4 WAYS TO GET EMPLOYEES MOVING AFTER THE HOLIDAYS

4 WAYS TO GET EMPLOYEES MOVING AFTER THE HOLIDAYS

When employees come back to their desks after the holidays, it takes some time for them to get back up to speed and pick up from where they left off. However, employers and managers can take steps to help speed up that process.

Here are a few ways:

1. COMMUNICATE CLEARLY

When employees return to work, make sure they have all the information they need to get back up to full speed. Update them on any project or deadline changes, input from clients they may have missed over break, or other important information that may have gotten lost in their inboxes.

Help employees beat work overload after the holidays by improving communication. Don’t fill inboxes any more than they already are and communicate face to face, by phone or through an internal communication network such as a team chat. You can use the communication method that will best deliver the message.

MANAGEABLE PROJECTS AND GOALS

2. Employees need manageable projects and overall goals to stay engaged. When they return to work after the holidays, employers should re-evaluate their project goals to ensure that they are realistic and that everyone is on the same page and knows what is expected of them. Then, take the time to set goals for the new year with each employee. These long-term goals will help keep them focused and working to further their careers.

3. FACILITATE TEAMWORK

To get through the post-holiday overload, employees need to understand their responsibilities and work together to complete them. After the break, review roles and assignments with your team to remind those employees who is responsible for what, which keeps each member accountable for his or her own work.

4. ELIMINATE PROCRASTINATION

When employees return to work after the holidays, they are often slow moving. They are chatting with their co-workers about their family parties, catching up on social media posts and going through holiday pictures. THEY ARE PROCRASTINATING!

However, do allow employees to take productive breaks and socialise with their co-workers. Focus on making the most from their time by breaking down tasks and setting priorities and deadlines for each one.

If employees know they will need to turn in those tasks at the end of the day, they may be less likely to scan twitter for an hour and more likely to remain focused after fun of the holidays ends.

Last but not least, DON’T OVERDO IT. It is easy to believe that in order to catch-up you need to extend your working hours. However, this can lead to additional stress and it will most likely negatively impact your productivity in the long term even if you have the feeling you are doing more in the short term.

For more information, kindly contact Duvenage Attorneys and our team of experts will gladly assist you.