The holiday season is a joyful time—yet it’s also one of the most demanding. Your employees are juggling work, family obligations, seasonal events, year-end deadlines, and the pressure to “make it all happen.” That strain doesn’t stay outside the office door. Without the right support, holiday burnout can quietly take a toll on productivity, morale, and retention.
At Westphal Staffing, we work closely with HR leaders and business owners who want to keep their teams focused, energized, and supported during the months when stress often peaks. Here’s how you can help your staff breathe, recharge, and finish the year strong.
Recognize the Signs of Holiday Burnout
Burnout rarely appears all at once—it builds. Leaders who can spot early indicators are better equipped to intervene before performance dips or team tension rises. Watch for patterns such as increased irritability, mistakes, missed deadlines, absenteeism, presenteeism, withdrawal from coworkers, or a noticeable decline in creativity and problem-solving.
Early detection keeps the team running smoothly and prevents small issues from becoming bigger ones.
Create Space for Employees to Breathe
This time of year is not the moment to overload your workforce. Look for ways to simplify:
- Trim non-urgent tasks and move non-essential projects into January.
- Revisit deadlines to ensure teams aren’t facing unnecessary bottlenecks.
- Encourage the use of PTO—without guilt.
- Consider flexible hours or remote work options to reduce end-of-year chaos.
A little breathing room can dramatically improve focus and morale.
Creative Ways to Boost Morale and Reduce Stress
Holiday support doesn’t need to be elaborate or expensive. Small gestures can go a long way in creating a positive atmosphere:
- A half-day for shopping or personal errands
- Casual Fridays throughout December
- Low-lift celebrations like a hot cocoa bar, cookie day, or catered breakfast
- A stress-free mini contest—best desk décor, holiday trivia, etc.
- A shared playlist or gratitude wall
- A quick visit from a massage therapist, wellness coach, or chair-yoga instructor
These simple efforts build connection and lighten the emotional load employees often carry this season.
Communicate Clearly and Set Expectations
Clarity reduces anxiety. Share holiday schedules, meeting-free days, and any adjusted deadlines as early as possible. Encourage managers to check in one-on-one with their team members, and make it known that asking for help—or pushing back on unrealistic expectations—is not only acceptable but encouraged.
Transparency ensures everyone stays aligned and confident as the pace picks up. Also, encouraging transparency is a great way to build an open culture.
Support Mental Health and Work-Life Balance
The holidays can be overwhelming on multiple fronts. Promote any available mental health benefits or EAP resources, and share tools for stress management, budgeting, or family support. Reinforce healthy boundaries—like stepping away from email after hours unless something truly urgent arises.
Most importantly, leaders should model the behavior they want to see. When managers set balanced expectations, employees feel empowered to do the same.
Prepare for Staffing Gaps
Holiday PTO requests and seasonal absences are inevitable. Planning ahead helps prevent burnout among the employees who remain on the schedule. Cross-training now equips your team to stay flexible when things get busy. And when workloads spike, temporary or seasonal staff can help maintain operations without overwhelming full-time employees.
That’s where a staffing partner, like Westphal Staffing, becomes invaluable.
Keeping the Team Energized Into the New Year
Preventing burnout isn’t just a seasonal perk—it’s a long-term retention strategy. Even implementing one new idea this year can make a meaningful difference in your culture and your employees’ wellbeing.
If you’re anticipating staffing gaps or want to reduce overload during the holiday rush, Westphal Staffing is here to help. Our team can provide skilled temporary support, streamline your hiring process, and ensure your organization ends the year strong—and starts the next one even stronger. Let’s talk. 715-845-5569