Unlock Holiday Cheer: Game-Changing Tips for Managers to Manage Holiday Stress in the Workplace
Holiday Stress for Employees
The holiday season often brings heightened stress levels for employees, driven by a combination of personal, financial, and workplace factors. According to a survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of the American Psychological Association (APA) in November 2023, nearly nine in 10 U.S. adults (89%) experience stress during the holiday season due to concerns like financial pressures, missing loved ones, and anticipating family conflicts. As an employer, acknowledging these stressors and taking proactive steps can foster a supportive environment that benefits both your employees and your organization.
Sources of Holiday Stress for Employees
Research highlights several key stressors employees face during the holidays:
- Work-Family Balance: Employees often struggle to balance work obligations with holiday preparations and family responsibilities. The APA survey found that nearly one-third of individuals worry about work interfering with family time during the holidays.
- Financial Pressures: Financial concerns are the most cited cause of stress during the holidays, with 58% of U.S. adults saying they worry about spending too much or not having enough money. Employees in households earning less than $50,000 annually report higher stress levels (24%) compared to those earning over $100,000 (18%).
- Time Constraints: The holiday rush to meet personal and professional obligations leaves employees feeling overwhelmed. A significant portion of respondents in the APA survey indicated that lack of time contributes to their stress during the holidays.
- Workplace Expectations: While holiday celebrations at work aim to boost morale, they can also add stress. Employees may feel pressure to participate in activities, particularly when these occur outside work hours, potentially conflicting with family obligations.
- Health and Wellbeing: Comfort foods, alcohol, and the tendency to overindulge during the holidays can exacerbate stress. The APA survey also noted that around 38% of adults turn to negative coping mechanisms, such as isolating themselves or changing their eating habits, during this season.
Steps Employers Can Take to Mitigate Stress
Employers can play a role in reducing holiday stress for their employees by implementing targeted strategies:
- Flexible Scheduling:
- Allow employees to adjust their work hours to accommodate holiday commitments.
- Provide additional time off or promote the use of vacation days to facilitate work-life balance.
- Clear Communication of Time-Off Policies:
- Provide advance notice of holiday schedules to enable employees to plan effectively. Clear and consistent communication reduces uncertainty and associated stress.
- Financial Support and Recognition:
- Offer end-of-year bonuses or financial incentives to ease holiday-related expenses.
- Organize affordable or no-cost holiday events to ensure inclusivity.
- Encouraging Disconnect During Time Off:
- Advise employees to refrain from checking work emails or engaging in work-related tasks during their time off. Encourage a true break to rest and recharge.
- Avoid sending work emails or texts during employees’ time off to prevent them from feeling obligated to respond.
- Promote Wellness Initiatives:
- Host wellness activities like yoga sessions, stress management workshops, or healthy holiday walks.
- Provide access to mental health resources and remind employees of available benefits, such as Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs).
- Foster a Supportive Culture:
- Encourage managers to regularly check in with their teams and offer support.
- Create a culture where employees feel comfortable discussing their stressors and identifying helpful solutions.
- Rethink Holiday Celebrations:
- Keep workplace festivities optional and low-pressure. Consider activities that focus on team-building rather than financial outlays.
- Schedule workplace activities during standard working hours to ensure they don’t conflict with family obligations.
- Offer alternatives to gift exchanges, such as volunteering opportunities or charity drives.
- Flexible Work Arrangements:
- Offer remote work options or hybrid schedules during the holidays to help employees balance personal and professional responsibilities.
Conclusion
The holidays can be a time of joy and connection, but for many employees, they also bring significant stress. Employers who take deliberate steps to understand and address these stressors can create a workplace environment that supports their teams during this demanding season. According to the APA survey, while 84% of U.S. adults agree that the holidays create a sense of togetherness, 43% report that stress interferes with their ability to enjoy the season. By fostering flexibility, promoting wellness, providing clear communication, and alleviating financial and workload pressures, employers can help ensure the holidays are a time of celebration for everyone.
Written by Lisa J Meier with support from ChatGPT.
Citation: American Psychological Association. (2023). Nearly nine in 10 U.S. adults say something causes them stress during the holiday season. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org.
The survey on which this data and article are based was conducted among 2,061 adults by The Harris Poll between Nov. 14 and 16, 2023.