Updated November 8, 2026. This article was written in mid-December 2024 for managers bringing on seasonal staff during the holiday rush. It reflects ABC’s Thanksgiving 2024 reminder and ABC’s RBS guidance. A note on later holiday guidance appears at the end. It is general information, not legal advice.
New faces at the busiest time of year
December brings holiday parties, banquets, gift shopping, and year-end celebrations. Many restaurants, hotels, caterers, and stores respond by hiring seasonal staff or pulling in people from other roles: a host who helps at the bar, a banquet server borrowed from a sister property, a stock clerk covering the register in a liquor aisle. Those temporary team members often work the most demanding shifts with the least experience.
On November 27, 2024, the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) asked licensees to check identifications closely to prevent underage drinking during Thanksgiving weekend and noted it is partnering with the California Office of Traffic Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration through the holiday season. ABC Director Joseph McCullough said, “ABC licensees play a vital role in protecting our communities by carefully checking IDs and preventing customers from being over-served.” This guide focuses on making sure seasonal staff can do exactly that.
Know which rules apply to which role
On-premises servers
ABC’s RBS FAQ defines an alcohol server as anyone who checks customer identification for alcohol service or entry to an on-premises licensed establishment, takes alcohol orders, pours alcohol, or delivers alcohol to customers. A seasonal banquet server who carries wine to tables, or a host who checks IDs at the door, fits that definition.
ABC says alcohol servers and managers have 60 days from their first date of employment to become RBS certified. A seasonal employee who works only a few weeks may never reach the 60-day mark, but that does not reduce the licensee’s responsibility for how they serve. Many managers choose to hire certified servers or have seasonal staff certify before their first shift. A server already certified with another employer keeps that certification, because ABC says certification applies to the person, not the employer. See our RBS renewal guide for checking expiration dates.
Catered events
ABC’s FAQ says catered events are an extension of a permanent on-sale licensee, so their servers must already be RBS trained and certified, and if a caterer hires additional help for an event, the licensee must ensure those individuals are certified before serving alcohol. Holiday catering crews should be verified in the RBS Portal before the event.
Daily licenses
For nonprofit holiday events operating under a daily license, ABC’s FAQ says the 60-day grace period does not apply to daily licenses, and at least one RBS-certified person must be present to oversee alcohol service for the entire event.
Off-sale clerks
Seasonal clerks at liquor stores, markets, and gift shops that sell alcohol are not covered by RBS, but they face the same prohibition on selling to minors under section 25658. ABC’s free LEAD program is designed for off-sale staff. See our LEAD guide.
A one-page onboarding sheet
Seasonal staff absorb a lot in a short time. A single page covering alcohol rules is more useful than a long manual. Include:
- The house ID policy, such as checking anyone who appears under 30.
- Acceptable forms of ID and how to read the birth date quickly.
- The reference date: the latest birth date that makes a guest 21 today.
- Signs of intoxication to watch for and the rule that no one is served once obviously intoxicated, as required by section 25602.
- Who to call for help: the manager on duty, by name and phone or radio channel.
- The refusal script and the promise that managers will back refusals.
- Last call and closing times.
Pair new staff with experienced ones
A seasonal server’s first shift should not be the company holiday party for 300 guests. Where possible, schedule new staff on smaller shifts first, and pair each with an experienced server or bartender for the first few nights. The experienced partner can model ID checks, step in for refusals, and point out guests who need attention.
Holiday-specific risks
Hosted bars
When a company or family is paying, guests may drink more freely, and hosts may pressure staff to keep pouring. Agree on rules with the host in advance and give seasonal staff a clear way to bring in a manager. Our hosted bar guide covers these events in depth.
Mixed-age gatherings
Family celebrations and community events often include minors. Seasonal staff should know never to serve a drink handed back by an adult for a younger guest, and to watch for drinks passed across tables.
Gift purchases at the register
Retail clerks may see more adults buying alcohol as gifts, sometimes accompanied by teenagers. The purchaser’s ID is what matters, but clerks should decline if it appears the alcohol is being bought for a minor.
Late nights and long shifts
Tired staff make mistakes. Build breaks into long holiday shifts and rotate staff off the door or bar when possible.
Getting guests home
ABC’s Thanksgiving release urges the public to designate a sober driver or use public transportation or ride-hailing services. Seasonal staff should know how to help: where the rideshare pickup area is, how to call a taxi, and that designated drivers receive free soft drinks if that is the house policy. Our nonalcoholic drinks guide has ideas for appealing options.
Verify, then schedule
Before placing any seasonal server on the schedule:
- Collect their Server ID and verify status in the RBS Portal using a license administrator account.
