Managing holiday stress in the workplace
By Laura Calcaterra, LPC, CEAP | BenefitsPRO
Although the holidays are often a time of joy and excitement, for some employees, this can be a difficult season for any number of reasons. Looming year-end deadlines, family tension, financial concerns, and other issues often lead to stress and anxiety for many people, and these challenges can impact employees’ mental wellbeing, as well as spill over into the workplace.
For brokers and advisors, it is important to think about how these factors can impact both clients and their employees. Consider the impact of the extra pressure of a shortened work month combined with additional personal, financial, and family obligations, which can increase stress during this time of year. High expectations to create a perfect holiday for those around us, even if self-imposed, can often add pressure and exacerbate these challenges.
For others, the holidays can bring other, more long-term issues to the surface. Whether they recently lost a loved one, are experiencing ongoing financial issues, or facing any number of other challenges, the holidays can compound these problems and create further stress, anxiety and depression among these employees.
When these factors multiply, the results can negatively impact our mental health and wellbeing, as well as those around us, affecting not only employees’ personal lives, but their work performance and productivity as well. Ensuring clients have the tools to identify potential issues related to holiday stress and are set up to provide support or resources can help them and their employees have a happier, less stressful holiday season.
When to step in
Knowing what to look for is the first step in helping address potential issues. There are a few key signs that can indicate employees may be experiencing higher-than-normal stress or anxiety, including:
- Changes in typical behavior, such as becoming uncharacteristically irritable or withdrawn
- Changes in appearance or hygiene
- Lack of focus or concentration
- Unusual tension with other colleagues
- Changes in quality of work performance/reduction in productivity
- Absenteeism/presenteeism
While these signs can help managers and supervisors identify employees who may be facing challenges this season, it is important to proactively provide valuable resources to the entire workforce to ensure all have access to help if needed.
How to help clients support their employees
There are a number of steps brokers and advisors can counsel their clients to consider to help boost morale and reduce stress among employees during this time of year. For HR professionals, managers and supervisors, setting an example that prioritizes compassion and support can go a long way toward creating a companywide culture of understanding that takes into account what employees may have going on both in and out of work at the moment. The following are just a few possibilities to keep in mind, but think about what will be best for the unique members of each team to help during this hectic season.
Practice flexibility. Set realistic expectations and implement policies, whether formal or informal, to show support of employees. For example, many employees may have kids home over the winter break with limited childcare support. To help them manage more effectively, try offering flexible hours over the holidays to work with their schedules.
Encourage breaks. Ensure employees are taking their earned time off; this is critical to avoid burnout. Emphasize the importance of staying home when sick to avoid spreading illness among the team while giving that employee the time they need to get healthy.
Beyond time away from work, encourage the team to minimize calls and meetings when possible – these often eat up productive time that employees need to wrap up year-end projects. Additionally, ask that everyone curtail after-hours emails that add extra stress and pressure to an already busy season. Lastly, motivate the team to work together to prioritize projects, manage pending deadlines that create extra stress, and share the workload so no one employee is taking the brunt while others are taking time off.
Make time to unwind. Offer opportunities to boost morale and reduce stress among the entire team, such as incorporating group wellness breaks or encouraging employees to take walks outside. Taking time to catch up as a group over coffee or host a holiday lunch can also make a positive impact.
Provide access to valuable resources. Introduce or remind employees of the available benefits and other programs that may be especially helpful for them and their families at the moment. These offerings may not be top of mind during this busy season, so now is the time to communicate to employees to ensure they are aware of the resources they have access to, including but not limited to:
- Employee assistance programs (EAPs) often offer short-term assistance to address a number of personal or professional concerns including stress, depression, family issues, substance abuse, and more. Services often include confidential counseling with a licensed professional counselor by phone and/or in person to help someone get through a tough time. For those employees who may need further support, EAP specialists can direct participants to qualified long-term help.
- Wellbeing resources and apps provide fitness tips and other prompts to help employees take better care of themselves physically, which can also have an impact on their mental state.
- Financial wellness programs can help them budget and plan for holiday expenses.
While these efforts can make a positive difference for many employees experiencing temporary stress, it is important to step in, as appropriate, if any individuals show signs of a more serious problem. Prolonged issues should be addressed as soon as possible for the health and safety of the employee. For organizations with an EAP in place, HR or managers can help guide employees to available resources to help address or resolve a wide variety of concerns. The EAP can also help provide expert suggestions, trainings, support and more, now and throughout the year.
With the holidays officially in full swing, many employees may be feeling the stress of the season weighing upon them, but brokers and advisors can help their clients ensure employees have support and are aware of resources that can provide valuable assistance during this time and throughout the year, leading to happier holidays for all.
Laura Calcaterra, Clinical Director, Health Advocate EAP+Work/Life Services, is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Certified Employee Assistance Professional who has worked in various mental health settings including EAP and 24/7 crisis support for over 25 years.