Whether your employees believe it's "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year," or they're lamenting a "Blue Christmas," employers should remember some employee issues during this holiday season. Here are some tips:
- Not everyone celebrates Christmas ("I Have a Little Dreidel"). As American companies continue to embrace diversity, employees may need to be reminded that not everyone celebrates the same holidays.
- Beware of flammable holiday décor ("Deck the Halls"). Employers owe a duty to provide a safe environment for employees and must not subject them to unreasonable risk. Make sure that holiday decorations do not violate any local laws (think fire code). Consider possible employee allergy issues before setting up a live Christmas tree.
- Your employee may want a part-time Santa gig ("Here Comes Santa Claus"). Some employees seek additional employment during the holiday season to handle the extra expenses. If you have a moonlighting policy, follow it carefully and consistently.
- Make time for holiday shopping ("Silver Bells"). It may be cost-effective and morale boosting to set aside some out of office time for employees to holiday shop. If you do, remember to treat all similarly-situated employees the same and note that any exception to the acceptable use policy for technology (i.e. – online shopping) should be in writing, given to all employees, and consistently enforced.
- 'Tis the season to sneeze ("Let It Snow"). Employee illnesses can increase with weather fluctuations, wintery mixes, more time indoors, and holiday stress. Reminding employees of leave policies can combat germ spreading and paycheck surprises when they exceed their accrued paid leave.
- Crime rises in December ("The Grinch Theme"). Remind employees to be extra vigilant about unfamiliar faces in or around the office premises, to use any available security services, to stay alert and off the phone while walking to their cars, and to secure their purses and wallets in the office.
- Holiday parties can be fun, with the right precautions ("Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"). Do what you can to keep things fun, but professional. If serving alcohol, give limited drink tickets (and advise they are not transferable) or perhaps offer a specialty cocktail that is more fun than intoxicating. Some employers offer door prize drawings for which only designated drivers are eligible. If you are going to have music, give the DJ or band a suggested play list of appropriate, fun songs.
- On top of everything else, it may be time to make your benefit elections ("Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" and should have had health insurance). Give employees sufficient time and opportunity to learn about any changes (i.e. to premiums or coverages). Employees may need time to consult with their accountants and/or spouses. Give the information as early as it is available and clarify the deadline.
- Be mindful of policies on gifts (what else – "The Twelve Days of Christmas"). You may want to thank your special clients with a token of appreciation. However, you will need to confirm whether they have any prohibitions on accepting gifts, especially if the client is a governmental entity. You can often find this information in company policies or through the entity's Human Resources Department.
- Remind employees of vacation policies ("I'll Be Home for Christmas"). Many employers do not allow employees to head home for the holidays en masse, or discourage taking leave the day before or after a holiday. Remind your employees of such policies or preferences so you can set them up to successfully follow them.
- Working on a holiday does not necessarily mean more pay ("Do They Know It's Christmas?"). Employers do not have to pay employees more just because they are working on a holiday, though many choose to do so. Legally, an employer must only pay non-exempt employees for work performed in excess of 40 hours in a week.
- Encourage resolutions for a happy and productive new year ("We Wish you a Merry Christmas"). Both employees and employers can be encouraged to make professional goals in the form of resolutions. These should be written down, with dates calendared throughout the new year for a status check on the progress of these goals.
For holiday happiness in the workplace, an ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure. Many difficult situations can be avoided with the proper attention and planning. Now is the time to review policies, to remind employees of the policies, and to follow them fairly and consistently. During this holiday season, what we most hope for your business and your life is that you bring "Joy to the World." Happy Holidays. Feliz Navidad. Fröhliche Weihnachten Joyeuses Fêtes! Felices Fiestas! Trevlig Helg! Boas Festas! Mutlu Bayramlar! Sarbatori Fericite! JieRi Yu Kuai! Bones Festes! Tanoshii kurisumasu wo! Buone Feste! Ii holide eximnandi! Beannachtaí na Féile! Vesele Praznike! Selamat Hari Raya! Sretni praznici!
Here are some holidays to keep in mind:
12/8 - Bodhi Day/Rohatsu (Buddhist)
12/8 - Feast of Immaculate Conception (Catholic)
12/9 - Hanukkah (through 16th) (Jewish)
12/23 - Gita Jayanti (Hindu)
12/25 - Christmas (Christian)
12/26 - Kwanzaa (through Jan 1st) (Interfaith)
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
