Outside the window is summer, and most managers look at the vacation schedule. It is not surprising that summer is one of the least productive seasons. Reports showed 25% of employees find it difficult to concentrate on their work during this hot period.
Fortunately, there are some things that you as a manager and your company as an organization can do to keep your employees positive and focused during the summer months. The implementation of even a few of the tips listed below will show your employees that you care about their well-being and help them to do high-quality work, even when they would rather be on the lake. This is a great motivation.
1. Allow employees to work remotely
For many employees, remote work can be a great solution to increase productivity and balance between work and personal life in the summer months. Allowing your employees to work from home (or from the beach, cottage, cafe) will lead to a happier, healthier workforce, which will result in more productivity.
2. Employee appreciation days
One of the best ways to increase employee engagement is to show that you value them. Holding an Employee Evaluation Day two or three times during the summer may be exactly what will support staff productivity.
You can organize the event super simply by making a barbecue on site or ordering lunch for the office. You can also take a step forward by planning an event day or a picnic for your employees. This can not only act as a connecting opportunity, but it also sends a positive signal to your employees, which can help to maintain positivity throughout the summer.
3. Providing temporary day care options
This option is not suitable for every organization, but if you have the space and the means to provide your employees with a childcare solution in the office, it has great advantages in productivity at the workplace.
Reliable, high-quality kindergartens are often difficult to find, especially in the summer months.
4. Set short-term goals instead of large projects
It can be a convenient option for managers to assign large projects with a long deadline during the summer. This allows employees not to worry about what they missed during their vacation, and gives them time to solve everyday problems that may arise. This is a great plan, but it can cause unnecessary stress for your employees.
5. Set summer time
This advice is probably one of the most difficult to convince employers to accept, why should they pay their employees for a full week of work if they do not invest in a full week of time? The reality is that there are many advantages to this, both for the employee and the employer. Providing flexible summer work schedules helps employees feel more productive and do more work when they are in the office.
6. Change the decor of the office
The atmosphere your employees feel in the office can mean the difference between a productive day and hours of daydreaming. A boring, cramped office usually does not inspire employees to do their best, especially when the outside is green grass and sunlight. A few decor changes may be an option.
7. Bring employees together outside of work
Many managers do not see the benefits of team building, but when done correctly, the result of these activities can significantly improve the way your employees work together. Taking your employees out of the office to collaborate on an event helps reduce stress and allows most people to experience something new.
8. Encourage staff to go outside during the day
Sometimes it's just too good outside to be happy in the office, and your staff needs vitamin D to boost energy. Encourage your employees to have lunch and take breaks on the street, and they will return to work rested.