Tips For Holiday Workplace Wellness

With the holiday season rapidly approaching, most of us are eager to take time off work. However, a recent survey found that stress levels rise by 38% during the holidays. What factors are causing this level of dissatisfaction? And how can we use our jobs to make us feel better? Here are a few workplace wellness suggestions for a more enjoyable and stress-free holiday season.

 

Recognize employee mental health and burnout

Hopefully, we've all realised how critical it is to talk about and address mental health and employee burnout. Let's be honest: it's been a long two years. You and your work colleagues, family, and peers have been through a lot recently. Take a moment to reflect and acknowledge that trauma exists and that we are all recovering from something. According to global staffing firm Robert Half, more than four in ten employees (44%) are burned out on the job today than a year ago. Health experts should lead these conversations and advise your management team and managers. Understanding and sympathy are excellent starting points for any coworker, regardless of the level of employment.

Employee burnout signs and symptoms Here are some typical symptoms that members of your team (or you) are approaching the dreaded burnout:

• Fatigue

• Errors have increased.

• Decreased efficiency and energy consumption

• Motivation has been reduced.

• Working harder with fewer results

How are your organisation and team assisting burnt-out employees? Is there already a plan to address workplace wellness, or is there still room for improvement? The holiday season can strain employees' mental health and capacity. Include ongoing discussion and possibilities for coworkers to express their emotions and any changes they would like to see implemented.

 

Be honest with yourself about employee accessibility and output

Even though the year is (finally) ending, there can still be a lot of deadline squeezing and annual planning to go around, even among the holiday treats and tunes. Make every effort to be careful and aware of the volume of effort that needs to be completed as well as the potential of each team member. Are you more concerned with company culture or metrics and continuing to increase efficiencies?

It's true that the coming months will be hectic, but recognising tasks other than Zoom meetings, KPIs, and projects will go a long way toward promoting overall wellness in your workplace.

Companies should also clearly communicate and have a good understanding of and regard for the time required to refill with family and friends over the holidays.

Expect a drop in productivity, especially around the holidays. More than two-thirds of employees admitted to being less productive in December, with nearly half admitting to doing 10-20% less work. Many employees will be preoccupied with celebration preparation tasks such as shopping, running errands, or organising plans with friends and family.

 

Show gratitude for your coworkers and community

Isn't it true that the gift of giving feels better than the gift of receiving? While giving can come in many forms, the holiday season is an excellent time to reflect on all you've accomplished this year.

Consider the time, effort, and encouragement required to achieve your objectives. Do you recognise the people who make things happen in your organisation? A simple thank you can go a long way toward fostering a positive workplace culture and ensuring that others feel valued. Increasing work engagement can be a difficult task. 

Using a framework for acknowledgement and appreciation could be the motivation your team is looking for. Look for the ways and places where your teams interact regularly. Arrange how to curate constructive criticism and distribute praise, so it is identifiable and accepted.

 

Employee recognition issues associated with remote work

The rise of remote work has made it even more difficult for leaders and coworkers to connect outside their regular activities. Executives and managers are also under pressure to meet growth expectations, adapt to new workplace environments, and recognise individuals who make a difference. Here are some statistics to consider when evaluating the importance of employee acknowledgement in a remote world.

• According to a Gallup poll, employees who do not feel recognised are twice as likely to quit within the next year.

• According to a survey conducted by SurveyMonkey + Bonusly, 63% of recognised employees are very unlikely to look for a new job.

• Customers were more loyal and satisfied with companies that used effective employee recognition - SmartRecruiters

 

The most effective ways to give back to your community

Is your team involved in a holiday volunteer project every year? Is there a giving committee in your company that looks for ways to make a difference? These are some ways businesses want to stay active in their neighbourhoods and affect change. Employees are enthusiastic about opportunities to give back to factors that cause organisations with company support during the holiday season.

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