{"id":6893,"date":"2018-11-15T11:37:36","date_gmt":"2018-11-15T19:37:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.knowledgecity.com\/blog\/?p=6893"},"modified":"2024-04-16T14:17:40","modified_gmt":"2024-04-16T21:17:40","slug":"relieve-holiday-stress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.knowledgecity.com\/blog\/relieve-holiday-stress\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Ways Managers Can Relieve Holiday Stress"},"content":{"rendered":"

Work-life balance<\/a> is an ongoing battle throughout the year. But the holiday season sets<\/a> end-of-year work deadlines and obligations on a collision course with a flurry of festive activities from family and parties to shopping, travel and more. These additional layers of pressure and holiday stress can make \u201cthe most wonderful time of the year\u201d anything but.<\/p>\n

\"Business<\/p>\n

Then, just as suddenly as they arrived, the holidays are done. After cleaning up the yuletide\u2019s decorative wrappings, employees return to a mountain of work they meant to finish before the holiday break but couldn\u2019t find the time. Every year, they vow that they\u2019ll manage better next year \u2013 that next year will be different \u2013 only to repeat the cycle again and again.<\/p>\n

Managers, supervisors and leaders can make it easier for employees to experience the joy of the holiday season by revamping office traditions like the company holiday party.<\/p>\n

Management intends this annual celebration to be meaningful and fun. However, employees often view it as just one more obligation on top of their already hectic schedule. In fact, an OfficeTeam survey <\/a>found that only 36 percent of workers described their holiday office party as entertaining. Almost the same number of professionals (35 percent) felt resoundingly negative about the event.<\/p>\n

This doesn\u2019t mean managers should be rushing to cancel holiday office cheer. But a different approach to celebrating the holidays at the office can help employees feel the event is worth their time.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. \n

    Start With the Office Party to Stop the Holiday Stress<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Founder and CEO of LeadMD, a marketing and sales consultancy firm, Justin Gray springs for an annual holiday weekend at a local resort instead of an office party. The company even covers travel expenses for remote team members and their significant others to attend.<\/p>\n

    \u201cIt\u2019s a great team-building exercise, and it lets people know that we care,\u201d Gray told Workforce<\/a><\/em>. \u201cI think of everything we do for our teams as an investment. If you want the best from your employees, you have to create experiences where they feel appreciated.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Obviously, a weekend resort getaway isn\u2019t an option for many companies. But hosting a low-key gathering before the holiday break is also a good option. This is how Susan M. Heathfield, owner of software company TechSmith and management consulting firm Heathfield Consulting Associates, spreads <\/a>holiday cheer at work.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWe decided a long time ago that the holiday season is the absolute worst time of year to have a company party,\u201d Heathfield said. \u201cIt\u2019s so hard to get people together. They just don\u2019t have the time. Plus, they would rather spend what time they do have with their family and friends.\u201d<\/p>\n

    According to Heathfield, TechSmith closes for the holidays at noon on Christmas Eve. Then, the company hosts a casual lunch at a local restaurant for any employees who wish to attend, as well as their families. However, the company pulls out all the stops in February.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWe hold an extravagant party to celebrate our company\u2019s founding birthday,\u201d Heathfield said.<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. \n

      Give Employees a Break from Holiday Stress<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Many organizations are now closing their offices between Christmas and New Year\u2019s Day. Both Gray and Heathfield support this as a fantastic employee morale booster that helps with recruitment and retention. According to Gray, he has received copious notes of appreciation from employees over the years for this gesture despite already having an unlimited paid time-off policy.<\/p>\n

      Gray has a suggestion for companies that can\u2019t close during the December holiday to create a win-win for staff and customers.<\/p>\n

      \u201cConsider providing a \u2018floating week\u2019 option that can be used around Thanksgiving, during the Christmas holiday season, or during the summer,\u201d Gray said. \u201cThere are low productivity valleys in every business. You can capitalize on them to provide big value for your team while still providing great service to your customers. Just be sure to clearly communicate to your teams the number of staff who can be off at a given time.\u201d<\/p>\n

      Furthermore, year-round flexible scheduling practices also help workers maintain a healthy work-life balance, reducing not just holiday stress but pressure all year long.<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. \n

        Wait Until the New Year to Reflect on the Old<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        It\u2019s logical to reflect on accomplishments from the past year and set goals for the new year at the end of December. However, managers could benefit from waiting until after January 1 to get into the numbers and develop strategy with their employees. However, they also still need to maintain some balance, as returning from vacation to a heavy workload can be especially stressful.<\/p>\n

        Rather, managers should plan an organizational restaurant outing in early January to celebrate the new year and prepare for the first quarter. This celebration could even take the place of the traditional December event to alleviate employees\u2019 holiday stress.<\/p>\n

        After employees have had a chance to catch up, the conversation should transition over to business with management outlining the organization\u2019s annual objectives.<\/p>\n

        \u201cGoal setting is important at both the individual and departmental level,\u201d Heathfield said. \u201cEmployees also need to see where their job and goals fit into the bigger picture.\u201d<\/p>\n

        However, it\u2019s also important to make sure the atmosphere remains \u201cpositive, uplifting and forward-looking.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        Work-life balance is an ongoing battle throughout the year. 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