Ah, Q4 — that time of year when stress is high, end-of-year goals and deadlines loom and folks walk the halls filled with both the spirit of the season and a distractedness that comes from lengthy and anxiety-inducing holiday to-do lists.
Sadly, we know that even in less distracted times, only 34% of employees are engaged at their jobs, according to Gallup. One global data company has been tracking the Great "Christmas Click-Off" for the last three years and consistently finds a reduction in productivity for the entire month of December. In the U.S., about a third of employees are winding down by mid-month, and by Friday, December 20, you can expect a whopping 70% of employees to be clicking off. It is worth noting that the click-off rate increases the younger the employee, with a 20% difference between baby boomers and 18- to 24-year-olds.
Employers can attempt to either rule with an iron fist or accept the reality and look for ways to make the holiday season work for employees and the company. I have always opted for the latter, and have found it refreshing to use the holiday season as an opportunity to think outside the box, connect more deeply with employees and build goodwill.
Here are some ways to keep employees engaged at work during the hustle and bustle of the season:
Communicate Goals And Incentives Early
Channel your favorite inspirational coach to rally the troops for a Q4 push. Clearly communicate key goals that need to be met for the end of the year and announce some incentives to go along with it. From cash cards to vacation days, tying a concrete reward to a goal that needs to be met will help motivate folks to keep their eye on the prize.
Expect To Flex
Employees will appreciate flex time at any time of year, but especially during the holidays when they are juggling increased work and personal demands. Can you offer work-from-home opportunities or compressed workweeks? Millennial expert Gabrielle Bosche says giving employees the freedom to shop online at work (since they likely will anyway) shows them you respect they have other priorities and may actually help them be more productive at work, especially if you set boundaries and designate a "shop-a-thon" time. Some businesses choose to shut down the week between Christmas and New Year's and reap the benefit of a workforce that finds it easier to focus on getting their work done knowing an extended break is coming soon.
Get Creative
Sometimes the distraction of the season can be put to good use by building in time at the end of the year to get creative on things there is no time to tackle earlier in the year. Letting the creative juices flow on an internal project or new product/service might be just what employees need to help stay engaged and energized through the end of the year, especially if they can take ownership of something that will improve the company or their work life.
Promote Health
People's physical and mental health can be taxed during the holiday season. Employers who recognize that and take extra steps to help keep employees happy and healthy will be rewarded with higher engagement. There is nothing worse than being sick during the holidays. If you haven't done it yet, make plans to promote or host a flu clinic so employees don't lose extra days to illness.
Another popular health offering could be something unexpected, like bringing in a professional to offer in-office chair massages for a day. A 15-to-20-minute massage for the neck, back and arms — key stress points for desk warriors — could improve the physical and mental state of workers and boost morale.
Give Joyfully
Another way to benefit employees' health, promote team-building and cultivate gratitude is by giving. There are countless examples and opportunities, especially during the holidays, to do good works. Involve employees in deciding what charitable efforts will be undertaken, and they will be more involved and engaged. Some companies choose to volunteer at a charity off-site as a team, some do a toy drive, others adopt a family for holiday gift-giving. Science has confirmed that "helper's high" is a real thing; giving of ourselves for the benefit of others releases endorphins in the brain that make us feel good. Giving is a win-win, and who doesn't want to be on a winning team?
Celebrate And Reward
Although many different cultures and traditions may exist in an office, pretending the holidays aren't happening can easily backfire as employees may view you as, well, Scrooge. Plan to celebrate and reward employees, and don't be afraid to think outside the box. Big, expensive holiday parties are just not feasible for all companies, but a sincere, handwritten note of thanks and appreciation with a reward of some kind is within every employer's reach. Last year we did a very special holiday party by having a catered event at our office with a professional photographer. The employees were asked to bring their family for holiday pictures, and they turned out amazing. It was a great way to give the team a unique gift that would last a lifetime.
If you communicate early with employees about all that is happening at the end of the year and how you plan to accomplish it, and if you earn goodwill by throwing in some fun and gratitude, you are more likely to get good work from employees and keep them engaged and jolly into the new year.
