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In the United Kingdom, a seasonworker (also called a holiday rep or a saisonaire) is a seasonal worker who spends their summers or winters working abroad for a tour operator.
Overview
A seasonworker can spend up to eight months abroad; as a result, the job is often filled by those on a gap year, students, or those looking for a career break. The jobs are usually low-paid, but accommodation is generally included, as are perks such as ski passes for winter seasons. Seasonworkers usually benefit from much free time, discounts around the resort at which they are based, and the chance to learn about new cultures.[citation needed]
Due to the holiday-like conditions they live in, seasonworkers can have a reputation for being rowdy and irresponsible and encouraging acts such as binge-drinking,[1] an image largely promoted by British television programmes such as Ibiza Uncovered, Ibiza Weekender, and Club Reps. This led to a backlash against many "Brits abroad" holidays by the police and other authorities.[2]
Seasonworkers who work for family camping companies such as Canvas Holidays, Eurocamp, Camping Life, and Keycamp may be somewhat unhappy being associated with the word "rep" and so go by the traditional title of "courier". Being a seasonworker can be enjoyable but there are times when hard work is required, usually on changeover days when everything needs to be cleaned. Also, on many campsites, owners insist that "live tents" are generally situated in the worst location i.e. next to rubbish containers or cesspits.[3]
Some seasonal work, such as sailing and jetskiing instruction, requires staff to attain a qualification.[citation needed]
References
- ^ "Confessions of a club rep | Travel | The Guardian". Archived from the original on June 4, 2011.
- ^ "TV show blamed for Faliraki trouble". Aug 31, 2003 – via news.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ "Season Workers Forum: Transfer Rep". Archived from the original on 2007-01-06. Retrieved 2007-01-08.
