Our working patterns and behaviors change when temperatures rise. Our work pace tends to be slowed by the rising temperatures and busy social calendar. While some of us may be preparing the BBQs, others worry about childcare during the school holidays.
How can employers prepare for the summer season in a balanced way, balancing productivity and well-being? We asked HR professionals and experts for their best tips.
Flexibility is first
Debra Corey, HR expert and thought leader, suggests that you begin by thinking about flexibility. The biggest mistake that I see is companies having only one approach. It’s not going to work for everybody.
Corey suggests that employees and managers should discuss and come to an agreement on the specific arrangements. “Have them speak to their managers about when and where they will work (can they be flexible with hours, reduce their hours, have a compressed week, etc.) They can work together to find the right balance for the employee as well as the company. “This will make everyone happy and successful this summer.”
Summer isn’t just about sun, sea and barbecues
Working parents and school vacations
Mark Hendy reminds us that summer isn’t just about sun, sea, and BBQs. Working parents must juggle childcare during the school holidays while juggling their work responsibilities. Some may feel an extra financial pinch. I often think about those who have children at home and rely on school meals funded by the government that are not available during summer holidays, causing additional financial hardships.
Hendy recommends that you look into discount and benefits schemes and be flexible about shift start and finish times in order to accommodate childcare arrangements. Above all, good communication is key: “Key to support employees through whatever challenges the summer period may create is fostering an open and regular culture of communication between colleagues and line managers.”
Summer wellbeing benefits
Although business leaders may be annoyed by the productivity drop during the summer, they should also consider the benefits of warmer weather for their own wellbeing.
Kate Clay, HR director at eStar Truck & Van, says that the longer, lighter days help to alleviate conditions like SAD. We celebrate this and encourage more walking groups in the summer to help shake up any productivity slumps, and ensure colleagues get some time outdoors. Summer is also when sickness tends to decrease, so if annual leave is well managed, productivity can be fairly consistent.
Warmer weather can be beneficial to your health.
“Steer into the skid”
Summer is usually dominated by big sporting events that dominate our screens, our conversations (and pubs). Ella Overshott from Pecan Partnership urges employers to not compete but rather embrace this airtime.
“Steer in the skid” with any national or international events. “Embracing the spirit of any specific national or world events can create new energy and provide an excellent reason to bring people in person.”
Avoid the self-fulfilling dip in productivity
While we should welcome these social moments, and the extra flexibility they bring, it doesn’t mean that summer months will be low-productive. Overshott warns that if we make such assumptions, we run the risk of a’self fulfilling productivity dip.’ We have the habit of perpetuating working rhythms that are not always necessary. While employees with children in school will plan time off, it is possible that an equal number, if no more, make the most out of their holiday time between June and September.
Consider how you can use the summer to do different kinds of work, such as planning or design, innovation, or continuous improvement. Overshott says that if the ‘Heads Of,’ are on vacation, this is a great opportunity for new voices and perspectives to develop.
Consider how you can use the summer to do different kinds of work
Last tips for summer productivity
Employers can still achieve high summer productivity if they are proactive and flexible.
Hannah Gore shares some final tips on how to maintain a balance between employee productivity and wellbeing.
- Adjust workloads. In the summer, people are likely to take more holidays. Therefore, adjust deadlines and redistribute work to reflect this. It is important to ensure that projects are not slowed down by those who cover for their colleagues.
- Set realistic targets: Recognise the summer may not be the ideal time to launch large initiatives with tight deadlines and lower team numbers. Focus on maintaining steady progress with existing projects, and use the summer for strategic planning and reviewing activities.
- Organise social gatherings:Host events with a summer theme, such as BBQs, picnics or after-work events. These activities will strengthen your team and give you a break from the routine.
- Casual Dress Code: Allow employees to be comfortable during summer by implementing a relaxed dress code.
- Communicate clearly Keep lines of communication open about workload expectations, upcoming vacations and other important information to make sure everyone is on the exact same page
- Promote time management: Encourage employees to prioritise their tasks and manage time efficiently, especially when covering for colleagues who are on leave.
- Recognise achievements: Recognise team accomplishments no matter how small to motivate and keep morale up.
