Has the summer slump hit your workplace? Students are out of school, the weather is warming up and the office motivation just might be slowing down. Productivity during the summer tends to dip, and over the years, surveys have shown that workplace distractions soar by 45% in the summer months as compared to the rest of the year. Also, warmer temperatures are proven to impact productivity and labor supply, according to research. And yet, scientific studies show that summer months have a positive impact on one’s overall mood. So, how do organizations find a balance between the warm weather melting away worries and productivity? There are a few key elements employers can implement during the summer to match the natural flow of employee productivity while supporting successful business outcomes.
Adopt Summer Hours
As workers naturally feel a pull to less productivity when the sun is shining and the summer activities are calling, it’s advantageous for employers to work with this mindset rather than fight against it. Employee burnout is real, and 77% of employees say they have experienced burnout at their current job. Allow the summer months to be a time of recharging so workers can regain a work-life balance that may have been missing throughout the first half of the year.
Many businesses are adopting ‘Summer Fridays’ from Memorial Day to Labor Day, allowing teams to enjoy a sunny day and spend more time with family while school-aged children are on break. Additionally, granting employees more flexibility can increase job satisfaction, as 95% of people want flexible work hours.
Encourage Vacation Time
Show that you value and care about your employees by encouraging them to use their paid time off (PTO), especially in the summer months. Indeed, burnout is wreaking havoc on organizations, and approximately 70% of professionals feel their employers are not doing enough to prevent or alleviate burnout within their workplace. Additionally, 21% of respondents say their organization does not offer any initiatives to alleviate burnout. To sustain productivity, maintain a high level of well-being and increase mindfulness, employees must take time off to recharge. Promote your vacation request procedure to ensure your team can plan ahead without business objectives falling to the wayside.
Organize Workplace Gatherings
Remote and hybrid work environments may have altered the way we gather with our colleagues, but summer is not time to slack on team bonding initiatives. In fact, research shows that cultivating workplace friendships enhances a team’s overall performance, because friendly relationships improve peoples’ moods, making it easier to work through common workplace challenges. Hosting non-mandatory team outings and social events encourages friendships, which leads to higher job satisfaction.
As your organization welcomes summertime, it’s important to implement new policies to show your employees they are valued both professionally and personally. The warmer months may bring a lull in productivity, but with a few strategic summer initiatives in place, your business can fully embrace the sunny time of year while never missing a business objective. At Work Shield, we support organizations that are on a mission to create safer, and all around better, workplaces for all employees.
