Supporting staff who are struggling at Christmas
Whilst Christmas can be the most wonderful time of the year, it’s important that employers recognise that it can also bring challenges for some team members for a variety of reasons. Over the 2022 festive period, Samaritans responded to over 250,000 calls for help in the UK. How can employers ensure a balance between the joy and spirit of celebrating the calendar year end, alongside those team members who may be finding the festive period trickier?
As a useful starting point, think about the reasons why people may find Christmas time a challenging time. These could include:
- Money worries – The cost of living crisis continues to impact employees, and ongoing cost increases can be particularly felt around Christmas time.
- Grief – the holiday seasons often act as particular points of remembrance for lost loved ones, especially if this year may be the first Christmas period they are no longer with us.
- Family pressures – for some, spending time with families can cause pressure around expectations.
- Social Media – this can impact self-esteem, with people comparing themselves to others and having unrealistic expectations of what the festive period should be.
- Loneliness – people can feel alone or left out because everyone else seems happy and spending Christmas in big groups, when they are not.
- Feeling overlooked – people may not celebrate Christmas as they celebrate alternative religious festivals instead, which do not get the same attention.
What can you do as managers?
Ideally as managers you know your team members well, and will have an awareness of how Christmas time may impact them. Additional steps to think about include:
- Being open and approachable – by creating an atmosphere where team members feel they can speak up and be honest about their feelings, this can help you talk through how they may need any additional support. Let them know it is okay not to feel okay.
- Ensure any Christmas celebrations are inclusive – think about how work-related Christmas activities can be optional, without any pressure. If individuals do not want to attend a Christmas party, their wishes should be respected and not questioned about.
- Consider costs – if staff need to contribute financially to Christmas celebrations, such as meals or Secret Santas, think about the costs and how these can be minimised.
- Signpost to professional support – If you feel that staff need additional support, signpost them to resources available, such as through any EAP provider, or organisations such as MIND, the Samaritans and Anxiety UK.
- Consider leave and flexibility around time off – if you are aware that individuals do not celebrate Christmas but celebrate another religious festival, think about how you can manage leave to ensure they can have time off that is important to them. Individuals who have recently lost someone, may want additional compassionate leave as part of the grieving process near Christmas time.
