The fast-approaching holiday season brings with it a mix of emotions for all individuals. While commonly associated with joy and cheer, the holidays can also be a time of extreme stress.
One study found that 88% of respondents believe the holidays to be the most stressful time of the year. What’s more, it was recorded that 84% of those same respondents indicated that the stress and anxiety surrounding the season started as early as November. As a manager, it can be difficult to watch your employees struggle through a difficult time, which is why we’re sharing tips so you can help your employees better navigate their holiday stress this season.
Be Proactive
Recognizing an employee in need is not always an easy task. Though the mental health concerns of individuals can sometimes go unnoticed, it’s important as a manager to do your best to recognize the associated signs and symptoms. By doing so, you can help remind and connect employees to important mental health resources and benefits available to them. Initiating this conversation often gives an employee the opportunity to discuss concerns they may not feel comfortable bringing up on their own.
Offer Support and Ask for Feedback
When it comes to the well-being of employees, regular check-ins can go a long way. Offering your support can be as simple as asking the question “How can I help?”This is an opportunity for employees to vocalize concerns that might not otherwise come up in conversation or that might go unnoticed by you. Additionally, asking for feedback on the support you have already provided can help to establish new initiatives to relieve stress. Understanding what is and isn’t working will improve your ability to lead by example, and subsequently help your employees better manage their needs.
Discuss Performance
As the year draws to an end, the holiday season can be a great time to reflect on employees’ performances over the past 12 months. Encourage employees to think back on their accomplishments to highlight their strengths and use that to build new goals for the year to come. This can also be a good time to reward strong performances through holiday bonuses, recognition, or even a simple thank-you email personalized to the individual. Learning about employee goals can also help you as a manager to encourage or provide new opportunities that are aligned with their objectives. As a manager, you succeed when your employees succeed, so make sure you’re providing as many opportunities to do so.
Putting it All Together
Though entirely preventing the stress of the holidays may be impossible, you can certainly do your best as a manager to mitigate it. Remember that the success of your organization depends on your employees’ well-being. That said, take some time this holiday season to show them you care. Write a personalized card, organize a holiday-themed party, or simply encourage people to take some time off to be with friends and family. Make the most of the end of the season by spreading some joy and cheer of your own. You can bet your employees will be grateful.
Learn more about how we can partner with you to help support your employees’ well-being -> https://ihealthox.com/employers/
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