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July Edition

During the summer months, employees across the country may be thinking less about spreadsheets and emails – and more about vacations and leisure time.

For business leaders and managers, keeping employees engaged in the summertime brings unique challenges. Studies show workplace productivity drops 20 percent between June and August, while office attendance falls by 19 percent.1

Even though Gallup2 reports historic highs of engaged employees involved in and committed to their work and workplace (34 percent), the dog days of summer can be a formidable foe when competing for employee attention.

Creative leaders can unleash a summer full of activities that appeal to the most disconnected employees. More and more are fostering a less hectic and casual vibe for employees and embracing a summer culture – with the goal of increasing employee engagement.3

And keep in mind the positive effects and benefits of a highly engaged workforce – lower attrition.

Flexible work schedules improve productivity

The key to maintaining employee engagement throughout the summer is offering workers flexible working hours – and allow them to work from home a few days a week.

Some firms also allow employees to work longer days during the week so everyone can have Fridays off. More flexibility can mean enabling workers to set their own hours in the summer, as long as deadlines are met.

According to a study by Opinion Research Corporation, 66 percent of employees who have flexible summer schedules feel more productive.1

Other summer engagement ideas

  • Encourage vacations with bonuses: Some employees are reluctant to use vacation time. Employers can help avoid burnout by offering a small financial bonus that can be applied toward travel or lodging to incentivize vacations.
  • Adopt summertime casual attire: Companies are also relaxing the dress policy for employees who don’t work directly with customers. It’s important to provide clear guidelines on what’s acceptable casual summer attire for the office.
  • Go outside, plan outdoor events: Fresh air and sunlight can boost employee happiness at work. Staff meetings can be held outdoors and one-on-one meetings can turn into outdoor walks. Businesses can plan department or company-wide picnics and organize softball or volleyball games.
  • Combine education and fun: The casual pace of summer makes it an ideal time to get away as a team for professional training and development. Companies can consider off-site events and outdoor activities to optimize employee engagement and learning.
  • Hand out free stuff: Bring out the “kid” in employees by having an ice cream truck parked outside and give treats to everyone on a sunny afternoon. Or set up an ice cream or frozen yogurt bar in the cafeteria or breakroom.

While it might seem impossible to avoid the summertime productivity slide and associated lower employee engagement, companies can take creative steps to keep employees engaged and productive. And these efforts are worth it for businesses over the long term. A happy workforce can result in less overall turnover. We’re always trying to think of creative solutions to improve employee experiences. Get in touch to hear what ideas we have for employee benefits.

F88782-28 7-2019   DOFU 7-2019
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