Planning Ahead: How to Get Holiday Cover Right This Summer

As the summer months approach, annual leave across teams becomes inevitable. While this is entirely predictable, the impact on day to day operations is often underestimated.

This is where temporary recruitment plays a critical role. Rather than reacting to gaps as they arise, many organisations are taking a more proactive approach, using temporary support to maintain continuity, protect productivity and ensure teams remain fully supported during periods of absence.

Holiday cover is one of the most common and valuable applications of temporary recruitment. 

Yet without forward planning, even short periods of leave can disrupt workflows, slow decision making and place additional pressure on already busy teams.

The difference between a smooth summer and a disruptive one often comes down to how early and effectively temporary cover is put in place.

Why holiday cover is often underestimated

Holiday leave tends to be viewed in isolation, one individual away for a week or two. However, when multiple team members are absent at the same time, the cumulative impact can be significant.

This can lead to:

• Delays in delivery and decision making
• Reduced responsiveness to clients and stakeholders
• Increased pressure on remaining team members

Over time, this not only affects output but can also impact morale and overall team performance. A considered approach to temporary recruitment helps mitigate these risks by ensuring support is in place before pressure builds.

The risks of leaving it too late

One of the most common challenges is timing.

When holiday cover is arranged at short notice, options can become limited. This often results in:

• Reduced access to high quality temporary candidates
• Minimal time for effective handovers
• A more reactive and less considered hiring process

Engaging with temporary recruitment partners (like us!) early allows for a more measured approach, ensuring the right support is in place before gaps begin to affect the business.

What effective holiday cover looks like

Well planned cover is not simply about filling a gap, it is about maintaining continuity.

Effective holiday cover typically includes:

• A clearly defined scope of responsibilities
• Time allocated for a structured handover
• Alignment on priorities and expectations from the outset
• A candidate who can integrate quickly and operate with confidence

When supported by a well-managed temporary recruitment process, this enables individuals to add value from day one rather than requiring significant oversight.

Where temporary support adds the most value

Temporary recruitment can be particularly effective in roles where continuity and responsiveness are critical.

This includes:

• Supporting senior individuals who require consistent assistance
• Managing high volumes of coordination or administration
• Acting as a central point of contact for clients or internal stakeholders

In these situations, having reliable cover in place ensures that standards are maintained, even during periods of absence.

Common mistakes to avoid

There are a few recurring pitfalls that can reduce the effectiveness of holiday cover:

• Under briefing the role or responsibilities
• Prioritising availability over suitability
• Assuming any cover will be sufficient
• Not allowing time for onboarding or knowledge transfer

Taking a more strategic approach to temporary recruitment helps avoid these challenges and leads to more effective outcomes.

How VWA supports clients

With extensive experience supporting organisations across a wide range of sectors, VWA works closely with clients to ensure temporary cover is both effective and well aligned.

This includes:

• Providing access to experienced, immediately available candidates
• Carefully matching individuals based on both skills and environment
• Supporting the briefing and onboarding process to enable a smooth transition

The focus is always on ensuring continuity, minimising disruption, and maintaining standards throughout periods of absence.

Final thoughts

Holiday leave may be predictable, but the disruption it can cause does not have to be.

By planning ahead and taking a considered approach to temporary recruitment, organisations can maintain productivity, support their teams effectively, and ensure a consistent experience for clients and stakeholders.

If you are reviewing your resourcing plans for the summer months, VWA would be delighted to support you.

This article was shared by: Felicity Ambler, Head of the Temporary and Contract Division.