As we draw close to December HR departments have nightmares some of which will include:
1. How to deal with employees who get drunk at parties and start fraternities with colleagues.
- Paying Christmas bonuses even when the Company is making losses.
- Forcing employees to work overtime and not come back with lots of backlog after the festive season.
- Overwhelming requests for leave during the festive season.
- Identifying who is faking sickness and who is genuinely sick just to get an extra week away from work.
- The best approach to gift clients during the Christmas season.
- Low morale and a slip in the dress code during the Christmas season……and so much more.
When the Company spends money on a Christmas party it’s not enough. Employees will want vouchers- I mean why not. Duh! They worked all year. After they receive the vouchers they will want an extended holiday till 10th January 2024. If you don’t grant it you’re insensitive because Christmas comes once a year. Doesn’t it?
Firstly: Everyone needs to take a break especially when business operations are not demanding like during Christmas. However if you’re HR you don’t have to heap pressure on yourself giving people toys like Santa. Employees are human and sometimes they will understand or get disappointed. So rather than emptying your HR account spend what is budgeted for and be creative. I know an executive who couldn’t afford vouchers for her employees. She asked her managers to write personal letters to each of their staff, thanking them for a great year and attach a $20 voucher which was quarter of the normal vouchers they used to give. It worked. People appreciate when you say, “Hey Dan I appreciate you for being a great guy this year. It’s not been the greatest of years it never the less you have have worked your socks off. Here is $20 to reduce on your Christmas budget. Let’s make 2024 better”
Secondly: Do you really need a Christmas party or you’re doing it because it’s the Corporate thing to do? Sudesh when is a party necessary? When you have achieved your targets. Everything short of that is rewarding the wrong thing. When you reward people whether they achieve targets or not you create entitlement which is a sin especially when it comes to Christmas.
I will do an Xspace on the pressures of employees during Christmas soon. Wait for it.
Enjoy the season!
