3 Differences Between Inventory
Management and Warehouse Management

December is challenging for organizations—not to achieve peak productivity levels but to maintain the least status quo in productivity. The reason is the flurry of activities that are taking place this month. People at various hierarchies brace for time to complete their year-end obligations. Mid-level managers try to sit with their team for reviews, CFOs get busy putting together the final numbers for year-end reporting, and the HR team details their plan for holiday festivities. Amidst all these, organizations have to battle low turnout in their workplace with the holiday season in the backdrop. Nevertheless, the productivity levels spiral down like never before.

beat this, four factors play a crucial role in boosting employee morale and productivity during the holiday season.

Implement flexible & alternate work schedules

Breaking the nine to five routine reduces work fatigue and goes a long way in motivating your employees during the holiday season. Think of this—ask your employees to choose their work, giving them the freedom to fulfill weekly working hours at their convenience— and you'll be impressed by the return on such an initiative. This arrangement will enable employees to attend holiday events, pursue their leisure activities and focus on work. An environment that lets employees create their work schedule increases workplace satisfaction and productivity.

Dole out non-financial incentives

Nobody dislikes recognition. The holiday season is the best time for managers to appreciate their employees as they settle in to unwind. Against this backdrop, a financial incentive would be the ideal choice, but since it's the year-end, most companies operate on a leaner budget. Therefore, recognizing your employees' efforts through non-financial means, viz. by gifting them a holiday package, granting them additional days off, etc., or even any small gestures of appreciation, make employees happier and give in their best efforts.

Plan holiday celebrations in the office

Events like a Christmas party or a team get-together give your employees a chance to unwind by bonding with teammates and building on relationships. If you want employees onboard across these events, make them part of the team that plans the event so that they have their say in what kind of event they want and how they want to do it. A time away from the office is a perfect booster for refocus and increased productivity. The advantage of throwing office parties is that when employees bond with each other, there's an uptick in collaborative capacity.

Outsource critical work

Managers have to walk a tightrope during the holiday season. Since many employees would have taken time offs, handling tasks becomes complicated. Therefore, it is recommended to outsource critical projects to countries with no pre-holiday commitments. Through this, you can overcome scheduling conflicts and be assured that project delivery will happen as planned. In the meantime, your employees will have fewer in-office distractions and a sense of confidence that they need not work overtime to get work done.