What employees want at this time

Welcome to December. The end of a very interesting year. Next year we will be dealing with some more technical issues that business owners should know about. What are employees expecting or what would they want at this time?

Setting some time aside to think about what your employees really want this Christmas and putting a plan in action, will play a significant role in how your business gets through this period, and how employees will feel returning to work in 2021.

People have been experiencing so many different issues in current times from the death of a loved one, financial worries, anxiety because of lack of contact with friends and loved ones, relationship and childcare issues, to a general fear of the unknown. This has caused many to feel overwhelmed and discouraged. Showing empathy, support, and consideration towards your people will be more critical than ever this Christmas.

Unsurprisingly, many HR managers and organisational leaders feel a little overwhelmed at the prospect of the upcoming holiday season. Balancing peak volumes in what is notoriously a short working period, along with all the new health and safety regulations, management of home-based workers, and reformed shift patterns is no easy task.

When people are hired and after they start work they receive no further affirmation – or worse, mixed or negative messages about their performance without explanation or guidance to help them improve, could make then start to feel unappreciated, unrecognised, and even experience self-doubt about their own capabilities. People, especially now need validation.

Giving feedback on performance is therefore of utmost importance. This does not have to be a formal affair, but rather, a consistent one. Sincere and genuine affirmation will help employees feel motivated and engaged with the company’s objectives. I suggest management should take time to write some personal Christmas cards or thank you notes, maybe even schedule a more casual Zoom call with staff and raise a toast to their achievements – the sentiment will not be lost.

Employees will feel valued by their struggles being noticed and helping them out of tight spots when things get too much. Burnout can be a real issue even for a well co-ordinated person. Having realistic expectations of your employees is a way of letting them know that you would rather have them perform at their peak sustainably – which, in itself, is a form of validation and appreciation.

During this Christmas period you can help your people by being more flexible where ever you can be. This will also help to boost productivity as staff can remain focused on their professional tasks without the stress of trying to cram other obligations into the awkward hours around their workday.

Annual bonuses and monetary rewards have their place when it comes to incentivisation, but not every business is in a financial position this year to give cash rewards. Cash is not always used towards a personal reward for the employee and it can be perceived as cold and therefore minimise the effectiveness of the gesture.

Engagement and performance aren’t influenced by cash alone. While monetary rewards are desirable, what employees really want is recognition. Here we give what has now been termed palliatives which go a long way even more than cash because it touches the family as well. By opting for this type of reward, you are showing recognition to your employees for their efforts, while also providing them with a memorable and useful reward that fits your budget.

At this time, concentration and productivity are paramount, transparency and dialogue between colleagues must be encouraged so that those with heavy workloads can speak up and get assistance.

This an important time for the company to communicate its achievements in the current year as well as any setbacks that may affect how things will progress in the future. Being open and honest is far more beneficial to employees than leaving them in suspense. Ensure communication channels are being used to send updates, accolades, or to simply check in with your people and offer help where necessary. Taking a team approach to managing workloads will get things done faster and more efficiently. As a result, your employees will feel good, and your customers will receive exceptional service.

This period has brought to the forefront, Health and Wellbeing. Employees are keen to see how their organisations will prioritise their safety when returning to the workplace, whether it’s through the introduction of new office layouts, better hygiene in high contact areas, and other steps to limit the spread of germs and bacteria. You should offer tangible support to your employees by getting them access to professional and impartial advice which could help them cope better with the stress surrounding the festive season and also mobilise them to make improvements in their personal lives that will have long lasting positive effects. .

With so many unknowns, You can take a few small but significant steps to provide your employees with the support and reassurance they need this Christmas. Showing appreciation and recognising your people’s efforts help to humanise your brand and promote a more positive workplace culture during what may be this generation’s most challenging festive season yet.

Have a great week and please be safe.