Embracing Winter Wellness and Flexibility in the Workplace this February
It is fair to say we get to this stage in February, and most of us are ready to say goodbye to winter and hello to spring. As the winter chill continues to linger, it is a good time for employers to check in on employee wellbeing and adaptability in the workplace. Our HR team are here to help, and, in this blog, we will provide some winter wellness tips and flexible work ideas to help you keep your team motivated and engaged during the colder months.
Employee Winter Wellness Tips:
Winter can bring its own set of challenges, from seasonal blues to increased sickness rates. Below are a few tips for you to consider for your team’s wellbeing:
- Check in with colleagues: Just catching up with a colleague and checking in on how they are can go a long way to show support and encourages open conversations.
- Encourage Regular Breaks: Remind employees to take their breaks to combat feelings of fatigue and burnout.
- Promote Physical Activity: Suggest indoor exercises or stretches to keep employees active and energised, even when the weather discourages outdoor activities.
- Provide Mental Health Resources: Share information on mental health initiatives and support services available to employees, emphasising the importance of seeking help when needed.
- Foster a Positive Work Environment: Create a supportive and inclusive workplace culture where employees feel valued and appreciated, boosting morale during the winter months. Consider a team building or social event to bring people together.
Flexible Work Arrangements:
There are some key employment law changes due to be implemented in April amongst these changes are the new flexible working regulations, which will enable employees the right to request flexible work arrangements from day one of employment. Post-pandemic there has been an increase in flexible working and 83% of organisations now have hybrid working in place, whilst only 45% have a formal policy.
Flexibility can assist with maintaining productivity and employee satisfaction and there are a various flexible work arrangements that can be considered:
- Remote or Hybrid Work Options: Offers employees the flexibility to work from home when weather conditions make commuting challenging, ensuring work continuity and employee safety.
- Flexible Hours: Allow employees to adjust their working hours to better suit their personal schedules around core business hours, promoting work-life balance and reducing stress levels.
- Compressed Workweeks: Explore the possibility of compressed workweeks, where employees work longer hours on fewer days, providing extended weekends to recharge.
- Job Sharing: Encourage job sharing arrangements where two part-time employees split responsibilities, promoting collaboration and flexibility within the team.
These are just a few winter wellness tips and flexible work arrangements options that can help you create a supportive and adaptable workplace environment that prioritises employee wellbeing and productivity.
Businesses need to get to know the flexibility arrangements that the government will introduce in April amongst the other changes. We will be exploring this and other themes in our upcoming Webinar, Helping SMEs Navigate HR. Join our HR Team on the 28th of March at 10:00 am online, as they take you through all the upcoming employment law changes, including what they mean for your company and how our HR team and technology can support you.
HR Services
If you want more details on the HR services, we provide and how we can support your business please do not hesitate to get in touch. We also offer a FREE HR Health Check for your business. Complete the online form and we will send you a report highlighting any employment or HR areas of potential risks.
