Keeping employees engaged and motivated in the run-up to Christmas
Mental and physical wellbeing plays a huge role in performance at work and when life is chaotic, it limits people’s ability to perform to their highest potential. Whether there are motivational slumps and a lull in productivity, this guide will provide tips to overcome the hurdles.
Why the lack of engagement?
Many potential contributing factors arise at this time of year, and while these minute details might not seem like much, their ripple effects can span far and wide. Employers and managers must begin to recognise how these subtle changes can impact work-life. Take a look at some of the things to consider below:
- there’s a need for a break after working all year – potential burnout and reduced productivity
- the added pressure to prepare for Christmas can cause stress and anxiety
- bank holidays and annual leave mean that December is the shortest month of the year, so there’s added pressure to complete workloads
- restlessness can sometimes occur when employees are aware of an approaching break. They may begin to start winding down before the holidays begin
- the Christmas period brings social events and financial pressures, leading to a lack of energy and feelings of overwhelm
- we know that the winter months see employee absences rise due to ill health from flu season, which can contribute to a lack of engagement
- the threat from Covid-19 seems to be ever-increasing. The uncertainty and fear around the new Omicron variant can trigger anxiety, stress, and worry about what the future holds.
Increasing engagement and motivation
There is hope for an engaging and motivating December, despite the pre-Christmas chaos. With an awareness of potential pitfalls employers can take action and overcome these challenges. Here are some helpful tips to get you started:
Incentives
Get motivation thriving in the team by setting an incentive for the month. With a dose of healthy competition, you can quickly overcome any obstacles to motivation. It gives teams new energy, focus, and improves communication too.
Signpost to support
Christmas can be difficult, especially those experiencing mental health problems, as it can cause things to resurface. There’s also an extra financial pressure at Christmas that may be causing employees to struggle. So if you do have any kind of mental health support in place, make sure you're signposting employees to it.
Consider flexible working
If possible, you could consider seasonal flexible working. By allowing staff to work from home, or offering flexible start-finish times, you give them extra freedom to prepare for the festive season. And this can help to combat any stress employees might be feeling.
Gratitude
Your employees have worked hard all year to keep the wheels of your organisation turning. As the end of the year dawns, it’s only natural they may begin to feel the effects of burnout. This is the perfect time to show your appreciation for your staff. It only has to be a small gesture, but it really can go a long way. Make workers feel valued this season of giving, and you might see some surprising results.
Embrace the festivities
Instead of resisting the wrath of the festivities, you could instead choose to embrace the change. Welcome the Christmas spirit and keep staff engaged with some end-of-the-year excitement. You could create a more relaxed working environment with dress down days, Christmas quizzes and decorations. In some cases, this approach can get employees excited to come into work each day and improve their engagement in the process.
This article was provided by Health Assured.
Supplied by REBA Associate Member, Health Assured
Health Assured is the UK and Ireland's most trusted health and wellbeing network.
