It’s common knowledge for those who have ever worked a role in hospitality that holidays don’t guarantee time off. In fact, many employers in the industry require staff to work all major holidays, as this is often the busiest time of the year for establishments. Working any job while friends and family take time off to celebrate can be difficult, so both business owners and managers must make efforts to support their employees during the season. Doing so ensures morale stays high and employees feel appreciated.  

Foster a Family Atmosphere

Often, working a role in hospitality means spending less time with your family during the holidays than you would like. So, managers who are able to bring some of that family atmosphere to the workplace are more likely to keep morale high during the stressful season. One way to do so is by introducing a holiday gift exchange, where team members select one another randomly and give a small gift. With something like this, capping the spending amount fairly low is a great way to remove the pressure from employees to spend above where they are comfortable. Even better, making participation optional or providing gifts for employees to use are great ideas that mean they don’t have to spend their own money.  

Another way to enhance that family atmosphere is by scheduling a staff celebration for the holidays. Even something as simple as a shared dinner can help both the team bond with each other and also feel included in the holiday gatherings. For those establishments where this type of gathering isn’t feasible during December, scheduling it in advance for sometime in January is a great alternative. This both gives the team something to look forward to as well as makes for more convenient scheduling when the business is less busy with holiday traffic.

Tailor Tokens of Appreciation

While not all organizations practice gift-giving during the holidays, many choose to give some token of appreciation for their employees’ hard work throughout the year. The thought definitely counts in this gesture, but tailoring the gifts given to the employees adds a level of personalization anyone will appreciate. Doing so doesn’t necessarily mean hand-selecting a different gift for each employee. But, having a general sense of what team members enjoy is a great idea. For example, if a team frequents a particular lunch spot, maybe gift cards to that establishment are an option.  

One gesture that goes a long way is personalization when it comes to holiday cards. Rather than printing the same general message of well wishes on employee holiday cards, take the time to handwrite them if possible. Doing this allows you to customize sentiments based on the recipient, a sign that you make efforts to get to know and appreciate them as individuals.

Be Mindful of Burnout

It’s no secret that a large percentage of hospitality employees lost their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic. While many have returned to work either with their former employers or new ones, the industry remains chronically understaffed. This is difficult to handle in normal circumstances, but during the holidays – lack of personnel is an even harder issue to navigate.

For the hospitality industry, business soars during the holiday season. Employers bring on seasonal staff when possible, but often the season means that team members must work more than full-time to accommodate the increased workload. For those exceeding 40 hours, there are legal requirements to compensate them appropriately. However, employers and managers also need to be aware of signs of burnout in their teams. Noticing and addressing these early means they don’t have a chance to escalate. Ignored instances of employee burnout often lead to performance issues and employee turnover.

Burnout looks different for everyone, but there are a few clear signs. Changes in performance and personality are two of the most common. If you’ve got team members who typically excel and have sunny demeanors but are now struggling – they may have taken on more hours than they can handle. Additionally, those who’ve become frequently ill or show signs of physical exhaustion are likely burnt out.  

So, how does a manager mitigate burnout during a time when reducing hours is not feasible? Providing nourishing meals at no cost to employees means they are able to refuel during their shift without having to take time before work to prepare food. Also, filling in during breaks so that employees don’t fall behind in their workload is a great idea. Good managers are willing and capable of stepping into any role within the establishment, making it easier for team members to take the breaks they deserve.

Tips for Those Entering the Industry During the Holidays

Those securing either a new seasonal or permanent position in hospitality during the holiday season likely anticipate a heavy workload and long hours. However, fully learning about an opportunity before accepting an offer is the best way to ensure you don’t take on too much. When browsing opportunities in the industry, look for requirements when it comes to weekly hours, required work on holidays, and expected shift times. If these details aren’t provided in the job description, don’t hesitate to ask during an interview. Knowing exactly what’s expected of you prior to starting a role better guarantees you choose an opportunity that suits your availability and desired workload.

Above all, navigating the industry during the holiday season requires a lot of work on behalf of employers and their employees. Clear, open lines of communication most often offer the support both parties need to successfully make it to January.