The days might be getting shorter now (gasp), but the temperature is still on the rise, hopefully! Chat in the office is mostly about beach diets and discount airlines. The pavements are packed full of joggers and cyclists. There’s no denying that summer is in full swing. But is your business ready for the school summer holidays?
As always, a little preparation can go a long way. Here, we’re going to talk you through the considerations that you need to make to ensure that your business is fighting fit to contend with its upcoming challenges.
Are you keeping spirits high?
The summer can be a bit of an unsettling time for employees, and there are often many factors at play that can present unique issues. Team members are taking time off, sunny beer gardens seem much more appealing than the office, sporting events are scheduled for right in the middle of the working day. The list goes on and on.
So, it’s easy to see why motivation and engagement can sometimes be sorely lacking over the warmer months. Instead of trying to firefight problems once they arise, be proactive and consider what you can do to raise spirits. Organise an outdoor picnic during the lunch hour, treat your staff to an ice cream, or organise to have the biggest sporting events streamed into the workplace. Small gestures can often go a long way.
How will you handle a heat wave?
Okay, so this might be wishful thinking. But every now and again, the weather throws a pleasant surprise our way. Do you know what’s expected of you when it comes to managing the working environment when the temperatures soar? At the other end of the scale, workplace temperatures shouldn’t drop below 16 degrees Celsius. Interesting, there’s no upper guideline, which is partly because some industries require warmer conditions just to get the job done.
When there’s no legislation to refer to, use a bit of simple common sense. Is the office getting hot and stuffy? Is it uncomfortable for your staff? If so, think about making some adjustments. Fans can make a good quick fix, and you should always ensure that fresh cold water is available for drinking. And who knows, ‘flip-flop Friday’ could be your new thing!
Have you mapped out staffing requirements?
More often than not, the six-year (sorry, just feels like it) six-week, school summer holidays pose challenges in terms of making sure that you effectively manage the annual leave rota so work still gets done. The starting point here must involve working out what you need. How will you ensure the phones are answered, and queries are dealt with in a timely manner? How many team members need to be present at any given time? Go back to basics.
Don’t forget to think about how you can use this period to create opportunities. Members of staff who are eager to progress may be keen to step up and contribute to ongoing projects whilst their colleagues are away or take on a more diverse range of responsibilities to assist with their professional development.
Perhaps you’ve got your plan of action mapped out, and you’re confident that you’re ready for the summer. Or maybe you’re feeling disorganised and worried about the issues you know you’ll have to handle in the very near future. Need some help? That’s exactly why we’re here.
You can book an appointment at one of my summer HR Clinics or if you prefer, one of my limited availability 121 HR Director strategy sessions – but once these sessions are gone, they are gone! Make sure to visit our appointments diary pages today and bagsie your VIP time with me, before somebody else beats you to the punch.
Alternatively, give us a call today and tell us about your circumstances and we will see what we can do to help!