- Note the expiration date on your roster.
- Walk them through the one-page sheet and confirm they understand it.
- Assign an experienced partner for their first shifts.
After the season
When the holidays end, take a few minutes with managers to review what worked. Which seasonal hires would you bring back? Were there refusals, incidents, or near misses? Did the onboarding sheet answer the right questions? Notes from December make next year’s hiring easier.
A scenario at a hotel banquet
A hotel hires six seasonal banquet servers for December. The banquet manager verifies each server’s RBS status in the portal; two are certified, and four begin training immediately and are scheduled on smaller events while they complete certification. At the largest party, each new server works alongside a veteran. When a guest asks a seasonal server to bring a glass of wine to his teenage nephew, she declines politely and tells the captain, who speaks with the host.
Training that fits a short season
Seasonal staff do not need a semester of training, but they do need the essentials before their first shift. A focused 30-minute orientation can cover:
- ID practice. Hand each new hire a few sample IDs, including expired and vertical-format examples, and have them find the birth date and calculate age using the posted reference date.
- Refusal practice. Role-play a refusal with a manager playing a persistent guest. Practice once is better than none.
- Intoxication cues. Review signs to watch for and what to do: slow service, offer water and food, and bring in a manager.
- Where to get help. Walk the floor so new staff know where the manager station, first aid kit, and exits are.
Communicating expectations to hosts and guests
Seasonal staff are less likely to face pressure when expectations are clear before the event starts. For private parties, share the venue’s alcohol policies with the host in writing: IDs are checked, minors are not served, service stops for guests who are obviously intoxicated, and last call is at a set time. For public events, signs at the bar stating the ID policy help staff point to a rule rather than make a personal judgment. Clear expectations protect new staff and give them confidence to apply the rules.
Recognizing good work
A seasonal employee who correctly refuses a sale or flags a problem deserves recognition. A quick thank-you from a manager in front of the team reinforces that refusals are part of the job, not a failure of hospitality. Recognition also makes it more likely that the same employee will want to return next season, bringing experience back with them.
Scheduling with the 60-day window in mind
Because ABC’s 60-day period runs from the first date of employment, managers should record each seasonal hire’s start date on the roster. If a seasonal employee stays past the holidays, which happens often, the 60-day deadline may arrive in January or February, when attention has moved elsewhere. Set a reminder at day 30 and day 50 for anyone not yet certified. ABC notes that certification can only be completed online and that training generally takes between 90 minutes and four hours, so it is realistic to finish early in a short season. Seasonal staff who certify now also carry that certification to their next job, since it applies to the person.
Checklist for the first shift
- Server ID verified and expiration noted.
- Onboarding sheet reviewed and signed.
- Experienced partner assigned.
- Manager on duty introduced by name.
Keep a copy of this checklist with each seasonal hire’s file so managers on later shifts can see what has been covered.
Seasonal staff also benefit from knowing what not to do. Remind them never to drink on shift, never to accept drinks from guests, and never to let a guest pour their own drinks from a hosted bar. Simple boundaries like these protect new employees as much as they protect the license.
Frequently asked questions
Does the 60-day RBS period apply to seasonal staff?
ABC describes the 60-day period as running from the first date of employment for alcohol servers and managers. It does not apply to daily licenses, according to ABC’s FAQ.
Do catering helpers need RBS?
ABC says licensees must ensure additional catering help is certified before serving alcohol.
Do retail clerks need RBS?
RBS applies to on-premises service. Off-sale clerks can take ABC’s LEAD training.
Current context as of November 8, 2026
ABC issued a broader holiday season release on December 23, 2024, after this article was written, again asking licensees to check identification and not over-serve. ABC issues similar reminders each year. Check ABC’s current RBS FAQ for the latest rules on certification timing.
The bottom line
Seasonal staff carry the same legal responsibilities as everyone else on the floor. Verify certification, give them a one-page guide, pair them with experienced partners, and back their refusals, and the holiday rush stays festive and safe.
Certify Seasonal Staff Fast
Short seasons still need trained servers. ServeTrain’s ABC-approved online RBS course helps California seasonal servers and managers certify quickly and serve responsibly. Before enrolling, register or log in to your RBS Portal account with ABC and confirm your chosen course appears in the portal’s training provider search.
Sources
- ABC: Prevent DUIs This Thanksgiving Weekend (Nov. 27, 2024)
- ABC: RBS Frequently Asked Questions
- California BPC 25658
- California BPC 25602
- ABC: LEAD Training
- ABC: Holiday Season Release (Dec. 23, 2024, current note)
This article is general information, not legal advice.
