Last Updated on December 16, 2019 by G. T. HR

The Holiday HR Hustle is Here

It’s that time of year. The hustle and the bustle of holiday cheer abounds!

This cheerful time of year can be a major issue for any industry. There are two prevalent human resources issues related to the holidays: Time Off and Cultural Differences.

As an employer, both are relevant. The key to handling these situations is to be prepared. In this article, we hope to shed some light on these issues and help answer questions about holiday HR topics.

Time Off for Employees During the Holidays

Time-off issues will come up. Time-off requests this time of year will start coming in quickly. There will be requests for personal time off, family events, and unexpected sick days because cold and flu season is in full swing. There are always things we do not expect; however, there still is a business to run. HR policies and expectations should be set early in the onboarding phase of hiring and within the company’s handbook. Remind employees to plan in advance. That way, what does come as a surprise can be minimized.

While we know not every business has a complex tier of management, if you are part o a business that does, plan ahead. Having a holiday action plan within the management tier of the your company is really important. Communicate with your management and high-level staff to diffuse possible issues. In some instances, employees may be able to work together to compromise and offer solutions to management. This not only shows great leadership skills but can maintain morale for the department. Having a problem-solving mindset can truly set someone up for future growth and promotion as well, so it is a win-win.

Celebrate Our Differences

Celebrate diversity and holiday inclusiveness in the workplace. While you may be excited about the holidays, which may mean Thanksgiving and Christmas to you, don’t forget that many are celebrating a different season. Tens of millions of Americans don’t celebrate Christmas religiously, either as followers of non-Christian religions (Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus, and Jews—among others) or as individuals with no religious affiliation, possibly atheists or agnostics. Celebrating diversity and inclusiveness is about using the holiday celebration time with friends and family to build understanding and awareness of the traditions and beliefs of others.

Keeping the emphasis on these areas will allow everyone to feel like part of your work family and keep morale and trust at a high level. Be respectful of these differences by taking an interest in other people’s traditions and making them feel welcome. Don’t be afraid to ask people what holidays they celebrate! We are all different and we are all human and for that, we have many things to share, and should celebrate that as well.

Add a Dash of HR This Holiday

Prevent holiday HR stress with a strong HR team. In summary, use HR practices and handbook policies to make clear to employees what your expectations are. Be sure to look at the holiday time off and pay policies toward the end of the summer/early fall to be sure you know what your business practices are, including how holiday pay can differ. It’s also not a bad idea to know how other businesses (including your competitors) are handling this important area.

For more information on HR topics or Handbook Information contact Chris Cooley at 855-538-6947 Ext. 108 or email ccooley@myhrconcierge.com. To order a Handbook Review or complete Handbook Order, contact ccooley@myhrconcierge or visit myhrconcierge.com and click the “order” button at the top of the website.