Christmas stress at work can become a significant psychosocial risk if not addressed proactively by Human Resources managers. While the holiday season includes several days off, and many people use this time to clear their annual leave, Christmas often fails to provide the relaxation and unwinding one might expect. Instead, it can be a time of professional and personal overload, impacting our mood and well-being.
Key considerations for managing Christmas stress at work: Two perspectives
Effectively managing Christmas stress at work involves understanding employees’ and HR leaders’ different needs and perspectives. By recognising these viewpoints, organisations can implement strategies that support everyone during the holiday season. Studies show that 3 in 10 Brits claim their mental health takes a complete ‘nosedive’ over the Christmas period. Here are some key considerations both employees and leaders should take into account before the Christmas period.
Employee perspective
| Consideration | Details |
|---|---|
| Work organisation before the holidays | Plan and prioritise tasks that need to be completed before taking time off and those that will wait until your return. Participate in team meetings to ensure everyone is aligned on responsibilities. |
| Digital disconnection during holidays | Take real breaks by disconnecting from work emails and messages outside of working hours and during your vacation. This will help you recharge and reduce Christmas stress at work. |
| Caution with work Christmas dinners | Choose whether to attend work Christmas dinners based on your comfort level. If you decide to go, approach it as a chance to relax and bond with colleagues in a stress-free manner. |
HR leaders perspective
| Consideration | Details |
|---|---|
| Work organisation before the holidays | Coordinate with teams to ensure tasks are delegated and scheduled efficiently before holidays. Facilitate collaborative sessions to streamline workflows and accommodate varying holiday schedules. |
| Digital disconnection during holidays | Establish and communicate clear policies that encourage employees to disconnect fully during their time off. Lead by example in respecting these boundaries and reinforcing the importance of downtime to manage Christmas stress at work. |
| Caution with work Christmas dinners | Organise company events with sensitivity to diverse needs and preferences. Provide flexible participation options and create an inclusive atmosphere to ensure all employees feel comfortable and valued. |
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Continuous support for mental well-being
Beyond the festive season, continuous support for mental well-being is essential throughout the year. By implementing regular well-being programs and providing access to mental health resources, organisations can create a resilient workforce better equipped to handle stressors.
This includes offering workshops on stress management, maintaining a flexible work environment, and providing ongoing access to counselling services. Such initiatives not only reduce Christmas stress at work but also contribute to long-term employee satisfaction and productivity.
The Leadership Lens🔎
During the holiday season, managers play a crucial role in alleviating workplace stress. This time of year can be particularly challenging as employees juggle increased workloads and personal commitments. Managers can make a significant impact by fostering an environment of open communication, where team members feel safe to express their concerns and stressors. By doing so, managers can identify issues early and provide the necessary support.
Additionally, managers should lead by example in promoting work-life balance, encouraging employees to take time off and respect personal boundaries. By modeling these behaviors, they set a precedent for a healthier work environment.
Protecting mental well-being in organisations
At ifeel, we do not want Christmas stress at work to affect your team members. It is important to avoid any negative impact on their psychological well-being inside and outside of work.
To facilitate this process, we encourage you to download our Psychosocial Risk Factors template to prevent mental health problems at work. You will be able to identify and efficiently address the relationship between psychosocial risks and mental health at work, promoting your employees’ well-being and your company’s productivity. Download the template now and improve your work environment!
To support companies in this process, our team of expert workplace well-being psychologists has created a mental well-being solution for businesses that improves talent retention, reduces presenteeism, and combats employee stress.
With our mental well-being solution, your company’s HR managers can receive personalised, data-driven advice on improving mental health at work. In addition, this solution offers employees a 360° mental well-being service structured at different levels according to their needs. Try our solution now to see how it could help you.
We hope you found this article on Christmas stress at work interesting. If you would like more information about our mental well-being solution for companies, simply request it, and we will contact your team as soon as possible.
