From PTO Gaps to Holiday Traffic: How CRE Teams Can Survive the Season
- bberrodin
- 22 minutes ago
- 3 min read
The final months of the year bring a unique set of challenges for commercial real estate (CRE) teams. Between vacation requests, seasonal traffic spikes, and year-end operational demands, keeping properties fully staffed can feel like trying to solve a moving puzzle. Yet, with proactive planning and smart workforce strategies, CRE teams can navigate this period smoothly and ensure seamless operations.
A Holiday Staffing Guide for CRE Teams
1. Anticipate PTO and Leave Gaps Early
Holidays, personal time off (PTO), and end-of-year vacations can create staffing gaps that disrupt property operations. Start by gathering PTO requests as early as possible. This allows managers to identify coverage shortages in advance and adjust schedules accordingly.
Tip: Consider staggering time-off requests or offering incentives for employees willing to work during peak holiday periods. This ensures essential roles, from leasing staff to maintenance teams, remain covered.
2. Identify Core vs. Flexible Roles
Understanding which positions are mission-critical versus those that can flex is key. Core roles, like property managers, leasing agents, and essential maintenance staff, should always have coverage. Variable roles, such as seasonal maintenance support or temporary leasing assistants, can be filled on demand as traffic and occupancy fluctuate.
Tip: Maintain a “ready-to-deploy” roster of temporary or contract staff to fill these variable roles without overburdening your core team.
3. Leverage On-Demand Staffing Solutions
Temporary staffing isn’t just for short-term projects; it’s a strategic tool for year-end readiness. CRE teams can scale staff quickly to handle holiday traffic, move-ins and move-outs, or special events.
Tip: Partner with a staffing provider familiar with CRE operations, like BGSF! We can supply trained personnel who can integrate quickly and hit the ground running.
4. Use Data to Predict Staffing Needs
Historical occupancy trends, maintenance requests, and leasing activity provide a roadmap for staffing decisions. By analyzing past year-end data, teams can anticipate spikes in activity and allocate staff accordingly.
Tip: Implement scheduling tools that forecast staffing needs based on these trends, so your team isn’t reacting to crises at the last minute.
5. Communicate and Cross-Train
Transparent communication with your team ensures everyone understands year-end expectations and coverage plans. Cross-training employees in multiple roles, such as leasing, administrative, or maintenance tasks, can also provide flexibility when unexpected absences occur.
Tip: Even small cross-training efforts pay off during peak holiday periods, reducing bottlenecks and keeping operations running smoothly.
6. Plan for Resident-Facing Traffic
The holiday season often brings increased foot traffic, package deliveries, and service requests. Ensuring that front-desk staff, maintenance, and leasing teams are prepared for these surges prevents service delays and maintains resident satisfaction.
Tip: Temporarily augment your front-desk and maintenance teams during historically busy weeks, and consider technology solutions for package management or self-service check-ins.
A Plan for Happy Holidays
By planning early, leveraging on-demand staff, analyzing data, and preparing for seasonal surges, CRE teams can stay fully staffed from PTO gaps through peak holiday traffic. The result? Smooth operations, satisfied tenants, and a team that can finish the year strong without burnout. External staffing support can be a game-changer. Whether it’s filling temporary roles, cross-training, or supplementing during peak times, having a flexible workforce solution ensures your property operations stay seamless through year-end.
Don’t let PTO gaps or holiday traffic slow you down. BGSF provides ready-to-deploy talent to keep your properties fully staffed and your residents supported. Let’s strategize your year-end workforce plan.