How to Brighten Your Home Care Employees’ Experience During the Holidays

#1 Holiday Stress: Balancing Holiday Events & Work Obligations

During the holidays, 51% of workers report being more cheerful at work, but 35% also report feeling more stressed than any other time of the year. Take time as an employer to speak with your employees’ and be aware of their individual feelings and needs around this time of year.

In a survey by Accountemps, employees’ reported the top five reasons for holiday stress being: 1) balancing holiday events and work obligations 2) taking time off and coming back to a heavy workload 3) having fewer people available to help with their workload 4) buying gifts for coworkers/business contacts and 5) attending holiday office events.

Most likely, your employees’ stress is coming from these five sources or others similar to these. Take time during the holidays to listen your employees and structure your holiday scheduling and benefits around their stresses and needs.

Unwrap Your Employees’ Stress This Holiday Season

There are many ways in which you can help your employees be happier, healthier and less stressed during the holidays. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Allow for Schedule Flexibility

During the holiday season, the demand for caregivers is generally higher than most other times of the year. Be flexible with employees’ holiday schedules so they can enjoy more time with family and friends. It’s never too early to start asking employees to request time off and give their holiday schedules ahead of time.

Openly communicate the company’s holiday workload. Express the value each employee adds to alleviating that workload. Helping employees’ see the bigger picture and feel valued can increase their productivity and positivity during the holidays.

Invite Your Employees Over for Holiday Meals & Events

Some of your employees may not have family or friends living close by and could use a home-cooked meal and some extra love and support during the holidays. Ask your leadership team if they’d be willing to open up their homes to let other employees join them for holiday meals and gatherings.

This is a unique opportunity to get to know your employees on a more personal level and also show them that you value them as an employee.

At Home Care Pulse, our leadership team has made this a priority year after year. Erik Madsen, Home Care Pulse CEO, has a standing invitation at his table for Thanksgiving, for any HCP employees who don’t have a place to go.

Home-cooked meals, gift exchanges and inclusion in family get-togethers has brightened the spirits of a number of our employees that don’t have family in close proximity.

Give Employees Incentives to Stay Motivated at Work During the Holidays

Home care workers, like other employees in service-based industries, don’t really get a break during the holidays. Clients’ needs are a top priority around the holidays with cold weather, illnesses, loss, and loneliness weighing on their minds.

The demands of the job can be difficult for caregivers and office staff alike during the holidays.  Providing holiday incentives or bonuses can keep employees engaged and motivated, even when they’re asked to work longer hours.

Simple ideas like gift cards, treats and thank you notes can go a long way. Wherever possible, holiday bonuses  or an additional 1-2 days of PTO can also spread joy to your employees as well.

Another idea could be offering health-related bonuses or incentives to motivate your staff to stay active around the holidays.  Encourage caregivers’ and office staff to track their steps or exercise around the holidays and provide daily or weekly rewards.

Some companies have seen success in creating friendly holiday challenges or competitions amongst employees. Something like the 30-Day Gratitude Challenge, for example, can help your employees learn gratitude in the workplace and in their personal lives.

Encourage Giving Back

Around the holidays it’s easy for us to get caught up in our own lives and personal needs. As an agency owner or member of a leadership team, set the example of giving back this holiday season.

Giving back can look like volunteering at a local shelter, donating to local charities, giving gifts to a neighborhood family in need, inviting friends in need over for meals, or participating in community gatherings around the holidays.

In the home care industry, we are constantly providing service and turning outward for our clients. Find ways for your team to serve and give back as a company. Offering collective service can unite your team and help the company remember the reason for the season.

As your agency makes it a priority to turn outward together and individually around the holidays, you can expect to see increased motivation, appreciation and productivity from your team.

Help Your Employees Avoid Holiday Job-Fatigue

The holiday season can be filled with joy and anticipation or it can be filled with too much food and stress. As an employer, set the tone for your team. Begin implementing some of the ideas listed above and tailor these ideas to meet the needs of your employees.

Listed above are only a handful of ideas to help you get started. Here are a few more resources that can help you keep your employees happy, healthy and engaged this holiday season:

Keeping Employees Engaged and Healthy Over the Holidays

Happier During the Holidays?

Supporting Your Employees During the Holiday Season

From Home Care Pulse to your agency, we want to wish you and your team happy holidays. May we all remember to turn outward serve those around us this holiday season!

Drop us a comment below with other ideas or experiences you’ve had supporting your employees around the holidays!