Managing Employee Time Off During the Holiday Season

Corporate Business Solutions is a leading business consulting firm that works with businesses that have a minimum of 10 employees and $1 million in revenue. We offer the critical information that is often necessary for growth in the small and medium – size business marketplace.

Business owners often struggle with the influx in requested employee vacation time during the holiday season.  In fact, at no other time of the year do companies have to field multiple requests for time off. If handled poorly, this could hurt the business at an otherwise busy time of year – not to mention it can hinder your culture and brand.

To prevent potential problems you may have this year, we have general tips to help manage employee holiday time off:

1. Be organized - Many industrial businesses have their holiday schedule planned well in advance, and there’s no reason why a small business can’t do the same.  Send workplace emails and hold a brief discussion early in the year to help avoid any last minute challenges. 
2. Keep seasonal workers– When managing a business that is busier during the holiday season, or you realize many staff members will be gone during one specific time, a helpful option is to keep seasonal workers that you can utilize when you need extra help. It’s also a good idea to keep in contact with these part-timers through the year so you’ll know their availability in advance. 
3. Offer holiday pay - Money may be the main objective for many employees, even if it means they won’t be with their family during the holidays. Therefore, offering a holiday pay differential can keep your business staffed.  However, this practice should be part of the company’s structure and not something you offer just to entice an employee not to take off.  
4. Introduce a vacation blackout period - For some businesses, particularly retail, the holidays are the busiest time of year. This usually means the location needs a full staff, and often extra help. If your business falls into this category, a way to prevent employees from taking off is to have a blackout period where no one can take off.
5. Let employees work at home. These days pretty much everybody has a laptop, iPad or smartphone that enables them to work remotely. If your staff doesn’t have to be on site, letting them work at home during the holidays can be a productive way to get things done without having to bring in additional staff. 

To learn more about us and / or to schedule your appointment with the business experts at Corporate Business Solutions, call us today at 877-357-9366.