Managing Seasonal, Leased and Temporary Employees: Reducing Risk at Golf Courses and Country Clubs

Golf courses and country clubs depend on seasonal and temporary employees to manage events, maintain grounds and deliver great experiences during peak seasons. While this workforce flexibility supports operations, it introduces safety, compliance and liability challenges that can quickly impact your bottom line.

Seasonal employees often have limited training, higher turnover and varying levels of experience. These factors can increase the likelihood of accidents or non-compliance with labor laws. In leased or temporary staffing arrangements, uncertainty over who holds liability, your club or the staffing agency, can further complicate claims and insurance coverage.

Training and Onboarding

Training should extend beyond basic orientation. Temporary employees must receive safety instruction specific to their role, whether it involves landscaping, equipment operation or food service.

• Conduct role-specific training before work begins
• Reinforce safe handling of tools, carts and chemicals
• Review emergency procedures and reporting protocols
• Assign mentors to monitor and guide new staff during their first weeks

Strong onboarding ensures that short-term workers meet the same safety and service standards as full-time employees, reducing the risk of incidents and turnover.

Supervision and Workplace Oversight

Seasonal staff need consistent supervision to maintain performance and safety standards. Designate supervisors to monitor high-risk tasks and verify that safety protocols are followed. Create open communication channels for employees to report hazards or near-miss incidents early, and document all reports for future loss control and insurance purposes.

Workers’ Compensation and Liability

When leasing workers or partnering with staffing agencies, liability can be complex. It’s essential to confirm who is responsible for coverage in case of an injury. Review all service contracts to:

• Verify which party maintains workers’ compensation insurance
• Ensure certificates of insurance are current and compliant
• Document roles and responsibilities for safety training and reporting

This proactive approach prevents disputes and delays if an incident occurs and ensures coverage applies to every worker on-site.

Strengthening Risk Management with Insurance

Even the best prevention plans can’t eliminate risk entirely. A strategic insurance program safeguards your club against unexpected claims and coverage gaps. Key areas to review include:

• Workers’ compensation: Confirm coverage for all categories of staff, including part-time, temporary and leased employees
• Employment practices liability insurance (EPLI): Provides protection for claims such as discrimination, wrongful termination or harassment
• General liability: Protects against third-party injuries caused by staff or contractors
• Contractual risk transfer: Defines insurance and indemnity obligations between your club and staffing providers

Building clear procedures and maintaining strong insurance protection helps clubs manage staffing flexibility without sacrificing safety or compliance.

Partnering with an insurance broker who understands the golf and hospitality industry ensures your program is aligned with the unique risks of your workforce. Contact Alliant today to strengthen your safety strategy and protect your operation year-round.