also suffers when employees feel abandoned during the busiest season. Workers who see poor planning cut into their work-life balance often look for employers who value them more. 

How Delays Hurt Operations 

These staffing gaps don’t just affect employees—they undermine efficiency, accuracy, and the customer experience at the exact moment when performance matters most. 

Productivity Takes a Hit 

Understaffed teams struggle to keep pace with peak-season demand. Processing times rise, accuracy slips, and training suffers as seasoned workers are too busy to properly mentor new hires. The result is lower efficiency just when productivity should be highest. 

Read more: Surviving Peak Season: A Tactical Guide to Scaling Your Warehouse Workforce Without Sacrificing Efficiency 

Customer Satisfaction Drops 

Labor shortages cause shipping delays and fulfillment errors. During peak season, these mistakes cost more than money—they damage customer relationships and future sales. HubSpot backs this up, reporting that 90 percent of customers expect immediate responses.³ 

Even well-prepared businesses can stumble if staffing falls behind demand. Recovering from disappointed customers can take months, often costing far more than the labor that could have prevented the issue in the first place. 

When Should You Start Hiring? 

The good news is that the timing of seasonal workforce planning can make the difference between chaos and control. 

The Sweet Spot for Seasonal Planning 

While August is often the ideal time to start workforce expansion, it’s never too late to strengthen your peak season strategy. Acting now—before volumes hit their highest point—still gives you an advantage over competitors who continue to delay. 

Even in November, employers who move decisively can secure quality candidates, onboard them quickly, and prevent last-minute chaos. The key is to act immediately, not wait until conditions worsen. 

Read more: From Overwhelmed to Optimized: How to Solve Seasonal Workforce Challenges in Warehousing 

Building Your Advantage 

Organizations that hire early consistently outperform those that wait. Early hiring delivers operational stability, budget predictability, and stronger customer service. It also attracts higher-quality candidates who prefer employers with clear, organized plans. 

Read more: Building a More Diverse & Inclusive Warehouse Team: Practical Steps for Employers in Logistics and Distribution 

The Role of Strategic Staffing Partnerships 

While timing is critical, many companies also benefit from outside expertise to simplify the seasonal hiring process and strengthen outcomes. 

The Job Center Staffing specializes in proactive seasonal workforce planning. Our early engagement approach ensures clients have trained teams in place before peak season begins. 

We provide forecasting, candidate pipeline development, and flexible staffing solutions that adjust as needs evolve—helping clients avoid the premium costs and performance setbacks of last-minute hiring. 

Hire Early with The Job Center. 

With the right timing and support, peak season success becomes repeatable year after year. Planning ahead ensures you secure strong teams before demand surges—avoiding the premium costs, low-quality candidates, and operational chaos that come with last-minute hiring. 

The Job Center takes the guesswork out of seasonal staffing with early planning, rigorous screening processes, and ongoing support throughout your peak period. We help you build teams that perform consistently, stay longer, and contribute to operational success from day one. 

Schedule your seasonal staffing strategy session today. 

References 

1. “Retail Trade Holiday Employment Buildup and Layoff, 2017–2024.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 25 Sept. 2024, www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2024/retail-trade-holiday-employment-buildup-and-layoff-2017-2024.htm. 
2. Abramson, Ashley. “Burnout and Stress Are Everywhere.” American Psychological Association, 1 Jan. 2022, www.apa.org/monitor/2022/01/special-burnout-stress. 
3. Chinn, Alana. “The Top 5 Most Important Customer Service Standards, According to Consumers.” HubSpot, 11 Sept. 2024, blog.hubspot.com/service/customer-service-standards.