It's not as hard as you might think.
It’s 7 a.m. on a sunny day in mid-July, but you’re not heading to the lake. You’re on your way to work. The reality of the day sets in, and your mood drops.
Keeping employee morale high during the summer is a challenge, but it’s not impossible. We know how important it is to have a good work-life balance and to maintain a positive workplace culture. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of tips for managers to keep their employees motivated and happy all summer long.
Flexibility
Keep your employees happy during the summer months with a flexible schedule. According to Inc.com, flexible working hours increases employee productivity. By giving your employees a flexible work schedule, you’ll show your staff you understand the irresistible call of inner tubes and refreshing river rides.
Get Outside
Working inside all day while others enjoy the sun can be mentally straining. According to University Health News, Vitamin D has been known to increase dopamine and serotonin in the brain, putting people in a better mood. Take your employees outside for a meeting to soak up some rays rather than sitting under the conference room fluorescents. If you manage a retail business that needs constant staffing, encourage your employees to take their breaks outside.
4-Day Work Weeks
While it might not be an option for all businesses, summers are a great time to experiment with the 4-day work week. If your company can’t swing the shorter week, try to create staff schedules so that employees only work 4 days. And the best part of a 4-day work week is that you get to enjoy them too.
Encourage Personal Days
Just because it’s summer doesn’t mean everything will be sunshine all the time. Whether an employee has a family emergency, depression, or is just burnt out, the best way you can help is to encourage them to take a personal day. According to the fitness and wellness site, Shape.com, employees may be hesitant to use personal days for the fear that they will be perceived as lazy or unhappy by their manager or boss. Encouraging your employees to use their personal days will help cultivate a positive work-life balance at your company.
Be Understanding
Remember when you used to be the person behind the counter or stocking shelves? There were times you needed a day off, not just because you were sick, but also to just relax and recharge. Be empathetic and take comfort in knowing that your employees aren’t unhappy working for you, they just want to have some time to kick back. And with that said, you deserve a break too. So take one. You’ll be glad you did.
