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Mobilizing your teams during the holiday season

2018-12-28

4 minutes

Sylvie Lepage

Human resources


Sylvie Lepage

Human resources

The holiday season has begun and, just like last year, Jean-Simon will have to work during this period when most of his colleagues are on break. As an accountant, he must give one last "sprint" to close his employer's financial year. Tired from the last few intense weeks at work, he is disappointed not to be able to accompany his wife and children to the family dinner.

Martine, a customer service coordinator for a transportation company for 15 years, has to cancel her holiday vacation because her team is short-staffed. She feels sad about having to cancel her New Year's party with her friends and she doesn't feel like working.



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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A member of the Ordre des CRHA and a certified management coach (RCC), Sylvie Lepage founded the consulting firm Innovation RH in 2004, specializing in human resources management. She has a significant number of strategic mandates in human resources management, management coaching, organizational development, talent management and compensation to her credit.

With a bachelor's degree in business administration from the Université de Sherbrooke, she is recognized for her business acumen and charismatic leadership. Whether in a start-up context, rapid growth, organizational or technological change management, she supports her clients and their employees in order to optimize an organization's most valuable asset: human resources. Her interventions are personalized according to the specific needs of the mandates. With her clients' success at heart, she recommends simple solutions while generously sharing her knowledge and expertise.

During her career, Sylvie actively participated in business acquisition and merger projects and successfully started human resources services for SMEs both in Quebec and internationally.

Passionate about her profession, she stands out for her human and mobilizing approach as well as her desire to help people.

Sylvie Lepage

ABOUT

Just like Jean-Simon and Martine, many people will have to work while their loved ones are resting or celebrating. Disappointment, lack of motivation, family logistics put to the test… How can you mobilize your teams at work during this hectic time of year? Here are some actions to consider:

Greet and thank people Take a few minutes upon arrival at the office to greet and thank your employees. A simple gesture that will value them and help give meaning to their work. They will appreciate the direct person-to-person contact and a thank you expressed in an authentic way. Prepare a small personalized card for each member of your team and take the opportunity to highlight the good things done during the year. A thoughtful gesture that will generate good humor and increase commitment.


Have the party spirit

Take advantage of a morning opportunity to welcome employees with special hot drinks and small bites for lunch. Create atmosphere in the cafeteria with music, some decorations or a small relaxation area "chalet" with lights and a decorative fireplace. Simple small changes will create a pleasant atmosphere and have a positive effect on the work climate.

Show flexibility

Evaluate the possibility of offering more flexible schedules to allow employees to do their holiday shopping, to successfully participate in important family events or simply to ease the burden of work-life balance management. Such a measure will reduce stress levels and promote better concentration.






Reward with relaxation

Offer employees a relaxing time with chair massages. This gift will be greatly appreciated to relieve tense muscles and promote well-being.

Working in slippers

Why not offer your employees the opportunity to work remotely for a few days during the holiday season? Obviously, the company must be able to equip its remote resource, but when possible, a day of teleworking "in slippers" sheltered from storms and out of traffic... it's priceless!

Cut the day short?

If the business context allows it, there is a way to pleasantly surprise your team members by offering to finish the day early. A gesture that will put a balm on the end of the year.

Doing things differently in the future?

Could we think about the holiday season differently in the future, especially for companies whose activities are slowing down? Offer more flexibility, additional time off, reduced hours, or even vacations, in line with organizational needs? It goes without saying that work is essential for some organizations during this period, while for others, questioning themselves can have positive repercussions, particularly on the attraction and loyalty factor. After a break, employees generally come back more rested, more mobilized and more willing to invest themselves in their work.





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