Workers proactively choose jobs, choose shifts
During Tet, the demand for labor in the fields of services, retail, restaurants, hotels, delivery, event organization... increases sharply. However, not all workers are willing to work throughout Tet. Faced with this reality, many businesses allow workers to register for working shifts by day or by time frame, instead of rigid assignments as before.
Mr. Nguyen Van Thang, a waiter at a restaurant chain in Cua Nam ward (Hanoi), said that this year he only registered to work for the first three days of the year, then took leave to return to his hometown.
The restaurant allows employees to register for a shift in advance, whoever works a lot receives a lot, whoever works a little is not forced. This is both comfortable for the spirit and proactive income. Especially, on peak working days but with few registered employees, the restaurant offers special welfare policies to attract more employees to work," Mr. Thang shared.
For young workers, especially students and part-time workers, this model is even more effective. They can take advantage of working a few extra shifts to increase income, but still keep time for family, study or rest.
Mr. Nguyen Hoang Huy - a 3rd year student at the Banking Academy chose to work part-time at a hotel in the Old Quarter from December 28th to the end of January 5th.
This is a hotel I have been working part-time for a while, the income is not too high, but 90% of staying guests are foreigners, so I have the opportunity to communicate and improve my English proficiency. Last year I did not register to work throughout Tet, but this year the hotel has full rooms registered for groups of guests from Europe. In addition to staying, we also support guests with ancient town tours, heritage visits... so I asked my family for permission to stay and work throughout Tet," Mr. Huy said.
Also registering to work throughout Tet is Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan - a worker at Minh Ngoc Export & Trading Co., Ltd. (Phuong Liet ward, Hanoi). According to Ms. Lan, her company won a large export order, so it announced early to employees to register to work throughout Tet.
“Although the order is urgent and the quantity is large, the company does not force or "supply" us to go to work, but based on the spirit of voluntariness. However, the Tet holiday welfare policy is very attractive, so most brothers and sisters in Hanoi register to go to work. We are registered to choose shifts, choose hours suitable for each person's schedule and personal conditions,” Ms. Lan said.
Businesses self-adjust to avoid personnel shortage
On the business side, flexible shifts are not only a temporary solution but have become a short-term personnel strategy for Tet 2026. Instead of trying to keep enough troops at all costs, many units accept adjusting the scale of operations, focusing on peak hours, and at the same time increasing the recruitment of seasonal workers.
Mr. Le Trung Quan - human resources manager of a retail company said: "If employees are forced to work throughout Tet, the risk of them quitting their jobs after Tet is very high. We let workers choose shifts themselves to help businesses maintain a stable team, even if they have to manage more personnel.
Mr. Nguyen Dinh Bon - Director of Tung Anh Mechanical Manufacturing Company (Ngoc Ha ward, Hanoi) said that at his business, he also applies an incentive mechanism: anyone who registers for difficult shifts, night shifts, shifts on the 1st and 2nd of the lunar month will be paid higher salaries, with hot bonuses per day. Thanks to that, the labor shortage problem is partially solved without creating too much pressure on employees.
Flexible working models during Tet contribute to improving labor relations. When workers have the right to choose, they feel more respected and trusted. This helps reduce stress, limit the mentality of "being forced to work Tet" that has existed for many years. On the business side, listening to the needs of workers also helps build a positive image, increasing the ability to retain personnel after Tet - a time when a wave of resignations often occurs," Mr. Bon said.
Also according to Mr. Bon, "FLEXIBLE Tet" reflects the general trend of the modern labor market: putting workers at the center, increasing proactiveness and balance between work and life. "FLEXIBLE Tet is not only an immediate solution to the problem of human resource shortage, but also a test for how businesses treat workers. When flexibility comes with transparency and respect, both sides benefit: businesses maintain stable operations, and workers have more choices to celebrate Tet in the most suitable way for themselves," Mr. Bon added.
