As September ushers in the festive season in India, the country transforms into a hub of celebration and consumer activity. People flock to the markets in pursuit of festive sales, and homes are adorned with the spirit of festivity. This surge in consumption naturally leads to a surge in demand for blue collar jobs. According to a recent survey by Indeed, the festive season is anticipated to witness a whopping 18% increase in blue collar hiring from July to November. As per the survey, 69% of employers are looking to hire temporary workers and 20% are set to hire gig workers, which include freelancers, consultants, independent contractors etc. to manage the workload during the festive season.

The top in-demand jobs include in-shop demonstrators, logistics and warehousing roles, digital marketers followed by customer and partner seller services, beauty advisors and beauty consultants. Recognizing the invaluable addition of blue collars working during festive season, companies are gearing up to provide benefits that are mostly preferred by candidates.

Here are the top 5 benefits employers are offering to bring festive cheer to their workforce.

• Increased Earnings: The festive season brings with it a significant uptick in earnings for blue collar workers. With the increased demand for goods and services, employers are willing to raise wages to attract the best talent. According to Indeed's survey, a substantial 27% of employers are offering increased earnings during this period. This trend particularly benefits gig workers and freelancers who can capitalize on the higher earning potential.

• Bonuses and incentives: Many employers are extending generous bonuses and incentives to their workforce during the festive season. These bonuses can include Diwali or year-end bonuses and more. Securing employment during this time provides employees with the opportunity to enhance their overall income through these additional financial rewards. Indeed's survey reveals that 17% of employers are offering bonuses and incentives during this period.

• Employee discounts: The festive cheer encourages employers to offer employee discounts on their products and services. As per Indeed’s survey, 14% employers offer employees exclusive discounts during the festive season. By joining the workforce during the festive season, blue-collar workers can enjoy these valuable discounts, which can significantly reduce their personal and family expenses during the holiday period.

• Festive rewards or gifts: The spirit of giving doesn’t stop at financial advantages. During the festive season, some employers go the extra mile and show their appreciation for their workforce by distributing festive rewards or gifts. These tokens of appreciation can range from gift hampers, small electronic gadgets and more. As per the survey, 9% employers provide rewards of gifts during the festive season.

• Performance based appreciations: The festive season often witnesses a heightened focus on performance and customer satisfaction. Employers may reward employees who excel in their roles, thereby promoting a culture of recognition and appreciation. This opens the door for employees to receive performance-based appreciation, which can come in the form of promotions, special recognition, or rewards. Indeed's survey shows that 8% of employers are offering performance-based appreciation during this festive season.

The continuous growth of the gig economy combined with the rising consumer demands during the festive season provides numerous benefits to the blue-collar workforce. Along with compensation, employers provide additional benefits to meet the workforce demand.