Share 3 programs you have (or would like to) initiated to better employee happiness this festive season. 

Employee happiness and wellbeing are very important at all times. The festive season which mostly can also be a holiday season can elevate the pressure on employees. Trying to understand each employee’s work commitments during the period and setting realistic goals for them along with the support, encouragement, and flexibility  they need would help them stay balanced during the season that’s often seen as something stressful.

1. Honour diversity and celebrate with your employees:

No matter where you’re employees are, honour all the festivals and celebrations so that no one feels left out. Spread awareness through talks, examples, photos, videos of how these festivals are celebrated and why they are significant. And don’t forget to celebrate them in your own small ways by bringing your employees together, even if it is just for a short while and engage them by playing games, giving them opportunities to do something together, playing and singing music, sharing festive snacks and food etc.

2. Recognise their efforts & show gratitude:

While you certainly don’t have to wait till the festive season to recognise your employees’ work, this is certainly a good time to reflect on their work in the past year or months and express gratitude for all that they have done and will continue to do. This will help employees understand their strengths better and would come back to work post the festive season much more confident and inspired.

3. Demonstrate empathy:

Not just during the festive times, but at all times, empathy is key! Your employees have their own personal lives outside of work and help them in whatever way that would help them perform better at home and work - flexibility, mentorship, access to resources, time offs, holiday bonus, etc. 

Can’t wait to hear it from the others as well! 

Tagging @manns @keefe.andrews @Denise.S.P @Jovita @Bharadwaj @Anusha @vishnu.selvaraj @zachary.king @Bex @raymondcanilao @Sophie Murgatroyd to take part in this challenge! 

#12DaysOfRefreshCommunity

Hi  mine would be similar

Empathy for everyone - As it has been said this is not just about respecting everyones views and having everyone feel that they are part of the team and socail acivities at Christmas.  We also need to think about those people that may be having a hard time, for whatever personal reason they may have.  If someone is sitting away from everything and not participating, there could be a very valid reason.  So go over and see if they are just nervous and actually want to join in, and if not, let them be, no derogatory comments when you get back to the group etc. 

Right to work where they want - We have allowed our workforce to go back and work from the office, the office is Covid Friendly (ie social distancing, hand gel and wipes stationed around and we have removed equipment so that on banks of desks you do not have 2 people sitting beside each other.  Booking system for the desks that we have in use.  Following government guidelines, but also looking after our staff that could be “High Risk” and working from home all the time is not a safe option.

A little bit of give aka Common sense - This time of year can get difficult due to processes and steadfast collegues.  This is the time of year that you have to be a little flexible.  Like allowing “Standard” and “Emergency” changes work around the change freeze.  There is nothing worse than needing to get a change through the Change Enablement Board during a change freeze.  I don’t mean the ones where the person is trying to get a non essential change approved becuase they missed the deadline, but those that could have an impact on the services you provide, or the companies reputation. Common sense and a little bit of flexibiity goes a long way.

Thanks

Bex

Thank you for sharing @rashmi.nag @Bex

We love to see our members contributing their best practices that can help others. These are some great points that can be implemented by many 

Love it 

Love it, Bex! Flexibility and Common Sense can definitely go a long way! In fact we’re so similar at Freshworks too! 

Day 3: The Community Challenge | Collaborate, Share, and Learn | Let Your Writing Skills Shine

Welcome to Day 3 of the Community Challenge! Today's focus is on collaboration, sharing, and learning. It's time to put on your writing hat and showcase your skills.

The objective of today's challenge is to collaborate with fellow participants, share your knowledge and experiences, and learn from one another. Writing is a powerful tool for communication and expression, and together, we can create something extraordinary.

Here's how you can participate:

1. Start a Discussion: Begin a conversation by posting a topic or question related to writing. It can be about grammar, storytelling techniques, writing tips, or any other aspect of the craft. Encourage others to share their thoughts and experiences.

2. Share Your Work: If you're comfortable, share a piece of your writing—a poem, a short story, an excerpt from a novel, or any form of written expression. Receive feedback, constructive criticism, and suggestions from the community to help you grow as a writer.

3. Collaborate on a Story: Let's create a unique collaborative story together! Each participant can contribute a sentence or a paragraph to continue the narrative. Build upon what others have written and see where our collective creativity takes us.

4. Offer Feedback: Read the work of your fellow participants and provide thoughtful feedback. Share your impressions, highlight strengths, and offer suggestions for improvement. Remember to be respectful and supportive in your comments.

5. Learn from Others: Engage in discussions, ask questions, and take the opportunity to learn from experienced writers in the community. Don't hesitate to seek guidance or seek recommendations for useful writing resources.

Remember, this challenge is all about fostering a supportive and collaborative environment. Let's inspire and uplift each other as we embark on this writing journey together.

Happy writing, sharing, and learning! Let's make Day 3 of the Community Challenge a memorable one.