How to Forecast Your Q4 Labor Needs

Written By Barrett Linhoss

How to Forecast Q4 Labor Needs

Peak season doesn’t just happen—it’s planned for. Warehouses and fulfillment centers need to

forecast Q4 labor needs to stay ahead of volume surges and customer demands.’

1. Look Back, Then Ahead

Start with last year’s data—order volumes, staffing schedules, and overtime hours. Use it to set a

baseline, then adjust for growth, product launches, or new clients. Don’t guess—project based on

trends.

2. Get Everyone Involved

Forecasts are better with cross-team input. Talk to sales, marketing, and ops to get the full picture. Use

workforce planning tools or your WMS to translate order volume into labor hours.

3. Build Flex Into Your Plan

Q4 needs flexibility. Relying only on your full-time crew leads to burnout. Supplement with temps, flex

shifts, or on-call workers. Stay lean during slow weeks, and scale up during spikes.

4. Partner with a Staffing Agency

The best plans include a partner. Staffing firms (like Perfecto!) help you build pipelines early and

provide trained workers fast. Get support, replacements, and flexibility without the overhead.

5. Watch for Trouble Spots

Understaffing, late hiring, and high turnover hurt productivity. Start early, simplify training, and be ready

for no-shows. Build buffers and create a backup plan before things heat up.

Need help staffing for peak season?

Contact Perfecto Staffing and let’s make Q4 your strongest quarter yet.

Barrett Linhoss