As the festive season approaches, organisations can play a pivotal role in enhancing employee wellbeing during the festive break. This period, while joyous for many, can also be a time of stress and burnout after a year of hard work.
It’s essential for businesses to recognise the importance of a genuine break for their staff to recharge and enjoy the season’s festivities with peace of mind. We break down why this period matters, and some of our top tips for a restorative break below.
How important is rest and rejuvenation?
The end of the year is a natural point for reflection and provides a much-needed pause at the end of a busy work year. Employees who take time to rest during the holiday season are more likely to return to work with renewed energy and enthusiasm.
Instituting a company-wide shut down or encouraging employees to use their leave days during this time not only boosts morale but demonstrates an organisation’s commitment to work-life balance and mental health.
Six strategies for a restorative break
Clear communication
To ensure a stress-free holiday, clear communication about working hours, expectations, and coverage during the break is crucial. Your team should feel confident that their roles are adequately managed in their absence, making it easier to disconnect and enjoy their time off.
Setting boundaries
Employers should respect boundaries over the Christmas break, refraining from contacting staff for non-urgent work matters. This sets a company culture that values personal time, leading to higher respect and loyalty from employees.
Wellbeing support
Providing resources or access to wellbeing services during the holiday period can offer additional support to staff. Some may find the festive season challenging, and knowing help is available can make a significant difference.
Encouraging offline time
In our always-connected world, physically stepping away from work is sometimes not enough. Encouraging employees to digitally disconnect can promote mental wellbeing and present an opportunity to engage more fully with family and friends or to indulge in personal hobbies.
Reflecting on the year’s success
Take this time as an organisation to reflect on the year’s successes and express gratitude to the team. Acknowledging collective and individual achievements with messages of appreciation reinforces a sense of accomplishment and team cohesion.
Planning for the future
As part of promoting wellbeing, providing a perspective on the upcoming year can also be beneficial. Sharing a vision for the year ahead can help motivate and align your team’s focus. It’s a gentle reminder that while the break is there to rejuvenate, the future holds exciting opportunities and challenges.
On top of this, promoting employee wellbeing over the Christmas break sends a clear message that an organisation values its people beyond their work contributions. When your employees get some much-deserved down time, they feel enriched and bring a wellspring of productivity and positivity to the workplace. By investing in the wellbeing of staff during this period, companies are not just celebrating the season but are also setting the stage for a prosperous new year.
Let this Christmas break be a gift of well-being to your employees – one that keeps giving long into the future.
Foster mental wellbeing in your workplace in 2025
Employee wellbeing is key pillar of any great HR plan, and Source can help you put in place strategic frameworks to create a psychologically safe environment for everyone in your workforce. Talk to us about how we can work together on your human resource needs.
