The holidays are upon us, and many people are looking to take time off to relax, travel, and spend time with loved ones. For some, it’s a time for joy and celebration; for others, it can bring feelings of isolation or uncertainty. It’s also a time when workplace flexibility becomes especially important.
Below are a few tips to help both managers and employees navigate the season smoothly.
For Managers
Set clear expectations early.
Be clear about goals and objectives for the next few weeks, and set priorities for what needs to be accomplished before the holidays. Set criteria for days allowed for flexibility before and after a critical holiday and communicate that with employees. Try to be fair to all employees and considerate of different cultural and religious activities. Some employees may want flexible hours or compressed workweeks so they can have extra days off by working longer hours on predetermined days.
It’s a time to raise morale.
Tie morale to open communication about availability, and make sure to be transparent with your team members and managers. When communication is above board, no one feels left behind or loses accountability. If you allow an employee flex time before or after a holiday, the expectations around availability and accountability should be predetermined. If an employee is working from home, you can still ask when they may be needed for communications.
Have a holiday office party, if possible.
All organizations have different budgets or traditions for celebrating with coworkers. Try to supplement these events with partial food contributions from the organization—even a few pizzas or desserts may go a long way. Use this time to let staff get together, share food, play games, and relax in the office environment for a few hours. Think about having this celebration after a big meeting or upon completion of a project. Use the opportunity to recognize achievements and celebrate milestones.
Have check-in times if needed.
Schedule short check-ins or updates if needed. These quick touchpoints help teams stay aligned without overloading everyone’s schedule.
Plan for coverage with cross-training.
As employees take time off, ensure essential tasks are covered. Identify key responsibilities and make sure more than one person knows how to perform them. Planning ahead helps maintain productivity and reduces stress for everyone during this busy time of year.
For Employees
Set boundaries.
If you are taking time off from work, try to truly disconnect. Avoid mixing work and vacation—it’s better for your mental health and creativity to take a full break. This is a good time to decompress and have uninterrupted time away from work.
Set up family expectations.
If certain days require flexibility or limited availability, let your family and friends know beforehand so everyone is aware of your schedule.
Be appreciative of your organization’s approach to flexibility.
Verbalize your appreciation either in writing or verbally during group meetings.
Be kind and inclusive.
Seek out colleagues who may feel isolated—those who don’t have a strong family network, are new to the organization, or seem less outgoing. Empathy is a valuable and impactful quality, especially in the workplace. Don’t get too personal, but make an effort to help your teammates feel included and appreciated.
By being flexible with time, we can build a loyal and engaged workforce. Remember, the job market is fluid and unpredictable right now. A little holiday cheer and goodwill can go a long way in giving your team a sense of hope and motivation to stay with your company.
Interested in flexwork consulting? We can help with hybrid, telework and other flexwork arrangements to fit your unique business needs. Reach out to our team at telework@GaCommuteOptions.com. Happy holidays!