By TERESSA GENETTI-SCOTT
teressa@du2.byu.edu
For Sandie Greene, office manager at Hickory Farms in the University Mall, 'the most wonderful time of the year' translates into the busiest time of the year.
The only way Greene can cope with the high demand of Christmas shoppers is to hire temporary help, which she said is becoming more difficult each year.
'It's becoming harder because places like McDonalds are starting around $7.50 an hour. We usually start at minimum wage, and sometimes it is hard to compete, especially since we are very particular about the way we sell,' said Greene, who started out as Christmas help at Hickory Farms.
About two weeks before Thanksgiving, Greene began the annual hiring process. She said it is always an added bonus to find an applicant who is seeking for more of a benefit than a little Christmas cash.
Greene said Hickory Farms offers an intensive training program that can be beneficial in any sales job.
'It's almost a win/win situation for both of us, especially for those individuals that can see the potential for gaining good sales experience,' said Green, who said it is not uncommon for a good temporary employee to become a permanent employee.
Each year Greene hires about 10 new employees to do floor sales at the Orem store, and another six to do phone orders from around the country.
For larger stores, the high number of Christmas help can make the hiring process itself a little crazy.
Debrah Rodriguez, human resource manager for ZCMI at the University Mall, said depending on the size and location of a store, it is not uncommon for 100 to 200 new employees to be hired for the Christmas season.
'For Christmas, things sometimes get desperate. It's not so much quality as availability. It's more if they are willing to work and what times.' she said.
The Christmas rush also puts a great demand on the need for trained managers. For many permanent associates who fill these types of temporary positions, this can be a way to put a boost in their holiday paycheck.
Jennifer Fordham, a sales associate at Kay-bee Toy & Hobbie in University Mall, moved up to a managerial position for the holiday season.
In October, Fordham helped to hire 13 new associates which more than tripled the store's normal staff.
Because of the high demand for employees, Fordham said the store is not too picky in hiring Christmas help. She said the major requirement is that employees work the day after Thanksgiving.
'Everyone worked the day after Thanksgiving, except one boy because it is so busy,' Fordham said.