Festive advice for merry teams

The festive season is a time of joy, celebration, and reflection—but for team leaders and professionals in the NHS, pharmaceutical industry, and life sciences, it can also be a challenging period to balance competing priorities. Whether you're managing staff, navigating HR challenges, or leading a team, ensuring that you and your colleagues have a merry and productive festive season is as important as your Christmas shopping.

To help you strike that balance, we’ve put together some practical and thoughtful advice to ensure your workplace feels more like Santa’s workshop than Scrooge’s office this holiday season.

Make a break a real break

The festive period is one of the rare occasions when many organisations—and employees—can take a true break from work. For teams in the health sector, where the pressure rarely lets up, allowing your team to disconnect entirely for a few days can have a huge impact on their mental well-being.

• Get organised beforehand: Ensure all loose ends are tied up well before the holidays. Encourage your team to meet deadlines early to avoid last-minute scrambles.

• Set expectations: Make it clear to your team that they don’t need to log in or check emails during the break unless absolutely necessary. Lead by example—leaders need rest too.

• Schedule coverage: If your sector requires teams to remain operational (as it often does in healthcare), create well-structured and fair rotas to minimise stress and ensure everyone still has some time to celebrate.

Remember, taking a proper break not only boosts individual morale but also renews energy for January.

Email etiquette this holiday season

Even in industries that operate around the clock, how you use email can significantly impact team morale. For those who might need to work during the break, employing mindful email practices helps promote a culture of respect.

• Schedule your emails: If you find yourself drafting messages over the holiday period, use email scheduling tools like those in Outlook to delay delivery until your team returns to work.

• Set clear priorities: If something genuinely urgent arises, ensure your team understands the expectation but handle these scenarios empathetically. Provide support and consider compensating staff for the time they spend addressing emergencies.

• Set boundaries: Include friendly team-wide messages reminding everyone to enjoy their holidays, reinforcing the importance of unplugging.

Thoughtful communication can turn what might feel like an intrusion into a manageable situation.

Say thank you

Never underestimate the power of appreciation. During the festive season, acknowledging your team's hard work can make all the difference.

• A thoughtful holiday card or a small gesture of gratitude can go a long way.

• Verbal recognition at the end of a meeting or a team-wide email can make employees feel seen and valued.

• For healthcare and NHS teams that often work under immense pressure, ensure acknowledgement is specific and personal wherever possible.

By showing that their work matters, you allow individuals to truly relax during the holidays instead of worrying about the year behind—or ahead.

Bring cheer to NHS heroes

While many have the chance to take a break, countless healthcare professionals keep working throughout the festive season, often in hospital wards or emergency situations. If you work in healthcare or have the chance to visit a care setting, here are a few ways to spread some holiday cheer to these modern-day heroes.

• A simple thank you: Never underestimate how much a genuine thank-you can brighten someone’s day.

• Tokens of appreciation: If policies allow, consider small gifts or even handwritten notes for those working during the holidays.

• Community efforts: Advocate for initiatives like holiday meals or decorations in shared spaces to keep spirits high in the workplace.

These small acts of kindness go a long way in helping those who can’t take a break feel appreciated and included in the festive spirit.

Plan ahead for a smooth return

While holiday breaks can be rejuvenating, getting back to work in January can feel jarring without preparation. Here's how you can make the transition back to work smooth and productive.

• Avoid first-day chaos: Refrain from scheduling critical meetings on the very first day back. Allow everyone time to catch up and find their rhythm.

• Be considerate: Recognise that some team members might need a little extra time to reorient themselves after extended time off.

• Communicate effectively: Ensure everyone is on the same page regarding upcoming projects and deadlines.

Kindness and thoughtfulness about schedules will help kickstart the year on a positive and efficient note.

Plan now to start January strong

Don’t wait until January to plan your team's objectives and priorities for the new year. Getting everything in place before your holiday break ensures you and your colleagues hit the ground running upon return.

• Set clear objectives: Outline key goals and action points while minds are still engaged and focused.

• Share the plan: Ensure team members know their role in driving upcoming projects forward.

• Keep it practical: Break down larger goals into actionable tasks, so your team has a realistic roadmap to follow.

By doing the groundwork in December, you can make January significantly more productive—and stress-free—for everyone involved.

Here's to a merry and bright festive season!

The festive season isn’t just a time for celebration—it’s an opportunity to reflect, reset, and create an environment where your team feels valued and empowered. From taking real breaks to planning for January's success, these steps will ensure everyone can enjoy the holidays while setting the stage for a productive new year.

Best wishes for a happy and festive season!

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This post was originally published in December 2024.