Beat the Workplace January Blues with these top tips from HR Dept

We all know it - January is the most depressing month of the year. Miserable weather, debt, fading Christmas memories, failed resolutions and a lack of motivation all contribute to the January blues. Don't let your business suffer too, here's our top tops to motivate your team to avoid the lacking motivation and productivity.

How can the righr HR encourage motivation? Here's some advice from the team at HR Dept.

1. A simple welcome back after a break would increase their motivation. Asking staff how they areand how their Christmas was makes for a good start to the new year.

2. The company newsletter can be a good way to communicate new year greetings and set positive aims and objectives for the year ahead.

3. If staff have worked anti-social or additional hours over the festive period, ensure that their contribution is recognised and taken note of their annual appraisal.

4. Ensure that returning employees are given a forum with which to discuss the holidays and year ahead, this will provide an initial boost to staff communication. This could be in the form of a company breakfast, lunch or just drinks following a company or team meeting.

5. A focus, reiteration and discussion of company strategy, goals and objectives will help encourage employees to think about their personal contribution and goals for the year ahead.

6. Encourage employees to engage with business plans for the year ahead. Offer employees the opportunity to share ideas and thoughts they have such as improving the practices and processes of the organisation or enhancing client relations. This could be through work lunches, staff forums or even a staff ideas box.

7. Post-Christmas blues can often lead to a temporary rise in absenteeism, and it is important to spot such trends before they become a bigger issue. 

8. Following the high energy and celebrations of Christmas in December, January marks a time of performance reviews, new expectations and staff changes that can raise anxiety levels. Keep a close eye on individuals and take time to speak to them and alleviate their worries.

9. Consider introducing flexible working hours and reduce stress by helping employees accommodate new year errands.

10. Take time to assess employee training needs for the new year. Learning and self development goals are good motivators and form the basis of new year resolutions. Any support an organisation can offer to help will increase retention and motivation.