Spread Joy, Not Stress: Nurturing Workplace Wellness During the Festive Season

The holiday season is a time of joy, celebration, and relaxation for most people. However, for employers and hiring leaders responsible for managing accounting and finance teams, it can also be a time of increased stress. With year-end financial reports, budget planning, and tax deadlines looming, it’s crucial to strike a balance between maintaining productivity and allowing your team to enjoy well-deserved time off.

To ensure you’re optimizing your team’s wellness strategies, don’t miss our workplace wellness survey, which can be found at the end!

Recognizing Your Financial Team

Did you know employees that receive regular recognition are eight times more engaged and productive¹? Recognizing and appreciating your finance and accounting team during the holidays is not only a kind gesture but also a smart business move. Showing your gratitude can boost morale and motivate your team to perform at their best. Here are some creative ways to show appreciation:

Creative Ways to Show Appreciation

1. Holiday Bonuses: Consider offering holiday bonuses to reward your team for their exceptional performance. A little extra cash can go a long way in boosting morale and making your employees feel valued.
2. Personalized Thank-You Notes: Write personalized thank-you notes to each team member, highlighting their specific contributions and achievements. Acknowledging their efforts on a personal level can foster a sense of recognition and appreciation.
3. Team Celebrations: Fact: organizations with recognition programs had 31% lower turnover². Organize holiday parties or team-building activities that allow your employees to relax and bond with their colleagues. This can help create a positive work environment and strengthen team cohesion. Tip: Don’t forget about virtual team members! Offer virtual options for those who cannot
4. Thoughtful Gifts: Consider giving thoughtful gifts that align with your team’s interests. Personalized gifts or tokens of appreciation show that you’ve taken the time to consider their preferences.
5. Flexible Work Arrangements: Allow for flexible work arrangements, such as remote work or adjusted schedules, to help your team better balance their work and personal commitments during the holiday season.

Remember that the key to effective recognition is sincerity. Tailor your efforts to the preferences and needs of your team members.

Navigating Time Off: Managing Holiday Leave & Workload

Managing holiday leave and workload efficiently is crucial to ensuring that your accounting and finance teams continue to meet their responsibilities during the holiday season. Here are some strategies to help you navigate this challenge:

Strategies for Efficient Workload Management

1. Plan Ahead: Encourage your team members to plan their holiday leave well in advance. By doing so, you can allocate resources and ensure that essential tasks are covered during their absence.
2. Cross-Training: Cross-train your employees to perform each other’s tasks. This ensures that there are backup options when someone is on vacation, preventing bottlenecks in your workflow.
3. Clear Communication: Clearly communicate your company’s holiday leave policies and expectations to your team. Make sure they understand how to request time off, the deadlines for submissions, and any blackout dates.
4. Limit Non-Essential Meetings: Limit meetings to those with a clear purpose and relevant participants. Set time limits, schedule strategically, and consider alternatives like emails or chats to avoid unnecessary interruptions and keep your team focused on essential tasks.
5. Implement Technology Solutions: Explore accounting software and financial tools that can streamline processes and reduce the manual workload. Investing in technology can help your team work more efficiently.
6. Encourage Work-Life Balance: 51% of employees report uneasiness when it comes to asking for time off during the holiday season³. Promote a culture of work-life balance within your organization. Encourage employees to take the time they need to recharge and spend quality time with their loved ones.
7. Consider Contract Staff: Hiring temporary or contract staff can provide a flexible solution to maintain productivity and cover staffing gaps during this time. Contract professionals often bring specialized skills and experience, bringing valuable support during peak periods without the long-term commitment of hiring full-time employees. Additionally, they can help relieve the workload on your existing staff, ensuring that important financial tasks are completed on time.

Conclusion

In conclusion, managing and maintaining your accounting and finance teams during the holiday season requires a delicate balance between recognizing their efforts and effectively managing workloads. Remember that a happy and well-appreciated team is more likely to deliver outstanding results throughout the year.

If you’re ready to implement these strategies for effectively managing your accounting and finance teams during the holiday season and need expert assistance, don’t hesitate to take action.

Contact our team of industry experts today to ensure a smooth and successful holiday season for your finance department HERE.

Workplace Wellness Survey

To help you gauge the holiday well-being of yourself and potentially evaluate your organization’s current situation, we’ve created the “Workplace Wellness” survey.

Each question can be scored on a 1-5 point system, with 1 being “Not at all” and 5 being “Absolutely.”

1. Holiday Freedom: How flexible is your workplace when it comes to taking time off during the holidays?
2. Do you feel like you can juggle holiday fun with work hours?
3. Benefits: Rate your satisfaction with the holiday-related benefits provided by the company.
4. Clear Vision for Role/Company: Do you have a clear understanding of your role and the company’s goals during the holiday season?
5. Stressful Workload: How stressed do you feel about your workload during the holiday season?
6. Learning/Development Opportunities: Rate the availability of opportunities for personal and professional growth during the holidays.

Taking Action Based on Your Scores

No matter where your total score falls, the Workplace Wellness during the Holidays Survey is a valuable tool for initiating positive change and fostering open discussions on how you can improve your situation.

Here are some steps you can take based on your scores:

• 10-20 Points: Uh-oh, it seems the holiday blues might be nipping at your heels. Don’t worry; you’re not alone. Let’s chat and find ways to sprinkle some holiday cheer into your life.
• 20-30 Points: Not too shabby, but there’s room for improvement. Let’s chat about what’s on your mind, and together we’ll jingle all the way to a merrier holiday season. Click here to reach out and make the magic happen.
• 30-40 Points: You’re on the nice list! Keep the good vibes going, and let’s find those little tweaks that can make your holidays even brighter. Connect with us to discuss how you can make your holiday season even merrier.
• 40-50 Points: You’re the holiday superstar! But remember, even Santa checks his list twice. Click here to chat with us about making your holidays shine even brighter!

Let’s turn your holiday season from “meh” to “hooray!” Click here to contact us and improve your holiday well-being score. 

Sources

1. https://www.cooleaf.com/blog/5-employee-recognition-statistics-that-prove-the-power-of-appreciation
2. https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/blog/human-capital-blog/2023/future-of-total-rewards.html
3. https://www.westmonroe.com/perspectives/report/employee-productivity-during-the-holiday-season-hinges-on-the-right-incentives-and-the-ability-to-wo