Why support employee health over Christmas?
Workplace wellness support at this time of year isn’t about policing people’s behaviour at the annual Christmas do. It’s about knowing how to equip employees with options, encouraging people to make healthier choices, reducing stress and building a culture where people feel able to prioritise their wellbeing.
Key wellbeing challenges employees face over the festive season
Whether your workplace closes for Christmas or your colleagues work shifts, the run-up to Christmas and the period between Christmas and New Year present a unique mix of wellbeing pressures across your organisation.
Disrupted routines
Colder weather, social plans, and school holidays can make it harder for your colleagues to maintain the fitness routines, sleep, and nutrition habits that come easier in summer months.
Increased stress
Many people will juggle end-of-year performance cycles, family commitments, and financial pressures at this time of year, whether they’re running a department or new to their first job.
More social events
Increased work and personal events often lead to the overconsumption of alcohol and sugar, coupled with late nights, resulting in heightened stress precisely when optimal focus and productivity are required.
Reduced movement
Shorter days, bad weather, and packed diaries often mean less exercise even for the committed, which is a major contributor to fatigue and low mood.
Mental health strains
Christmas can be isolating or emotionally difficult, especially for employees living alone or managing grief. And many may not choose to open up about this at work.
Supporting employees through these challenges is both compassionate and commercially smart, so let’s look at the best ways for business owners and HR professionals to offer support in December – both in the workplace and when colleagues are at home.
5 ways employers can support wellbeing in the workplace
1. Offer flexible working
Even small amounts of flexibility – like compressed hours or remote working days – can significantly reduce stress and help employees balance everything that is competing for their time and energy.
2. Create healthier social options
Workplace festive celebrations have significantly evolved, with many employees now choosing not to consume alcohol. Just as accommodating diverse dietary requirements has become standard practice, it is now second nature to extend the same consideration to non-alcoholic options. Always offer appealing alternatives, and consider substituting alcohol-centric events with team breakfasts, lunch socials, drop-in coffee sessions, or active team-building events. Employees consistently value choice and appreciate inclusive environments free of pressure.
3. Encourage movement during the workday
Even the most committed gym-goer will struggle to stick to their year-round routine as Christmas approaches. The good news is that exercise doesn’t have to be an hour in the gym. Small bursts of activity significantly improve mood and productivity. Encourage colleagues with options like step challenges, lunchtime walking groups, stretch breaks, or prompts to take stairs or short movement breaks
4. Nutrition and Energy
Colleagues might feel overwhelmed about healthy eating at this time of year. Support them by giving choice, education, and better options. Make sure work kitchens and reception areas aren’t dominated by mince pies every day. Offer healthier options as well as the usual cakes and chocolates. Remind people to stay hydrated, and share simple resources around managing energy dips and healthy meal ideas.
5. Reinforce mental health support
This time of year can be a real struggle for many, even if they’ve previously enjoyed Christmas. Keep an eye out for the signs of low mood, and make sure team leaders model healthy boundaries, rest, and time off. Reinforce your workplace wellbeing strategies like EAPs, mental health first aiders, quiet spaces, and wellbeing check-ins.
3 ways to support employees outside the workplace
Good workplace wellness support doesn’t stop when people leave the building. Think about how you can support your colleagues when they’re off work at this time of year.
1. Offer flexible fitness benefits
Regular physical activity has so many benefits for physical and mental health, but traditional gym memberships don’t work during a season of travel and unpredictable schedules. Make sure your employee wellness benefit includes flexible access to a network of gyms, pools and other fitness facilities. Hussle’s nationwide network is designed to help your employees stay active wherever they are, including over Christmas.
2. Promote stress-management activities
It’s not your job to police how people spend their free time, but you can arm employees with education, resources, and maybe gentle team challenges for walking, yoga, swimming, meditation, breathwork, and time outdoors.
3. Normalise rest and recovery
Encourage employees to take their annual leave and unplug properly during breaks. Have conversations about use of Slack, emails and other comms so nobody feels beholden to their phone when they’re off. Your colleagues and their families will appreciate it.
Flexible workplace wellness all year round
Any workplace wellbeing strategy that works at Christmas will benefit your colleagues all year round if it’s flexible, inclusive, and adapts to changing routines. Employers can support healthier habits by offering:
- Flexible fitness memberships that suit shift patterns, travel, and hybrid working
- Access to gyms, pools, sports and leisure centres so people can choose how they exercise
- Digital fitness and mental health tools that people can access at home or on leave
- Workshops and resources around stress, sleep, nutrition, and life-phase wellbeing
The festive season doesn’t have to derail employee wellbeing. With thoughtful support and flexible benefits, employers can help everyone in the organisation stay healthy, energised, and resilient in December and beyond. If you’re ready to make flexible fitness part of your workplace wellbeing strategy, contact the Hussle team for a personalised quote.
