For many working people, the holidays are anything but relaxing. The months of November and December often feel like a mad rush to complete the same amount of work in a much shorter timeframe, not to mention the addition of family commitments, travel plans and money concerns.

It is important to discover the right equilibrium between productivity and relaxation within your organization during the holidays. As a manager, it’s up to you to set the right example for the season; follow these tips to find the ideal work-life balance for your workplace and talent development exercises.

1. Plan ahead.

Work with your team to schedule which days the office will be closed and which days people are taking off for vacation. If you have clients or suppliers you work closely with, find out their holiday schedules as well. Write all of the dates on the master office wall calendar or online calendar, and anticipate any conflicts in advance.

For example, if the office manager is going to be out of town for two weeks, you may need to book a replacement through a temporary staffing agency. If you know you want to take some vacation days at the end of December, you may need to delegate some of your responsibilities in preparation for your absence. By planning ahead, you will minimize last-minute stressful scheduling situations.

2. Recognize the importance of time off.  

Everyone needs some vacation for rest and relaxation, and spending quality time with family and friends is a priority for many people during the holidays. Respect others’ work-life balance, and limit work emails and phone calls to absolute emergencies. On that note, try to leave work at work and enjoy your own vacation time as well. Recognize that most of the business world is also celebrating with family, and most tasks can wait until after the holiday.

3. Get into the spirit.

Find ways to show your appreciation for the hard work your team has done in the last year. This may be in the form of the annual holiday cocktail party, a staff luncheon, an extra day off or a low-cost “Secret Santa” gift exchange. You have all earned some time to socialize, relax and rest up for the upcoming year.

How do you find your work-life balance during the holidays?

Learn more about EDSI’s team building resources  that can benefit your organization.