8 Simple Steps for Maintaining Employee Efficiency during the Holiday Season

This time of year is busy for us all: with last minute shopping, preparing for and entertaining house guests, and traveling to visit friends and family, the holiday season can take a toll on us all. With so much to do and such little time to do it in, it’s difficult to concentrate on anything else. As a result, work often gets put on the back-burner.With all the hustle and bustle, employees typically feel overwhelmed and can become easily burned out. These symptoms can lead to a significant decrease in performance and mental energy, as well as an increase in frustration, absenteeism and even turnover. With holiday distractions and employee stress being a major culprit of employee inefficiency during the holiday season, employers need to be creative to ensure company goals continue to be met.

But, how can you look out for the best interest of the company without taking away from the holly jolly spirit of the workplace? Below are some tips to get the most out of your employees this holiday season:

1. Tie bonuses to performance. Year end bonuses are a tradition in many organizations – an extra some employees have come to expect. But this year, why not consider making employees work for their year-end bonuses? When rewards are tied to job performance, employees are more likely to put forth the effort and produce quality results. On the contrary, when employees come to expect bonuses “just because” their performance is likely to remain marginal.
2. Set an example. You can’t expect employees to give 110% if your managers are distracted by last minute shopping and are using work time to make plans for the holidays.Managers are role models and have a strong impact on employee performance and productivity. Show your dedication and employees will likely follow.
3. Live and learn. Did productivity suffer last holiday season? Pinpoint what went wrong and develop strategies to ensure you don’t go down the same road this year. Maybe last year’s culprit was due to added pressure to meet year-end goals or a lack of flexibility in allowing employees to meet outside obligations. Whatever the reasons were for last year’s inefficiency, don’t let history repeat itself.
4. Host holiday activities. Help employees to un-wind, de-stress, and have a little fun this holiday season by hosting company parties or events. Doing so demonstrates the company’s appreciation for its workers and increases employee commitment to the company. Participation in company events also enables employees to let loose and think about something other than work and holiday to-do’s. If holiday activities are on your company’s agenda this year, consider scheduling them during normal business hours to avoid conflicting with an employee’s outside obligations.
5. Reward, reward, reward. Recognition can go along way in boosting motivation and morale. Simple forms of recognition such as praise, thank you notes, and the like show employees you appreciate their dedication and hard work. These forms of appreciation can drive employee productivity even during the typical holiday lag.
6. Give the gift of time. Allow employees to take a few hours one day to catch up on last minute shopping or other personal obligations. Employees will feel less stressed and when they return their spirits will be renewed. This simple perk can go a long way in fostering increased commitment and in demonstrating your support for your employees’ personal lives.
7. Set realistic expectations. Holding employees to unrealistically high standards this time of year is likely to only increase stress levels. Try to make an effort to schedule major projects once the holiday season has wound down. The last thing you want is a burnt-out staff, come the New Year!
8. Be flexible. Consider alternative work schedules to accommodate employees during this busy time of the year. For example, offer flextime opportunities such as a condensed workweek (i.e. four 10 hour days) or allow employees to choose their hours, as opposed to working the typical nine to five. This enables employees to complete their job responsibilities on their own terms and often results in increased performance. Employees taking advantage of flexible work schedules also tend to experience less stress because they are able to more easily meet their personal obligations.

This time of year is full of distractions. But before chalking it up to be the “status quo”, there are some minor adjustments that can be made to work schedules and management styles that will allow employees to remain productive amid the holiday rush. Let this holiday season by a happy and productive one!