3 Minute Read
Though the holiday season brings plenty of reasons to be merry, it can induce stress among workers. It becomes more difficult to keep employees engaged and healthy as they juggle their workloads, buying gifts, holiday parties, spending time with family and staving off the winter blues.
Although companies are particularly busy preparing for the year-end, it is a great time to shift focus to team members and workplace wellness to help workers maintain healthy habits during the holidays and drive sustainable improvements.
By acknowledging the unique stressors of the festive season, companies not only demonstrate their commitment to employee health and wellbeing during the holidays, but they also have a plan in place to address top concerns and pain points their employees likely experience this time of year.
Read on for three tips to help employees cultivate better work-life balance, improve emotional wellbeing, and reduce holiday anxiety.
- Acknowledge employee mental health and burnout
According to the American Psychological Association, U.S. adults feel joyous but overwhelmed during the holiday season, as nearly nine in 10 (89%) say that concerns such as not having enough money, missing loved ones and anticipating family conflict cause them stress at this time of year. Companies should allow their teams to take the time they need to reflect and recharge. Employees need to feel that taking time away from work won’t negatively affect their job performance. To counter this unhealthy expectation, employers need to demonstrate how they value and respect their employees’ desire (and need) to take a break or have more flexibility during the holidays.
Employees who feel they have “permission” (without penalty) to take time off are more likely to return to work restored with increased loyalty and job satisfaction. For a lot of employees, emotional wellbeing and physical health come to mind, which is why employee wellness programs are effective and appreciated.
- Practice self-awareness
Empathy and understanding are good starting points for every coworker, no matter what level of employment. More and more companies are prioritizing diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Put that into action by being aware of employees who feel their culture doesn’t reflect the traditional holiday season and/or celebrate the religious holidays. While employers may not know everything about their employees and should respect their privacy, this is a perfect time to get to know the people who show up and contribute to the success of the business. Who knows, maybe you’ll start recognizing more impactful ways to manage teams and increase productivity.
- Express appreciation and gratitude
Ask yourself a question. Does your company take the time to celebrate the people making things happen in your organization? Considering the anxieties all workers experience throughout the year coupled with the added pressure during the holidays, it’s clear a display of gratitude from employers is needed to help foster a healthy and supportive workplace culture.
Think about all the time, energy and teamwork it has taken to achieve both individual and organizational goals. A quick shoutout can go a long way in developing strong employee morale and retention, while making others feel appreciated. Applying a framework for recognition and gratitude could be the inspiration your team needs.
There is no doubt that the holidays can be stressful for both employees and businesses alike. By implementing a wellness program, companies can put many of these tips into practice and ensure their employees feel seen and heard, proactive, and happy within the workplace.