Holiday Shutdowns & Skeleton Crews: Smart CRE Staffing Strategies During Low-Occupancy Weeks
- bberrodin
- 42 minutes ago
- 2 min read
The holiday season can be a double-edged sword for commercial real estate (CRE) property managers. On one hand, it’s a festive time when staff and tenants alike deserve a break. On the other hand, reduced occupancy, seasonal closures, and unexpected maintenance emergencies can put pressure on already lean teams. Successfully navigating these weeks requires strategic planning to maintain property operations without overstaffing or burning out your team.
Understanding the CRE Staffing Challenge
Low-occupancy weeks around holidays often mean:
Fewer tenants in offices, retail centers, or industrial spaces
Reduced service requests, but occasional urgent maintenance needs
Higher likelihood of absenteeism due to staff vacations
Critical systems (HVAC, security, plumbing) that cannot pause
Without proactive planning, these factors can lead to delayed responses, unhappy tenants, and increased costs.
Proactive Planning
1. Plan Ahead With a Skeleton Crew in Mind: Identify the minimum staff required to maintain essential operations. For most CRE properties, this includes:
Security personnel or front-desk staff
Core maintenance staff capable of handling urgent repairs
Property management oversight for emergencies and tenant communications
Creating a formal skeleton crew schedule helps everyone understand expectations and avoids last-minute staffing scrambles.
2. Leverage On-Demand or Temporary Staff: Seasonal low-occupancy weeks are ideal for supplementing your core team with flexible, temporary staff. On-demand professionals can:
Fill gaps during unexpected absences
Support maintenance tasks or front-desk coverage
Reduce overtime for full-time employees
Working with a staffing partner allows you to scale up or down quickly without long-term commitments.
3. Communicate Early and Clearly: Transparent communication is critical for both staff and tenants:
Share holiday schedules with tenants in advance to set service expectations
Notify staff of required shifts and on-call rotations well before the season
Provide clear instructions for emergency procedures
Early communication reduces confusion and ensures coverage during key operational windows.
4. Prioritize Maintenance and Inspections: Before a holiday shutdown, conduct proactive inspections of:
HVAC and electrical systems
Plumbing and fire safety equipment
Security systems
Addressing potential issues ahead of time minimizes emergency calls during low-occupancy periods.
5. Use Technology to Stay Connected: Even with a reduced team, technology can help maintain operations:
Remote monitoring for building systems and alarms
Automated work-order tracking for maintenance requests
Digital communication platforms for staff coordination
Smart tech reduces the need for large crews while ensuring property safety and tenant satisfaction.
6. Evaluate and Adjust for Future Seasons: After the holidays, review your staffing performance:
Which coverage strategies worked well?
Were there any service gaps or emergencies that could have been avoided?
How did temporary staffing impact cost and efficiency?
Use these insights to refine your holiday staffing plan year over year.
Be Proactive This Holiday Season
Holiday shutdowns don’t have to mean chaos or overworked staff. By combining skeleton crews, on-demand staffing, proactive maintenance, and technology, CRE managers can maintain operational excellence even during low-occupancy weeks. Strategic planning not only keeps tenants happy but also ensures a smoother, more predictable holiday season for your team.
If you need flexible coverage, skilled maintenance support, or dependable front-desk and security staffing, BGSF is here to help. Our CRE workforce solutions scale to your seasonal needs, keeping your buildings safe, your operations smooth, and your tenants supported. Connect with BGSF today to build the right holiday staffing plan for your portfolio.