It is the most wonderful time of the year, right? The holiday season is a time of celebration, reflection, and gratitude. For employers, it’s also an opportunity to create a festive and fun environment that supports employee well-being and safety. However, the season comes with unique challenges that require thoughtful HR planning. Here’s how to navigate the holidays successfully and some ideas to help boost morale and company culture, ensuring everyone enjoys the holiday season.
1. Company Holiday Parties: A Celebration, Not a Liability
Holiday parties are a great way to show appreciation, but they can also pose risks if not managed properly. Reports of harassment, excessive intoxication, property damage or theft, and personal injuries are all examples of holiday party HR nightmares that management needs to be prepared for. To help mitigate risks, employers should:
Set Expectations: Clearly communicate the company’s code of conduct and remind employees that professionalism is still expected, even in a festive setting. Keep your harassment trainings up to date and ensure all staff members review it annually.
Alcohol Policy: If alcohol is served, consider offering drink tickets or a limited bar to prevent overconsumption. Providing plenty of food and non-alcoholic beverages is also a must. Ensure the bar service is monitored, and proper identification is taken into consideration to avoid underage serving.
Safe Rides: Arrange for transportation or reimburse rideshare services to ensure everyone gets home safely.
By taking these precautions, you can foster a fun and memorable event without the unnecessary risk.
2. Celebrating Diversity
Keep in mind that not all employees may celebrate Christmas. The holiday season is a time of diverse traditions and celebrations, and recognizing this diversity helps create a respectful and welcoming workplace. If you have a diverse workforce, here are practical steps employers can take:
Offer Neutral Decorations: Instead of focusing on specific holidays, use seasonal themes such as winter landscapes, snowflakes, or lights. These can create a festive atmosphere without prioritizing one holiday over another, when appropriate.
Acknowledge Different Holidays: Provide a platform, like an internal email or bulletin board, to share information about the various holidays employees might celebrate. This promotes awareness and understanding within the team when diversity exists.
Adjust Scheduling Flexibility: Be mindful that some employees may observe holidays outside of Christmas. Allow them to request time off with the same consideration given to widely recognized holidays.
Avoid Mandated Participation: Make holiday events, such as parties or gift exchanges, optional. This respects employees who may not celebrate or prefer not to engage in such activities.
These small but meaningful adjustments can help ensure every employee feels valued and included, fostering a positive and unified workplace during the holiday season. Remember to keep an open-door policy so staff members feel comfortable informing you of their own personal holiday beliefs and values. Knowing your team upfront can help you navigate these considerations with ease.
3. Safety First: Slips, Trips, and Winter Hazards
Icy parking lots and walkways or slippery flooring surfaces can turn a cheerful season into a dangerous one. To protect employees:
Regular Maintenance: Ensure parking lots and sidewalks are salted and cleared of ice and snow promptly. Keep mops or moisture absorbing materials near entrances with slick surfaces to clean up excess melted snow or ice tracked in by foot traffic. Placing extra rugs or winter footwear storage can also help keep wet floors at bay.
Signage: Use clear signage to warn employees of potential hazards. Post reminders in break areas or send out information through company communication systems.
Encourage Caution: Remind employees to wear appropriate footwear and take their time navigating slippery areas and icy roads. Revisit inclement weather policies or tardiness procedures with staff for when commutes are slowed due to outdoor conditions.
A safe environment helps everyone enjoy the holidays without unnecessary injuries. Remind employees of the proper onsite injury reporting procedures when slips do occur.
4. Thoughtful Holiday Gifts for Employees
Gift-giving is a wonderful way to show appreciation, but the key is in choosing items that resonate with your team. Many employees report that they do not find company branded items to be enticing such as plastic water bottles, backpacks, organizers or lunchboxes. Here are a few alternatives to consider when selecting an employee gift:
Personalized Gifts: Custom items or a gift that associates with an individual’s personal hobbies can show more thoughtfulness than a one-size-fits-all gift. One idea you could implement is selecting a group of 3 – 5 items and allowing the employee to choose which one they prefer from your list. This can save you time while still giving the employees individual preference.
Practical Gifts: High-quality gift cards or wellness-focused gifts like massage vouchers or fitness memberships may be appreciated. If you opt for a company branded item, select something of high-quality or use, for example, a name brand coat or vest with a logo and name printed on the front to stay warm during the colder months.
Team Gifts: Hosting a nice team lunch from a popular restaurant or giving collective experiences like an escape room event, local ski day, or bowling outing can foster camaraderie. When possible, try to plan these events during work hours so team members do not miss out on their family or personal time outside of their regular work schedules.
5. Creative End-of-Year Bonuses
Holiday or end-of-year bonuses are a fairly common avenue that employers choose for rewarding staff for the milestones reached throughout the year, however these bonuses don’t always have to be cash (though no one will complain about extra dollars if you choose to do so). Here are some creative alternatives:
Extra Time Off: An additional paid day off in January can be a valuable way to help employees recharge after the holiday hustle. You may also consider allowing the employee to bank the day for another time of their choosing for an extra benefit.
Profit Sharing: Share a percentage of the year’s profits with your team to show their impact on company success. Bonus structures can be based on seniority, role type, or even performance. Be sure to clearly outline and communicate bonus plans and what is expected of staff in order to obtain them.
Surprise Experiences: Consider offering unique experiences like tickets to local events, holiday dinners, or family-friendly activities.
Bonuses are a chance to reinforce how much you value your employees and their contributions throughout the year. Create transparent parameters around your chosen bonus structure so staff understand when thresholds are met and when they are not.
6. Giving Back Through Community Service
The holiday season is an excellent time for businesses to come together as a team and make a positive impact in their communities. Engaging in community service not only helps those in need but also strengthens team bonds and reinforces your company’s values. Here are practical ways to incorporate service into your holiday plans:
Organize a Volunteer Day: Partner with a local charity or nonprofit and arrange a day for your team to volunteer together. Whether it’s serving meals at a shelter, sorting donations, or wrapping gifts for families in need, these activities foster teamwork and give back to the community.
Start a Donation Drive: Encourage employees to donate items like non-perishable food, toys, or winter clothing. Consider matching employee contributions to amplify the impact.
Adopt a Family or Cause: Collaborate with a local organization to provide gifts or financial support for a family or cause in need. This personalized approach makes a direct and meaningful difference.
Support Local Businesses: Host your holiday party at a local venue or source gifts and catering from small businesses in your area to give back economically.
Make It Fun: Add a festive element to your service efforts, like wearing holiday sweaters while volunteering or creating friendly competitions for donation drives.
Incorporating community service during the holidays allows your team to connect with each other and your community in a meaningful way. It also reinforces your company’s commitment to social responsibility, creating goodwill and lasting memories for everyone involved.
Final Thoughts
The holiday season offers businesses a chance to spread cheer and foster unity. By addressing proper conduct at celebrations, respecting diverse traditions, prioritizing safety, incorporating community service, and offering thoughtful gestures, you create an environment where employees feel appreciated and cared for, ultimately reducing turnover and helping your bottom line. A little planning goes a long way in ensuring the season is joyful for everyone at your workplace.
Here’s to a safe, happy holiday season!
Comments