Two-thirds of employees admit feeling the December productivity dip [1], with just 22.8% of work completed in winter, compared to 27.3% in autumn [2]. Additionally, Reboot Online discovered Google searches relating to productivity hacks, planners and coaching are all up 5,000% this month as many try to avoid the slump.
So, how can you help employees stay productive over the winter period?
To help business owners reduce the winter dip, HR experts at digital PR agency Reboot Online provided actionable tips on keeping employees motivated over the Christmas period.
1. Make Yourself Available
Managing time and workload is important for all employees in an organisation, especially management. December is a busy month with organisations finishing up their work for the year, so it’s easy to get overwhelmed and overlook your duty of supporting your team. This could include regular 1-1’s, giving feedback on tasks and (if necessary) reallocating workload, which should fuel the team with drive and positivity and address any concerns before they grow.
If you divide your time effectively, that’ll have a positive knock-on effect towards your team, increasing productivity with strong, fully involved management that always makes time to check in with everyone.
2. Offer a Flexible Work Schedule
If appropriate, incorporate a flexible working schedule into the workplace, enabling employees to work their usual hours but at a time that suits them. This can reduce stress and give employees more time for personal errands, which can increase their focus and engagement during the workday.
Shai Aharony, CEO of Reboot Online says: “Not all employees thrive on a traditional 9-5 structure. In our industry, creativity is so important and allows our staff to work at times that best suit them. Whether that’s logging on at 7:30 am for the early risers, or logging on later and working until later in the day, flexible working hours gives our employees the autonomy to work when they are the most productive.”
3. Flexible Work Goals
Let your team set some personal work targets for the final weeks. They’re more likely to stay motivated and productive when they feel ownership over their goals and objectives. Consider letting them pick one professional goal they’d like to complete by the end of the year (such as learning a new skill that’s different but applicable to their field) and support them in reaching it.
4. Encourage Professional Development Opportunities
Offer short, engaging workshops or online courses your team can complete in an hour or less. Whether it’s a time management technique or a new tool, providing learning opportunities with tangible benefits for the next year shows your commitment to overall team growth and keeps them productive and engaged.
5. Give the Gift of Recognition
Consider sending personal ‘shout-out’ messages, company-wide emails or newsletters that recognise individual and team achievements highlighting how their efforts contribute to the company’s success and shared goals. These can provide a quick, sincere boost to morale and motivation. Not only this, personal acknowledgement fosters a positive environment and reinforces each person’s impact on the company’s achievements.
6. Shorter, Focused Work Blocks
Encourage your team to work in short, highly focused blocks with regular breaks. Use a time-blocking method (such as the Pomodoro Technique that splits working sessions into 25-minute blocks followed by a five-minute break) for increased focus and productivity, especially as energy levels may dip during this time of year. Also, encouraging employees to get outside on lunch breaks, and stepping out into the fresh air and natural light will boost brain activity and help employees re-focus on their work tasks. Natural light not only increases productivity levels but is also good for mental health.
7. Create a ‘Done by Christmas’ Task List
Break down larger projects into smaller, manageable tasks to complete them by Christmas. Visual aids, like a large, shared checklist, can help employees stay on track and give a satisfying sense of accomplishment as they check items off.