5 top tips for combating the employee January blues

January, a time when many of us are suffering from the effects of excessive festive spending, overindulgence and a return to festive-free nights.

Coming back to work after the festive season is a time when employees need to be motivated most. The prospect of waking up early again, facing December’s credit card bill and living up to New Year resolutions is hardly motivating.

So it’s not surprising that so many employees return to work in January feeling unmotivated, struggling to focus and lacking in energy. They have the January blues, which can have a knock-on effect when it comes to productivity and enthusiasm.

The January blues affects nearly half (45%) of all employees, with females being affected more than males: 47.2% of female and 42.4% of male employees were affected.

A study by consultant firm Mercer found that the highest level of sick leave is in January and 35% of all sick leave is taken on a Monday. This lead to the term ‘Blue Monday’ being coined, falling on the third Monday of January, it is when everything is supposedly at its most depressing and we’re likely to be at our lowest ebb.

However, for HR professionals and employers there are plenty of ways they can help their employees. There are a number of HR and wellbeing initiatives, which if implemented properly are effective at tackling the January Blues - and by getting employees back on track and offering them great benefits employers can hit the ground running and make the most of the New Year.

It’s important that the January Blues don’t become the February blues

Employers can put a number of initiatives into work to ensure the January blues don’t hang around and become the February blues… here are 5 of the best ideas:

1) Financial support

Employers can help employees reduce the financial stresses and strains they may feel after Christmas and, as a result, boost employee motivation levels in the workplace.

January is often a difficult time of the year compared to the rest of the year because staff have just been through Christmas and now face tightening their belts to pay off their December credit card bills. Offering financial wellbeing benefits to employees can help them manage their money better and perhaps avoid the same situation next year.

You can get employees back on track with benefits such as pre-paid cashback cards that not only enable employees to better manage their monthly outgoings, but also help to stretch their salary further by earning cashback on everyday purchases without needing to change their shopping habits.

You can also offer other financial wellbeing benefits that help your employees feel positive about their future and financially secure. These could include workshops on how to budget efficiently, or advice on pensions and investments, or you could even give employees’ access to an Independent Financial Advisor through your employee benefits scheme.

2) Recognition schemes

January is also the time of year when many people start looking for a new job often driven by a lack of recognition and appreciation.

According to an Oxford Economics report, it can cost up to £30,614 to replace a member of staff. This includes the cost of advertising, agency fees, time invested in interviewing prospective candidates and training them once they get started.

Implementing a reward and recognition programme is great way to motivate people and generate some enthusiasm. Make sure your recognition scheme is open to all employees, not just the top performers, and give managers the tools they need to recognise employees in a timely manner.

3) Employee Health and wellbeing

The New Year is a time when many off us kick off a healthy lifestyle change and employers can do a lot to support those employees who want to get fitter or improve their health through their employee benefits programme.

For the inspired employees who want to improve their fitness you can offer them wellbeing benefits such as reduced gym member fees or a Cycle to Work scheme. You can also run free fitness clubs, such as the Couch to 5km running programme. Many local running clubs will be happy to run the programme free of charge for your staff. You can also tap in to your employees interests by asking if they want to set up a walking group, 5-a-side football team, etc.

Mental wellbeing is also just as important. Anxiety and stress about money worries can play a part in the January blues so offering an Employee Assistance Programme can really help employees talk through their worries on confidence.

4) Improve work-life balance

January is the time of the year when many employees re-consider their work-life balance. Offering your employees flexible working hours or the option to work remotely can significantly improve your employees’ morale and motivation, and also lead to improved staff loyalty.

You should also consider other benefits, such as a holiday allowance purchase scheme or concierge service, as these can have a really positive effect on employees and help them achieve an optimal work-life balance.

We know taking regular breaks throughout the day and taking annual leave improves employee motivation and productivity, so it’s important that managers walk the talk by taking their breaks and encouraging their employees to take all of their annual leave.

5) Get the enthusiasm pumping

The most effective way to lift the gloom is to give staff something to look forward to in early January, as soon as work resumes. For example, you can throw a launch party to announce a charity you’re going to support as a collective and get employees thinking about how they can raise money with events in the first quarter of the year.

You can also announce events such as team building or Friday socials to lift employees’ spirits. Whatever you choose to do, make it upbeat, full of energy and most importantly fun for your employees.

No-cost and low-cost initiatives

There are also plenty of no-cost and low-cost initiatives employers can implement, for example:

Managers saying a personal thank you with a hand-written note or highlighting an employee’s contribution in a team meeting.
Inspirational leadership talks from your senior management team to the whole organisation.
Friendly competitions where the winner gets sent home early on a Friday.
Have a daily delivery of fresh fruit to help employees keep to their New Year Resolutions.
Highlight your most exciting plans by talking about the business objectives for the year ahead and let your employees know how they will play a crucial role in achieving those goals.

However you choose to motivate your staff through the January blues it is important that you understand exactly what motivates your staff before deciding on a strategy.

Just like all employee benefit schemes, a one-size-fits-all approach to re-engaging employees with great benefits is unlikely to achieve the results you desire. By listening to your staff you can chose the solutions that will make them happier and more productive, and give your organisation a great start to the New Year.

Iain Thomson is the director of Incentives and Rewards at P&MM Motivation, part of the Sodexo family.