Office Activities for Summer

As an employer, it seems that the appearance of firework advertisements and white clothing bring along with it a reminder for companies large and small: the onset of the summer season. The unspoken rule is that the summer season runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day, and this is the time of year when employers might find themselves debating flexible work schedules, less restrictive workplace dress codes, and planning office activities for summer.

The goal is to prepare events and activities that encourage camaraderie between employees as well as an opportunity to enjoy warmer weather and, depending on the industry, a decreased volume in work.

With respect to work schedules, due to extended daylight hours and enticing warm weather, especially for those residing in the cooler regions of the country, employees may show interest in working an alternate work schedule during the summer season. As many businesses experience a decreased workload during this time frame, it is recommended that the senior management team considers an alternate or compressed work week schedule. Employers should, however, keep in mind that this alternate schedule must be applied equitably to employees and its implementation must assure that adequate staffing will remain in place.

Casual summer dress codes are another subject that often leaves managers perplexed. Whereas many otherwise professional business or business casual oriented work environments may craft a relaxed summertime dress code, especially in regions where the temperatures may rise along with the humidity, it is essential that dress code expectations are clearly disseminated to all employees in order to assure clarity with regard to the appropriateness of attire in a relaxed summertime dress code. It is recommended that a memo is distributed company-wide prior to the onset of the warmer season. This will provide employees with an opportunity to review and acknowledge the parameters in place for a relaxed dress code during the summer months. It is imperative to clearly communicate that the standard dress code may be implemented at any time during the summer months, especially if the company will have clients or prospective customers visiting its location.

Finally, an employer planning summertime activities has several factors to address, including whether an event will be during business hours or outside regular working hours; whether family members will be included in the activity and whether alcoholic beverages will be permitted at the employer-sponsored event. Company picnics are a popular choice as they provide employers with an opportunity to host a casual, relatively inexpensive event for employees. Permitting family members to attend is an ideal means of encouraging employees to introduce their colleagues and their family members to one another.

Employers and HR professionals should keep in mind that although such an event may be casual in nature, it is an employer-sponsored event, and therefore, employees are expected to adhere to the employer’s policies with regard to their behavior at the event. Employers should therefore have a clearly designated drug and alcohol policy in place which includes company sponsored events whether offsite or onsite within its guidelines regarding employee behavior.

Summertime is a great time of year for employees to feel more relaxed as they anticipate lower work volumes, vacation time, less stringent dress codes and flexible work weeks. By implementing clearly drafted workplace policies regarding the topics discussed in this article, an employer will be well-prepared to address the summer season and the workplace changes that arrive with the influx of white and brightly colored fabrics.