How to keep employees focused through the holidays

(MoneyWatch) Between travel schedules, family obligations and financial concerns, the holidays are prime-time for employee distractions. Unengaged employees can make your team inefficient and cost your company money. Recently, I spoke to Allan Steinmetz, CEO and founder of Inward Strategic Consulting, who has worked with companies like Walmart and HP. Here's how he suggests you keep your staff engaged and focused on the task at hand through the end of the year (or at least until their vacations start).

Gift them with a temporary flexible schedule.

If people are worried about making afternoon flights or being home for gift deliveries, their minds won't be on their work. Flexible schedule can allow them to do both their personal and work tasks with more ease. If you're feeling generous, Steinmetz suggests offering once a week half-days for gift shopping.

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Plan some corporate holiday cheer.

Big bashes are great, but if finances don't permit that, don't play the part of the Grinch. "Organize a company pot luck meal or Secret Santa events," suggests Steinmetz. These cost your company next to nothing, but bringing together the whole crew will be priceless and build engagement through the new year.

Give back to others.

Nothing feels better than giving back to those less fortunate, except maybe doing that as a team. Steinmetz suggests organizing a team outing to volunteer at a local soup kitchen or shelter. If your corporate schedule doesn't allow a day off, a coat or can drive doesn't take away from the work day, but can have a similar effect.

Give them food.

"If financially possible, providing turkeys to people is always a nice idea," says Steinmetz. If that seems too cumbersome (for instance, if most of your employees take public transportation), offer discounts at the cafeteria as a thank you. For those taking one for the team and working over the holidays, providing a bagel or donut spread for breakfast will make them feel like their sacrifice is valued.

Help them wrap their gifts.

Getting all those gifts wrapped is a common source of concern and distraction around the holidays, particularly for working parents. "To alleviate this stress, set up free gift wrapping stations or even offer free gift wrapping services for your employees," says Steinmetz.

Photo courtesy of Flickr user Hourann Bosci

[Mrs. E]

A raise would be nice instead of all of the above after 8 years of frozen wages for rank and file workers. Potlucks are fine, but when you aren't able to buy food for yourself on a regular basis it makes those of us struggling feel embarrassed. Ditto with gift exchanges. I like gift cards for groceries instead of a turkey (I am a vegetarian), but they should be universal not single store cards. Why not an AmEx gift card we can spend how we like?
Finally, when the president wants to send a "personal" end of the year message; stop him. The shareholders had a "great year" and a thank you note isn't going to make us feel better when we still aren't.

[jgnv]

I think allowing employees, especially those with young or school age children the opportunity to work a flexible schedule is something that, if possible, should be incorporated whenever an employer can possibly do so. It is so difficult for parents to adhere to childcare and school guidelines while still working a fulltime job and they would be eternally grateful to their employer if allowed to adjust normal work schedule when necessary.

Potlucks are fun and allow some employees the opportunity to "showcase" their culinary skills, but it's also important to realize that for many who have a family to feed, it can be a financial strain to make a large dish for the entire office. I think it might be a better idea to have the boss splurge for takeout and have everyone sit down and eat lunch together, providing business is not disrupted.