Are you ready to close out the year?!
The last few HR Snapshots of 2023 will guide you through navigating the holidays at work and keeping your team motivated through the next few weeks.
1. Encourage Planned Time Off
Emphasize the importance of taking time off for rest and rejuvenation. Provide tips for effective vacation planning to ensure a well-deserved break. Manage time off requests fairly as well with a transparent process.
2. Create a Backup Coverage Plan
Plan ahead for last-minute vacation requests and unplanned use of sick leave that may cause your organization to be understaffed during the holidays.
3. Be Empathetic
Personal and family issues, such as the loss of a loved one, are often felt more deeply during the holidays. Adjust your expectations as employees’ concentration, attendance and performance may decline during this time.
4. Provide or Highlight Additional Benefits
Relatedly, remind your team about tools your company has in place to provide financial and emotional assistance during the holidays – such as employee assistance programs, mental health resources, childcare reimbursement, bonuses, or extra paid time off.
5. Be Inclusive
Recognize and respect diverse celebrations and traditions. Use inclusive language in communications, decorations, and events. Consider acknowledging a variety of holidays, not just those traditionally observed.
6. Celebrate Achievements
Reflect on the accomplishments of the past year, acknowledging the hard work and dedication of your team. Highlight significant milestones, projects, and individual successes.
7. Express Gratitude
Take the opportunity to express gratitude for the hard work and contributions of your team throughout the year. Consider personalized thank-you notes or tokens of appreciation.
8. Circulate Employee Surveys
Gather feedback from your employees on work environment, culture, and areas for improvement. Use these insights to shape your HR strategies for the next year.
9. Set Goals for the New Year
Explore effective ways to set and communicate goals for both employees and your company. Discuss strategies for aligning these goals with overall objectives and keep the past year’s momentum going.
10. Create an HR Checklist
Plan ahead and reduce last minute stress by creating an HR checklist for all the new laws, updated policies, required training sessions, and team-building activities that will require your attention in the new year.
Envision Initiative is here to help if you need assistance implementing any of these best practices with your team!