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The holiday season is a welcome break for many employees. But for employers, it can also bring challenges. With time-off requests piling up, year-end deadlines looming, and reduced staffing levels, staying productive can feel daunting.
The good news? With the right planning and mindset, the holiday season doesn’t have to derail your business. In fact, it can be an opportunity to reset priorities, strengthen your team, and head into the new year on solid footing.
Here are practical strategies to help employers stay productive while supporting employees who are taking well-deserved time off.
1. Plan Ahead for Time-Off Requests
One of the biggest productivity killers during the holidays is uncertainty. Encourage employees to submit vacation requests early, and communicate any blackout dates or minimum-staffing requirements well in advance.
Having visibility into who will be out and when allows managers to adjust workloads, plan coverage, and avoid last-minute disruptions.
Pro tip: Use a centralized PTO tracking system so managers and employees can easily see coverage gaps and plan accordingly.
2. Prioritize What Truly Matters
The end of the year is not the time to overload your team with nonessential projects. Take a step back and identify what must get done before year-end versus what can wait until January.
By narrowing your focus to high-impact tasks, you reduce stress on remaining staff and ensure that limited resources are used wisely.
Ask yourself:
- Which deadlines are immovable?
- Which initiatives can pause temporarily?
- Where can expectations be adjusted without harming the business?
3. Cross-Train Employees Before the Holidays
Cross-training is one of the most effective ways to maintain continuity during employee absences. When team members understand each other’s responsibilities, work doesn’t stall when someone is out.
Encourage employees to document key processes, share knowledge, and train backups before the holiday season begins. This not only helps during time off, but it also strengthens your organization year-round.
4. Embrace Flexible Scheduling Where Possible
Flexibility is often expected during the holidays, and strategically offering it can improve productivity. Adjusted schedules, remote work options, or condensed workweeks may help employees stay engaged while balancing personal commitments.
When employees feel trusted and supported, they’re often more focused and efficient during working hours.
5. Set Clear Communication Expectations
Unclear communication can quickly slow things down when teams are short-staffed. Make expectations clear around:
- Response times during time off
- Who is responsible for approvals or decisions
- How urgent issues should be escalated
Encourage employees to set out-of-office messages that clearly direct coworkers or clients to the appropriate contacts.
6. Use the Season to Prepare for the New Year
While day-to-day operations may slow slightly, the holiday season is an ideal time for planning. Employers can use this quieter period to:
- Review processes and workflows
- Prepare goals and budgets for the new year
- Clean up HR, payroll, or compliance loose ends
- Reflect on what worked (and didn’t) over the past year
This proactive approach can make January far less chaotic.
7. Show Appreciation to Boost Morale
Productivity isn’t just about output. It’s about motivation. Recognizing employees who step up during the holidays goes a long way toward maintaining morale and engagement.
A simple thank-you, flexible scheduling, or a small holiday perk can reinforce goodwill and help prevent burnout during a demanding time of year.
8. Balance Productivity With People
The most successful employers recognize that the holidays are about balance. Supporting employees’ time off while maintaining business continuity isn’t just good management—it’s good culture.
With thoughtful planning, clear communication, and a focus on what truly matters, employers can stay productive through the holiday season and set their teams up for a strong start in the new year.
GTM Can Help You Stay Productive
GTM has the resources to help you and your employees succeed during the holidays or any time of year. Our payroll and HR platform, isolved, lets you easily track and manage time off requests. It includes features designed to reward innovation and success, recognize your top employees, and engage your workforce more effectively. Request a free quote to learn more.
