Tips for Companies to Successfully Honor the Holidays 

The holiday season can be an exciting and joyful time for both your company and its employees. However, while this time of year may invoke merriment, it can also involve additional challenges for staff, human resources professionals and leadership. During this festive time of year, your organization likely wants to accommodate workers as best as possible and enable them to enjoy the holidays, but you must also maintain safety and productivity. With this delicate balance in mind, the team at Lyceum Insurance Services is here with some tips for companies to successfully honor the holidays.

5 Tips for Companies for Managing Holiday-related Challenges

Ahead of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, consider implementing the following strategies:

1. Communicate time-off policies. Many employees may want to take plentiful time off around the holidays. While this is an understandable desire, the unfortunate truth is you may not be able to accommodate every request while ensuring sufficient business continuity. Encourage employees to submit their requests for time off as early as possible and consider setting deadlines for times with higher volumes, such as the week of Christmas.
2. Offer flexible arrangements. In the modern era, many employers have allowed employees to work flexible hours instead of traditional nine-to-five days. This may be particularly helpful during the holiday season, as employees may have various obligations and errands to manage. Additionally, consider making remote and hybrid work arrangements more flexible during this time of year, as this may enable employees to keep up with their work while also allowing them to travel and visit loved ones.
3. Celebrate responsibly. As an employer, you may wish to thank your staff with gifts, bonuses and your own celebrations and parties. However, be sure these initiatives are conducted safely and fairly. Be particularly careful of liability risks and potentially inappropriate conduct if alcohol is present during festivities. Additionally, ensure remote workers are shown appreciation, as they may be unable to attend in-person events.
4. Respect cultural differences. Your organization is bound by law to avoid discrimination or favoritism regarding protected statuses, including religion. The holiday season could, therefore, have an increased risk of potential lawsuits. Be sure to use secular phrasing in holiday-related emails and messages and recognize occasions of all faiths and religions during this time of year and throughout the calendar.
5. Prioritize employee wellness. Although the holiday season is often joyous, it may be difficult for some staff. Financial stress and feelings of loneliness or depression can become worse during this part of the year. Remind employees of any counseling and mental health services available to them and consider providing additional resources, such as information on stress management.

We’re Here to Help

Contact Lyceum Insurance Services today to learn more about safe and responsible holiday recognition or to access additional workplace resources.

This blog is intended for informational and educational use only. It is not exhaustive and should not be construed as legal advice. Please contact your insurance professional for further information.