Top Tips: Preparing for the festive period
The festive season in Australia isn't just about the beach, BBQs, and summer sun. For businesses, it's a critical time to ensure everything runs smoothly, as many employees take well-deserved breaks (except for those in retail or tourism!).
The important stuff first!
Although it is a time to be festive, it is also imperative to remember employers have a positive duty to their employees to create a respectful work environment (Respect@Work Legislation), and this is even more important towards the end of the year when fatigue sets in, and everyone is ready for a break.
This means ensuring all work events have a risk mitigation plan in place. This sounds scarier than it is - it just means planning the event with contingencies in mind, as well as communicating expectations to the team.
For example, for any event:
● How will any alcohol consumption be managed? (e.g. clear times when the bar is being paid for when it isn’t)
● How will team members get home safely? (e.g. public transport or will ride-share be reimbursed)?
● How inclusive will the event be for everyone in your team (consider different cultures with any games or gift giving that may occur), and,
● What will happen if the event extends into after-work hours?
Now the legal stuff is out of the way here’s our Nine Yards tips to help employers prepare for the Christmas break, with some added cheer.
Top tips for a stress-free festive period
Start Early: Planning ahead is crucial. By mid-November, you should have a clear idea of whether you are doing a Holiday Shutdown period and who will be on leave and who will be holding the fort. This helps prevent any last-minute surprises.
Communicate Clearly: Ensure all your employees are aware of the company’s operating hours during the holiday period. Clear communication can avoid confusion and ensure everyone knows what’s expected of them.
Encourage Downtime: Make sure your employees take their leave. It’s essential for their wellbeing and helps them return refreshed and ready to go for 2025.
Client Communication: Let your clients know about your holiday schedule in advance. This ensures they’re not left in the lurch and helps manage their expectations. Also, ensure all team members put their out-of-office on.
Emergencies: Have a plan for any emergencies that may arise. Ensure there’s always someone on call and that all employees know who to contact in case of urgent issues.
Celebrate Success: Reflect on the year’s achievements with your team. Whether it's a casual BBQ or an end-of-year party, it’s a great way to show appreciation for their hard work.
Gratitude and Recognition: Finally, thank your team. Acknowledge their efforts and the role they’ve played during the year. A little gratitude goes a long way.
Training and Development: Use the quieter period to invest in training and development. It’s an excellent time for managers to focus on their growth and prepare for the year ahead. It is also an awesome opportunity to catch up on compliance training.
Nice to haves (if you can manage it!)
The summer holidays are a tough time for parents as the long stretch of having kids at home is daunting especially if annual leave is low. Consider whether you can offer flexibility to these team members during this time (more work-from-home options, reduced hours or compressed weeks).
As January is traditionally a quiet time for office workers - organisations often allow more flexibility or have initiatives such as summer hours (bringing forward the end of the day to 4pm or 12pm close on Friday). Get the team to share back what they did with their extra time.
Use the downtime to hold planning days/team retreats - it's a great way to reset for the year ahead and often has fewer disruptions and distractions.
By preparing adequately, you can ensure a smooth transition into the holiday season and come back stronger in the new year. Happy holidays! 🎄🎉