Managing holiday stress in the workplace is essential to maintaining a productive and supportive work environment during a busy time of the year for businesses. Business owners and managers should also be sure to consider that employees have diverse holiday plans, traditions, and stress triggers which should be accomodated.
Here are some practical approaches that may help mitigate stress and support employees during the holiday season:
Set Realistic Expectations
Adjust Workloads: During the holiday season, assess and rebalance workloads. Consider extending noncritical project deadlines, if possible, to ensure that work pressure doesn’t add unnecessary stress.
Communicate Priorities: Clearly define essential tasks and prioritize work deadlines to help keep your employees focused on what’s most important to meet business needs. Being transparent reduces confusion and helps employees plan accordingly.
Encourage Time Off
Promote Work-Life Balance: Encourage employees to take advantage of available PTO, vacation time, and business closures to accommodate holiday travel and family obligations. Time off prevents burnout, improves morale, and allows employees to recharge.
Plan in Advance: Ensure adequate staffing in advance to ensure that no one feels overwhelmed and so that the operations can continue to run smoothly. Keeping employees up to date on important news, expectations, and changes in the workplace during the holiday season will help them mentally prepare and reduce anxiety.
Provide Emotional Support
Mental Health Resources: The holidays can be a tough time for some employees, so remind them of available mental health resources, such as counseling services or an employee assistance program (EAP).
Encourage Open Communication: Encourage employees to openly talk about their work challenges. The holidays are a good time of year to have managers hold regular check-ins to help identify issues early on and allow time to put effective solutions in place.
Lead by Example
Model Stress Management: As a leader, demonstrate how to manage holiday stress by respecting your employees’ personal time. Refrain from sending excessive work emails and text messages or calling them outside of regular work hours.
Emphasize Self-Care: Show your employees that it’s ok to take time for yourself. Encourage employees to get up from their desk or walk away from their workstation during their breaks.
Celebrate Achievements
Practice Gratitude: Spread joy and cheer by recognizing employees for their hard work, dedication and growth throughout the year. Use team meetings, company-wide emails, or a celebration board in the breakroom to highlight individual and team achievements. A sincere acknowledgment can go a long way.
Set a Positive Tone for 2025: Encourage employees to think about both personal and professional aspirations, and how the company can support them in achieving those goals. This forward-looking approach can show employees that their contributions are part of a larger purpose and fosters a sense of ownership and commitment.
We hope you have a safe and enjoyable holiday season!
*This article does not constitute legal advice, and does not address state or local law.