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The holiday season is almost upon us, and for most employers and management, that means navigating the delicate balance of spreading festive cheer while ensuring a smooth and compliant workplace environment.
From gift giving, decorating and of course, the annual office Christmas party, there’s so much fun to be had amongst employees at Christmas time – but also a lot that can go wrong.
Blue Tree HR Solutions is here to offer you HR business solutions – such as ad hoc HR and retained HR – that can help you guarantee a smooth sailing Christmas season without any hiccups!
HR business solutions - Gift giving
Many offices participate in gift exchanges during the holidays. Whether this is through friendly gifts between staff or through Secret Santa, it’s crucial to establish clear guidelines to avoid any discomfort or misunderstandings. Blue Tree’s HR business solutions can help draft and communicate gift-giving policies, ensuring a harmonious exchange of presents among all colleagues.
Here are some key points to consider to make sure your office gift-giving is one to remember:
If your office is participating in Secret Santa, make sure it is kept fun and considerate. To keep things inclusive and budget-friendly, set a reasonable spending limit that everybody in the office can afford – the focus is on thoughtfulness, not extravagance.
Make sure gifts are respectful; nothing sexual, blasphemous, or obscene that could cause offence or upset.
For a stress-free exchange, let employees decide if they want to participate. If they do, consider a random draw by having interested participants put their names in a hat. This adds an element of surprise without pressure.
Don’t feel pressured into an office gift exchange. Suggest donating to a local charity if this works better. It’s a thoughtful and environmentally friendly alternative, and staff can choose to participate or opt out without the worry of offending anyone in the office.
HR business solutions - Decorating
Nothing brings more holiday cheer than the entire office team coming together to decorate for Christmas!
Turning the workspace into a festive wonderland is a fantastic way to encourage teamwork, lift spirits, and create a warm atmosphere for your staff during the holiday season. However, it’s crucial to approach decoration with responsibility to avoid potential issues and legal complications.
As management, ensuring that Christmas decorations comply with office fire safety regulations and office safety protocols is your responsibility. Taking these precautions not only keeps your employees safe but also protects your company from costly lawsuits.
Our HR business solutions can guide you in creating a festive atmosphere while maintaining a safe and compliant workspace for all. Get in touch to find out more about our HR support for small businesses!
HR business solutions - Flexible working and holiday
While Christmas at the office is enjoyed by many, it’s important to remember that the holiday season comes with personal commitments too. Offering flexible schedules or remote work options can help employees balance their professional and personal lives and enjoy the Christmas period more. With the best HR support for small businesses provided by Blue Tree HR Solutions, implementing these changes is a breeze!
Our team can assist in introducing flexible policies that meet both employee needs and business objectives – so everybody can enjoy the holiday season, at work and home.
It’s also a good idea to encourage employees to plan their holiday time off well in advance to avoid last-minute disruptions. Our HR business solutions can help streamline the process of requesting and approving time off with the best HR software on the market – Breathe HR!
With Breathe HR, management can keep track of staff holidays with ease, ensuring that operations continue smoothly during the festive season – and that’s not all!
Breathe HR is your one-stop shop for all things HR. To find out exactly how powerful it is, check out our recent blog “What is Breathe HR?”
HR business solutions - The Christmas party
The yearly work Christmas party is an opportunity for employees to gather, unwind, and have a good time. However, it can also present challenges for management. Before the festive event, clear communication from management about expectations for employee behaviour at the Christmas party is crucial.
Thankfully, Blue Tree HR Solutions is here with the best HR support for small businesses to help you make sure your office work is a successful one!
Reminders
Your staff are attending a work event – and they should still be expected to act within your company guidelines. Our team suggests implementing simple precautions, such as making all staff aware of this expectation before the event.
It’s also crucial to be aware that employers can be held liable for actions that occur at out-of-hours work events. Drunken promises made during the party can potentially be legally binding, leading to complications and possible legal battles. To avoid this, we advise managers to remind staff and colleagues to refrain from professional discussions that should be done during work hours. The time should be used to party!
Policies
What happens at the party doesn’t necessarily stay at the party. We suggest reminding your team of your company’s social media policy and its implications before the festivities kick off.
In today’s digital age, moments from your celebration can easily become a viral sensation – potentially damaging the company’s reputation. However, with the right social media policy in place, the likelihood of online content damaging the company can be significantly reduced – and who better to help you than Blue Tree HR Solutions?
Party!
Finally, don’t forget to encourage your employees to have a great time! After a year of hard work, it’s their moment to relax and have some fun. With effective management setting the tone, staff can revel in a night of celebration without any concerns. Blue Tree HR Solutions is here to ensure that your company orchestrates a memorable, positive, and professional Christmas party with our ad hoc HR and retained HR solutions!
For more personalised HR support for small businesses, don’t hesitate to reach out to our dedicated team.
Why choose Blue Tree HR Solutions for HR business solutions?
Blue Tree HR Solutions is the go-to support for SMEs facing HR challenges. Whether you need ad hoc HR, retained HR, or general HR support, our team provides expert and personalised assistance tailored to your business size and needs.
We’re not just for Christmas – we’re for life. Whatever the season, whatever the issue, the Blue Tree team is on hand to offer support and advice for your company.
Have a merry office Christmas!
The Christmas season is a time for joy and celebration, but it’s essential to approach it with strategic planning from management to make sure everybody can enjoy the holiday.
Blue Tree HR Solutions, offering the best HR support for small businesses, is here to provide ad hoc HR, retained HR, and HR business solutions to ensure a festive yet compliant workplace.
With Blue Tree by your side, management or employers can guarantee staff can enjoy the Christmas season to the fullest. Get in touch to find out more about our HR support for small businesses, or check out our ad hoc HR or retained HR on our website.
For more information on A manager’s guide to a fun Christmas at the office talk to Blue Tree HR Solutions