Small business owners may be considering implementing summer hours as a way to combat employee burnout. The rising temperature during the summer months can take a toll on employees, leaving them emotionally drained and used up by the end of the workday. Offering perks such as early releases on Fridays can help boost morale and provide employees with much-needed breaks.
A recent report by the Society for Human Resource Management found that a large percentage of U.S. employees feel burned out at work, with small businesses facing particular challenges due to their limited resources. As a result, many small business owners may be struggling to offer competitive pay and benefits to improve employee satisfaction.
Summer hours can be an effective way for small businesses to show appreciation to their employees, but before implementing reduced hours, business owners should carefully consider factors such as employee workload and deadlines. It may be necessary to stagger time off or offer reduced hours every other week to accommodate business needs.
Once a decision has been made to offer reduced summer hours, it’s important to communicate the policy clearly to employees. Put the details in writing, including start and end dates, and inform employees well in advance so they can plan accordingly. This will help ensure that everyone is on the same page and avoid any misunderstandings or confusion about when time off is allowed.
At the end of the summer season, conduct a post-mortem evaluation of the summer hours policy. Assess what worked well and what didn’t, and make any necessary adjustments for the following summer
