BY YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR COUNCIL for INC.
The final quarter of the year is often one of the most difficult for managers of any business. On top of vacations and time off, there are likely to be absences due to sickness, weather events, and even stress. This can wreak havoc on your plans and cause additional strain on the remaining team members.
I have to take the threat of these problems seriously in my industry of custom home construction due to the strict order in which many tasks have to be done and the number of specialists involved. I’ve worked for many years to adapt my management style so that I can be ready for this time of year. Here are four tactics that have been effective for me that you can apply too.
1. Encourage Employees to Take Leave Before the Crunch Season
Some of your employees may need to take the exact holidays off due to plans and family obligations. However, others may have more flexibility. One great way to reduce the threat of short-staffing is to encourage these employees to get their leave out of the way before everyone else.
This can have several benefits. First, it will make scheduling leave much easier for you to manage. Rather than trying to find a fair solution that matches all employees, only those who need leave most during the holidays will need to be accommodated.
Second, the employees who do take their leave early can enter this tough season more refreshed and invigorated. As a result, it’s often easier for these employees to maintain their morale, and this can impact all of your other employees.
It may also be appropriate to offer incentives for these employees depending on how essential it is that they be available in the later months of the year. I find it effective to match the incentive to the employee, especially when their help is really needed. Gift cards, extra time flexibility, and public recognition can all help an employee feel more appreciated for making this sacrifice for the team.
2. Prioritize the Necessary
Smart scheduling isn’t likely to be the only solution to your problems. Not all leave requests can be accommodated, and even if they are, the employees who are working will be under a lot of stress. You can help them manage this by prioritizing what’s most necessary about your workplace policies and offering flexibility.
Think about ways you can adapt your workplace policies to create less hassle for stressed employees. Maybe meetings could be made shorter during this time. Maybe employees should be allowed to work from home or from other locations with more flexibility. Maybe the dress code could be relaxed. There’s a lot you can do to remove minor stresses from the workplace.
3. Keep Your Eyes Open for Burnout
During the holidays, work isn’t going to be the only source of stress in your employees’ lives. That’s why you should be watching closely for signs of burnout, even after you’ve taken care of concerns like scheduling leave. Practice awareness of your employees and their moods. If you see someone struggling, try to address it immediately and work on personalized solutions before it becomes a more serious problem.
4. Express Appreciation Often
You’ll need to ask a lot of your employees during the holiday season. That’s why it’s important that you show your appreciation as often as you can. Small acts of gratitude and support can make a massive difference in the overall mood of your workplace.
Appreciation can take the form of small gifts (like premium coffee for the breakroom), public acknowledgments of your employee’s efforts, or extra flexibility for those who have earned it. Demonstrating patience can also be a great way to reassure employees who are dealing with heavy workloads.
I encourage you to implement these strategies to make the holiday season more manageable for everyone. In my experience, it can help you and your team avoid unexpected delays and reduce strain overall. Remember to schedule wisely, focus on what matters most, watch for burnout, and express appreciation. You and your team can get through this!
