Tips on how to organise the holiday schedule better
How can we organise the office holiday schedule, while avoiding the creation of tension and resentment among the staff? Here are 5 tips aimed at company owners and managers: useful suggestions to be carefully followed so as to keep everyone happy.
- Define and explain company policy clearly
In order to organise the holidays as well as possible, it is advisable to define and explain company policy to the employees as soon as possible, thereby avoiding any misunderstanding. The whole team must know in exactly which period they can take their holidays and how to submit a request for leave. This will allow everyone to get organised without causing problems for other colleagues.
- Encourage holiday planning
Organising holidays intelligently also means encouraging planning, so as to discourage un-expected requests or those which may be detrimental to the company. If the employees know that they must give advance notice of when they wish to go on holiday, the entire staff can organise themselves without leaving any role uncovered.
- Explain the reasons why holiday requests are denied
Anyone wishing to avoid having to deal with an unhappy and confrontational staff, must justify every denial of holiday requests and provide clear reasons why the request was not granted. If everyone goes on holiday at the same time, clients will not be able to receive the assistance they require, so it is essential that staff and consultants take turns so as to avoid potential difficulties for the company.
- Be firm but helpful
If a team member requests holidays at a time which would not suit the company, still do everything possible to accommodate his request, especially if it relates to special commitments such as a trip abroad for an important event. Even if it is not possible to grant him his holiday request, the employee will still be satisfied, because he will appreciate the good will and helpfulness shown to him by his managers.
- Focus on team building
When discussing holiday scheduling, it is important to focus as much as possible on team building: organising staff holidays together is the most efficient method of avoiding controversy, problems and confrontation. Furthermore, by speaking directly to staff members and aiming to fulfil every requirement, team relations will improve and its unity will be strengthened.
Translated by Joanne Beckwith
