Senior Vice President & Chief People Officer at CNFA overseeing the culture of positive engagement with its employees globally.
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Though commonly seen as a time of joy, celebration and togetherness, the holiday season can also bring about feelings of stress, loneliness and even grief for some people. In my experience—both lived and as an HR practitioner—I've seen multiple staff members suffer personal crises, whether it was a death, divorce or another kind of family emergency. In those times, I acted as a supportive ear to listen to their worries and provided information on the resources available that could assist them with managing the issue.
These experiences proved to me that it's invaluable for an organization to foster a caring, empathetic environment to support employees' emotional and mental well-being when they're facing hard times. Here are some effective strategies you can use to help employees who are hoping to avoid the holiday blues.
Encourage Open Communication
Create and maintain an environment where employees feel comfortable expressing their feelings. Encourage open communication, and let team members know you're there to listen. Whether through one-on-one meetings or team discussions, provide a platform for employees to share their thoughts and concerns about the holiday season.
It's important, though, that you're promoting a culture of respect where employees feel valued and supported without feeling pressured to compromise their personal boundaries. There must be an essential balance of acknowledging employees' unique experiences while maintaining a level of professionalism.
Highlight Your Mental Health Resources
I recently had a conversation with my colleague Marceia Cork, a certified grief support specialist, about best practices for managing grief during the holidays. We talked about how people may be mourning more than just their loved one's absence; they may also be grieving over the loss of traditions they'd shared. The key takeaway from our conversations was how important it is to look beyond the mindset of “What will I do without them?” or “What do I do now?”
To help employees navigate these feelings, communicate and promote the mental health resources available in your benefits packages. This could include employee assistance programs, counseling services or workshops on stress management and coping strategies. If it feels appropriate, guide employees toward specific resources that can help them start to build new experiences and traditions. Some other options are adding paid mental health days or access to a mental health app to your benefits.
Encourage Self-Care
Whether it's the holidays or any other time of year, it's important to promote self-care practices among your teams. Remind employees to take regular breaks throughout the day, use their accrued vacation time and engage in activities that bring them joy.
It's also vital that you move beyond the idea of simply finding a balance between work and life responsibilities. Instead, encourage employees to pursue work-life harmony, where they honor all the complexities of how their work and personal lives are interconnected. This can help build a more positive, resilient workforce.
Organize Inclusive Activities
Engaging in shared activities helps build a positive workplace culture, providing all employees with a support system during the holiday season. But be sure that you're acknowledging the diversity of each team member’s holiday traditions and beliefs.
Put out inclusive holiday decor where appropriate, and plan team-building activities that focus on honoring different celebrations. This could include holiday-themed events, virtual gatherings or even a simple office potluck. By doing so, you can demonstrate your organization's commitment to embracing the richness of different experiences.
Set Realistic Expectations
Avoid overwhelming employees with excessive workloads that could contribute to stress and burnout. Clear communication about realistic expectations, priorities, goals and deadlines will help employees navigate their responsibilities more effectively.
Because the holiday season can be demanding, consider also offering flexible schedules or remote work options when feasible. This will help employees reduce the stress of trying to navigate their personal and professional lives simultaneously, thus promoting a healthier work-life integration.
Express Gratitude
Finally, recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of your team to help boost morale and positivity. While this acknowledgment is definitely a must throughout the year, expressing gratitude for employees' hard work and dedication can be especially meaningful during the holidays. Consider simple gestures like handwritten notes, personalized thank-you messages or even small tokens of appreciation.
By actively addressing the potential challenges of the holiday season, employers and managers can create a supportive and inclusive workplace. Implementing these simple but thoughtful strategies not only helps employees avoid the holiday blues but also contributes to a positive company culture where individuals feel valued, connected and appreciated.
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