Build a workforce ready for today's UK business challenges.Flexible people. Faster staffing. Stronger operations.
Retailers, hospitality operators and event businesses across the UK continue to face a difficult mix of rising costs, staffing pressures and unpredictable customer demand. FlexyStaff gives employers a modern way to advertise shifts, review applicants and build a flexible workforce around real operational needs.
Businesses across the UK are working through an increasingly difficult combination of rising employment costs, recruitment challenges and changes in customer footfall. For retailers, hospitality operators and event businesses, the challenge is to protect service levels without committing to a fixed staffing structure that may not reflect daily demand.
Recent UK data reinforces the scale of the challenge. The British Retail Consortium reported that total retail footfall in June 2026 was 3.4% lower than a year earlier, while the Office for National Statistics continues to publish weekly and monthly footfall data by location and region. UKHospitality also reports significant workforce shortages across hospitality, alongside sustained pressure from energy, food and employment costs.
Sources: British Retail Consortium, Office for National Statistics and UKHospitality.
These are not simple problems with one universal answer. However, businesses can take practical steps to make their operations more adaptable. One of those steps is reconsidering how temporary, seasonal and short-term staffing requirements are managed.
FlexyStaff has been created to help companies connect with people looking for flexible work. For UK retailers, hospitality venues, event organisers, accommodation providers, warehouses and service businesses, that means having another route through which to advertise opportunities and build a more responsive workforce.
Three pressures facing UK employers
Local businesses need to protect service levels while controlling expenditure and responding to demand that may change from one day, week or season to the next.
Increasing operating costs
Wages, utilities, transport, stock, rates and other overheads can place significant pressure on margins. Efficient workforce planning is increasingly important.
Staffing gaps and absences
Sickness, holidays, employee turnover and recruitment delays can leave existing team members overstretched and customers waiting longer.
Unpredictable customer demand
Footfall can be affected by weather, events, tourism and seasonal patterns, making it difficult to maintain one fixed staffing level.
Flex your workforce around the needs of your business
FlexyStaff allows businesses to advertise temporary jobs, individual shifts and short-term staffing requirements through a digital platform.
Employers can publish opportunities for busy weekends, seasonal demand, staff absence, major events, stock work, promotions or temporary projects.
Businesses retain control over their selection process and can review relevant worker information before choosing suitable applicants.
Explore FlexyStaff for businesses →Advertise urgent opportunities
Publish temporary work when an unexpected gap, absence or increase in demand affects your team.
Review worker profiles
Consider profile information, experience and ratings before making your selection.
Support short-term demand
Recruit for individual shifts, seasonal peaks, holiday cover, events and project-based work.
Strengthen worker confidence
FlexyStaff uses OneID® within its worker onboarding journey to support digital identity verification.
Match workforce planning more closely to actual operational demand.
Build flexibility into your staffing strategy
Flexible staffing does not remove every cost pressure. It can, however, help a business align additional labour more closely with periods when support is actually required.
A retailer may need stock support during a promotion. A restaurant may require more front-of-house workers for a fully booked evening. An accommodation provider might need extra housekeeping support during a major visitor period.
- Plan support around known busy periods.
- Respond to unexpected employee absence.
- Reduce pressure on existing team members.
- Maintain better customer service at peak times.
- Develop relationships with reliable workers in your area.
Better staffing can help businesses make more of busy periods
No staffing platform can create high-street or venue footfall by itself. Retailers, operators, landlords, local authorities and destination organisations all have a role to play in encouraging people to visit, shop, eat and spend.
However, when customers do arrive, the experience they receive matters. A shop that is visibly understaffed, a café with long waiting times or a venue unable to serve customers efficiently may lose valuable sales.
“Flexible staffing can help businesses protect the customer experience when demand increases, without requiring the same additional staffing every day of the year.
This may be particularly relevant around Christmas, school holidays, sporting fixtures, festivals, conferences, concerts, summer tourism, promotional weekends and other high-demand periods.
Flexible staffing across the UK economy
FlexyStaff can support businesses and organisations with temporary, seasonal and project-based workforce requirements across a range of industries.
Retail
Retail assistants, stock support, merchandising, customer service and promotional roles.
Hospitality
Waiting staff, kitchen support, front-of-house teams, bar staff and guest-service workers.
Events
Event assistants, promotional teams, hospitality staff, cleaners and operational support.
Accommodation
Housekeeping, cleaning, reception support, breakfast teams and changeover assistance.
Warehousing
Picking, packing, stock handling, deliveries and short-term logistics support.
Business support
Administration, marketing, digital services, temporary projects and specialist freelance work.
Build your flexible workforce in four steps
FlexyStaff gives employers a straightforward route from creating a company profile to selecting people for available opportunities.
Register your company
Create a business account and add the relevant company and contact information.
Post your requirement
Explain the role, location, dates, hours, responsibilities and required experience.
Review applicants
Consider worker profiles and select the people who best match your requirements.
Manage the shift
Keep opportunities, communication and relevant shift information organised through the platform.
Identity verification supported by OneID®
FlexyStaff works with OneID® to support digital identity verification within its worker onboarding process.
This helps businesses review applicants with clearer information and supports a more structured, professional approach to temporary recruitment.
Identity verification forms one part of the wider recruitment and onboarding process. Employers should continue to complete any role-specific, qualification, reference, eligibility or compliance checks required.
UK employers: join FlexyStaff today
The challenges facing local businesses require practical, modern and collaborative responses. FlexyStaff gives employers an additional way to reach people who want flexible work while helping workers discover opportunities that fit around their commitments.
UK businesses can create a company presence, advertise suitable opportunities and begin building relationships with workers who are looking for flexible shifts in their area.
FlexyStaff for UK businesses
Answers to common questions about using FlexyStaff to recruit temporary and flexible workers across the UK.
Ask the FlexyStaff team →Can UK businesses register with FlexyStaff?＋
Yes. UK businesses can establish a business profile and use FlexyStaff to advertise temporary, shift-based and project opportunities in supported locations.
What types of roles can businesses advertise?＋
Businesses can advertise suitable temporary, shift-based and project opportunities, including retail, hospitality, events, cleaning, accommodation, warehousing, logistics, administration and freelance work.
Can FlexyStaff help with last-minute staff shortages?＋
FlexyStaff provides a way to publish staffing requirements and connect with potential applicants. Response levels depend on worker availability, the role, location, notice and terms offered.
Is FlexyStaff only suitable for large companies?＋
No. The platform can be relevant to independent retailers, cafés, restaurants, hotels, event organisers, accommodation businesses and larger employers.
How can flexible staffing help control costs?＋
Flexible staffing can help businesses align additional labour with specific busy periods, events, projects or employee absences.
Are workers on FlexyStaff identity checked?＋
FlexyStaff uses OneID® to support digital identity verification within its worker onboarding journey. Separate role-specific and compliance checks may still be required.
