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Sunshine and warmer days are in full swing, and the official start of summer is right around the corner. This usually means that employees’ thoughts are turned towards making the most of the season with rest, relaxation, and travel. Although summer is commonly associated with fun and sun, it can also present a range of unique HR challenges.
To help keep your organization running smoothly and efficiently this season, there are a few things you can do to prepare for summer success. Think of it like sunscreen for your HR needs!
Shore Up Your Employee Leave Policies
Fortunately for vacation-seekers, there are a number of statutory holidays in Canada and the US that take place during the warmer months. This allows employees to maximize their paid time off by scheduling seasonal travel around these holidays, which means that many organizations will see an increase in vacation requests.To ensure fairness in granting time off requests, in addition to making sure there’s adequate staffing coverage throughout the season, it’s a good idea to review and shore up your employee leave policies before the wave of vacation requests comes in.
Another factor to consider is legislative change around employee leave. In a previous article on the TPD blog, we highlighted a number of updates in Canada regarding the type and length of leave employees are entitled to.
Whether your company is located in Canada or the US, it’s a good idea to stay on top of federal and provincial/state regulations that may have an impact on your organization’s vacation policies. This step can help minimize any unexpected complications around time off requests during a hectic holiday period.
Feeling Flexible? Consider Remote Work Options
For employees that are parents, summer can present a whole host of potential scheduling challenges. Summertime activities, holidays, and daytime childcare all contribute to a full calendar. Offering flexibility around employee schedules, including remote work options, is a great way for employers to help alleviate summer scheduling stresses.If your organization doesn’t currently offer a remote work option, it may be something you’d like to consider. Why? It’s been shown that there are a number of benefits associated with allowing employees to work remotely, including increased employee satisfaction and productivity. When creating effective remote work policies, there are a few important factors to consider, however, the increased flexibility goes a long way towards keeping employees engaged and happy all year round.
Just as you would review your employee leave policies, if your company does currently offer flexible scheduling or the option to work remotely, it’s a good idea to go over those policies to make sure they’re as prepared for the season as your employees likely are.
Dressing for the Weather
One way to help make team members more comfortable during the sweltering summer months is to implement a more relaxed dress code. Depending on your organization’s usual policies around attire, a summer dress code could mean anything from not requiring formal suits, to allowing jeans or sleeveless shirts and shorts.Of course, effective summer clothing policies should always be a reflection of your company’s image, and contain clearly-written guidelines that offer a balance between comfort, safety, and business needs.
Maintaining Motivation
When the sun is shining and it’s gorgeous outside, it can be hard to keep your eyes from wandering from the work at hand to the window. It’s a common summertime phenomenon that as temperatures rise, focus starts to drop.To help keep members of your team engaged, why not try embracing the weather? Consider holding certain meetings outside if possible, or plan summer-themed company activities such as picnics and barbecues. Providing a chance for employees to enjoy a breath of fresh air and a bit of sunshine can help go a long way towards maintaining motivation in the workplace.
Is your company set for summer? If you require assistance with preparing your organization to weather the warmer months, the experts at TPD would be happy to help. We can assist with everything from policy creation and review, to providing staffing coverage for expected (or unexpected) absences. Feel free to get in touch with our team here, or give us a call at 1.888.685.3530.
