Here comes the summer slump!

Texas sang Here Comes the Summer Son, back in the 90s. But if research is to be believed, “here comes the summer slump” would be more apt!

A survey conducted last year by a payroll provider found that two-thirds of workers admitted to decreased productivity, with 30% saying they lost between 30 to 60 minutes every day in the summer.

Top reasons are mainly weather-related with feelings of sweat and tiredness in the heat as well as dehydration and headaches cited. It’s worth noting, though, that this year we have the men’s FIFA world cup. When it comes round, every four years, it can be a significant distraction in itself, especially in the game heavy early weeks.

So if we know the summer slump is coming, what can we do about it? Here are some top do and don’t tips from HR to keep your team engaged and the work getting done.

Do… Plan annual leave allocation carefully

The long school summer holidays, plus the prospect of better weather for people stay-cationing, means that if you do not proactively manage holiday allowance you could find yourself short staffed.

We’ve said it before and we will say it again, HR software (ask us for a demo) is brilliant for streamlining the admin and giving you a clear view of who is off and when. Just make sure you back it up with clear and fair company rules that keep the business well resourced.

Don’t… Waste dead time

Some businesses will see a natural slowdown over the summer months, but if you have a quieter period don’t let it go to waste. Sure, if staff take holiday at this time, that’s optimal. 

When they are in though, set them tasks around planning and development that they would not normally have time for. Whether it is upskilling themselves or doing some strategic work for the business it may be the perfect way to turn a productivity slump into a productivity spike.

Do… Make the most of good weather and vibes

While people complain about the heat and the sunshine, many would agree that it is preferable to the rain and cold. Relaxing any dress codes is sensible in hot weather, and occasional icy treats like drinks or ice cream are an excellent low-cost way to boost morale. 

Going further, you could encourage certain meetings to be done as walking meetings outside to keep the energy flowing and let people have their vitamin D. Getting outside at lunchtime is also better than being stuck eating a sandwich at a desk.

If you put on staff social events from time to time, a summer social will be something everyone can look forward to, and appreciate you more as an employer.

Don’t… Neglect the workplace environment

Whether it is via air conditioning, fans, open windows or something else, most workplaces will need some kind of temperature regulation in high summer. This can require fine balancing between the different needs of employees, and dress code (again) might be a useful lever to pull here.

Also consider the plight of hay fever and allergy sufferers. What will help them perform and feel their best – access to water, tissues and so on, and trying to keep them away from pollen and dust.

Summer SOS

Want to see a demo of our HR software? Or would you like help devising a new, compliant dress code that embraces summer flexibility? If you need assistance with anything raised in this article, please contact your local HR Dept office. We are here to keep you productive over the summer.