Keeping employees motivated this Christmas

With the festive season in full swing, business owners can struggle to keep staff motivated and spread the Christmas cheer.

As companies start to plan ahead for the New Year and deal with reduced staff due to sickness and last minute holiday requests, it can be tricky to keep employees driven in the workplace.

“While this is a fun time of year, it can also be stressful for managers and HR professionals who may be struggling to keep their teams engaged. People are often distracted by the festive fun or last minute shopping they need to do,” said Adrian Lewis, absence management expert at Activ Absence.

“Our advice to employers is embrace the Christmas celebrations and make work a fun place to be, but also ensure they are clear about how the festive period will be covered – who will be working over the Christmas period and what’s expected, as well as ensuring everyone understands the company’s absence policies.”

To combat this, Activ Absence has detailed its top tips to help businesses survive the festive period:

1. Make the office a fun place to be. Let staff decorate the office to help get them in the Christmas spirit – it can boost employee motivation and engagement

2. It’s the little things that count. Let your staff know they are valued through simple gestures such as saying thank you or through small gestures such as buying some Christmas treats for the office

3. Set the ground rules ahead of the Christmas party so everyone knows what kind of behaviour is expected and can enjoy it without any repercussions

4. If you have a Christmas meal, make sure food choices are inclusive for all staff members

5. Restrict annual leave during the busiest periods so you aren’t short staffed and remind staff about your absence policies to ensure attendance doesn’t slide in December

6. Check company driver licences haven’t expired and remind all staff about drink driving

7. Encourage everyone to bring nibbles in if they have to work over Christmas and New Year

8. Consider granting flexible working if people want time off for deliveries, or allow deliveries at work

9. Set smart goals for staff performance in December and give small prizes for meeting them

10. Set fun plans for the New Year so people come back feeling motivated and inspired