As the business landscape becomes more competitive with each passing year, many employees find that they have more on their plates than ever. Increasing workloads have had a significant impact on employee sentiment about summer vacation.
In recent years, nearly one-third of employees report that they have considered foregoing their summer vacation because they’re too busy at work. Additionally, 68% of American employees report working during their time off.
While you may appreciate employees’ willingness to go the extra mile, you also likely recognize the value of your staff having time to relax away from the pressures of work. The good news is that you can help.
Showing employees how to prioritize tasks, offering flexible working conditions, providing clarity around expectations, and focusing on overall well-being are just some things that HR teams can do to ease feelings of post-vacation overwhelm.
Discover the keys to ensuring employees feel supported, re-engaged, and ready to contribute as they transition back into work after a much-needed break.
Strategies for Helping Your Employees Manage Their Post-Break Workloads
No matter how relaxing their summer vacation has been, many employees face concerns about how they’ll manage their workloads once they are back in the office. Here are a few ways you can help them make the transition less stressful.
Setting Clear Expectations
Data shows that less than half of U.S. employees know what is expected of them at work. Not having clear expectations can cause undue stress and burnout at work.
When your employees return from vacation, make sure managers meet with them to discuss priorities and deadlines. Knowing what is most urgent will help them focus on those tasks first. Having clarity about deadlines will ensure they can properly manage their time and get everything done.
Offering Flexibility
Employees returning from summer vacation may need a few days to refocus their minds. Consider providing a gradual re-entry into projects, with lighter workloads during their first few days back.
You can also consider allowing flexible deadlines, working hours, or locations. This can give employees time to take care of pressing personal needs and ease back into their normal work routines.
Prioritizing Mental Well-Being in the Workplace
Many employees take time off in hopes that it will cure any burnout they may be feeling at work. They may be anxious about their transition back into the office, worried that those sentiments may return. Seventy-seven percent of professionals have experienced burnout at their jobs, which means the problem is prevalent across the workforce.
The same data shows that the biggest drivers of burnout are long hours, lack of support, and unrealistic expectations. It’s crucial to check in with your employees about their workloads after vacation, ensuring they’re not feeling overwhelmed.
You may also want to discuss their mental well-being. If they’re struggling, consider what resources you may be able to provide, such as remote working opportunities, a shortened work week, or even access to mindfulness apps.
Additionally, make sure to emphasize the importance of self-care. Employees may be so focused on meeting deadlines during their post-vacation transition that they forget to tend to their own well-being. Consider promoting well-being initiatives, offering encouragement to take breaks as needed, or exercising and meditating when possible.
The Importance of Reconnecting and Re-Engaging
Perhaps one of the best ways to help your employees transition back into work is to ensure they look forward to coming back. Often, this is the case for employees who have built positive relationships with their team.
Data from Gallup suggests that employees who report having a best friend at work are more engaged, productive, and satisfied in their jobs, which can help defeat overwhelm and burnout. To help employees re-engage after vacation, consider:
- Casual team meetings
- Post-vacation offsite lunches
- One-on-one check-ins
- Team-building activities
- Asking employees to share about their trips or vacations
These ideas can go a long way in helping your team to reconnect with each other and remind them why they love working together. It can also help you build a more positive culture focused on genuine care and camaraderie.
Ensure Your Employees Feel Supported This Summer
Taking a summer vacation can be a great way for employees to achieve work-life balance, taking time away from their desks to relax and soak up the sun. Still, HR teams and employees alike are well aware of workplace demands, and everyone needs to do their part to keep the company moving forward.
The good news is that you can support employees in ensuring the job gets done without having to sacrifice their well-being. The first step is creating and implementing policies that support this balance in the workplace.
VirgilHR’s automated platform can help you stay up to date with laws and best practices surrounding these policies, ensuring you’re fully compliant with time off and remote work regulations. Schedule a demo today to see how our tool can assist your HR team in building effective office policies that work for you year-round.
Sources:
1. https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/04/vacation-work-2023-tips-for-time-off.html
2. https://www.gallup.com/workplace/657629/post-pandemic-workplace-experiment-continues.aspx
3. https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/about-deloitte/articles/burnout-survey.html 4. https://www.gallup.com/workplace/397058/increasing-importance-best-friend-work.aspx
