With holiday gift lists calling for attention, celebrations large and small, plus plans with family and friends, there are a lot of distractions competing for our attention during the holiday season. So, it’s only natural that employees would be less engaged at this time. But proactive managers can actually encourage engagement by creating workplace “distractions” that capture the holiday spirit and bring the team together. Here are some of our favorites:
Take the team to a holiday movie. “Feel good” movies are everywhere during the holidays. If your organization is small, a movie date (complete with popcorn, of course) would bring all of your employees together for a happy outing that’s sure to deliver a healthy dose of “positivity.” Is your workforce large? Then give the movie date as a reward to a top-performing team.
Have an ugly sweater day. Most of your people probably have at least one of these buried in the back of their closet. Why not celebrate ugly sweaters, capping the event with a catered, on-site holiday lunch or a potluck? Have employees bring in their favorite holiday treats.
Give employees the gift of “errand time.” A big distraction for employees at this time of year is trying to squeeze so much activity into after-work hours and weekends. Why not “give” your employees the gift of a half-day off (with pay) during the work week? As a bonus, consider letting them choose the date, assuming it aligns with departmental deadlines.
Create a team of community volunteers. The Dale Carnegie organization has found that “engagement levels are twice as high when employees are proud of contributions their company has made to the community.” During this season of giving, why not create teams that can give back to their community by volunteering at a soup kitchen, an animal shelter or similar place. If that isn’t feasible, make the office a place for collecting winter clothing—mittens, caps, scarves—or toys to donate to a designated community organization.
At the holidays, especially, it’s important to keep employees engaged. By going with the flow of the season’s spirit, instead of pushing against it, you’ll push engagement to even higher levels.
Are you looking for fresh ways to engage your workforce in the coming year? Contact a Marketing Innovators solutions specialist for ideas that match your goals and your budget.
