Retail and food service industries are in immediate need of skilled seasonal workers, says a recent study by Axonify. The study surveyed managers about their mental health, seasonal staffing ability, and training processes.

More than half of hiring managers said it's more difficult to find workers this year than last, and many managers noted that the quality of seasonal job applicants is less skilled, professional and experienced. On the other hand, employees are actively searching for positions with opportunities for training and upskilling, competitive perks and benefits and flexible work schedules. This may be in part due to economic shifts, which many managers believe has impacted their ability to find workers. Many managers had to revise their job descriptions, dropping education, skill requirements or location-based requirements to net more applicants.