seasonal unemployment

Seasonal Unemployment

Unemployment due to lack of demand during certain times of the year. For example, an agricultural worker may not be needed between the harvest and the next planting. Likewise, a restaurant in a resort town may reduce the number of wait staff after the busy season is over. Seasonal unemployment may lead some to pursue another career in the off-season or may lead others to a different place to look for jobs. See also: Migrant worker.

seasonal unemployment

see UNEMPLOYMENT.

seasonal unemployment

UNEMPLOYMENT associated with changes in the demand for particular products at different seasons of the year; for example, strawberry pickers at the end of the summer season; store ‘Santa Clauses’ at the end of the Christmas period. The incidence of seasonal unemployment will depend on whether people can be easily and rapidly redeployed to other activities, which in turn depends on the availability of alternative jobs and people's own range of skills and willingness to take alternative work.