It’s the most wonderful time of year! With gift exchanges, holiday parties, and people taking off for the holidays, it’s easy to feel less productive and stretched thin at work. When greeting cards are yet to be sent and you’re in the thick of the holiday rush, try these five helpful tips to keep your season merry and bright.

Don’t let the holidays set you back

While it’s tempting to “circle back in the new year”, pushing off your work during the holidays will only set you back in January. To avoid this, try maintaining a regular to-do list that you review daily to keep track of all your tasks and priorities. Trust us, your future self will thank you.

Manage holiday schedules

December is one of the biggest months for holiday closures and schedule changes for businesses. If you’re a business owner, it’s crucial to communicate holiday hours well in advance and accommodate various employee break times and requests for paid time off (PTO). If you’re an employee planning to take time off during the holidays, it’s important to notify your employer of your plans for requested time off as soon as possible.

Respect the different beliefs of your coworkers

Different individuals observe diverse holidays, and even for those who celebrate, traditions vary widely. Certain individuals might opt out of celebrations entirely due to cultural or religious reasons. Whatever the situation may be, it’s important to respect and be considerate of colleagues who choose not to partake in festivities.

Be thoughtful when gift-giving

As you contemplate giving gifts to your coworkers keep in mind that formal etiquette says that gifts at work should flow downward. To avoid managers from unfairly benefiting from power dynamics, this means that it’s generally ok for your boss to give you a gift, but you and your coworkers shouldn’t feel pressured to give presents to your manager. However, this can differ widely across workplaces so take your company’s distinct work culture into account. To ease the gift giving pressure and ensure that no one feels left out, teams can also opt for a holiday gift exchange.

Maintain your professionalism at holiday parties

Holiday parties are meant to celebrate but it’s important to remember to behave appropriately. Making a mess of yourself by indulging at the open bar can have a damaging effect on your professional reputation. Enjoy in moderation, dress appropriately and find opportunities to develop your work relationships at these events.

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It’s the most wonderful time of year! With gift exchanges, holiday parties, and people taking off for the holidays, it’s easy to feel less productive and stretched thin at work. When greeting cards are yet to be sent and you’re in the thick of the holiday rush, try these five helpful tips to keep your season merry and bright.

Don’t let the holidays set you back

While it’s tempting to “circle back in the new year”, pushing off your work during the holidays will only set you back in January. To avoid this, try maintaining a regular to-do list that you review daily to keep track of all your tasks and priorities. Trust us, your future self will thank you.

Manage holiday schedules

December is one of the biggest months for holiday closures and schedule changes for businesses. If you’re a business owner, it’s crucial to communicate holiday hours well in advance and accommodate various employee break times and requests for paid time off (PTO). If you’re an employee planning to take time off during the holidays, it’s important to notify your employer of your plans for requested time off as soon as possible.

Respect the different beliefs of your coworkers

Different individuals observe diverse holidays, and even for those who celebrate, traditions vary widely. Certain individuals might opt out of celebrations entirely due to cultural or religious reasons. Whatever the situation may be, it’s important to respect and be considerate of colleagues who choose not to partake in festivities.

Be thoughtful when gift-giving

As you contemplate giving gifts to your coworkers keep in mind that formal etiquette says that gifts at work should flow downward. To avoid managers from unfairly benefiting from power dynamics, this means that it’s generally ok for your boss to give you a gift, but you and your coworkers shouldn’t feel pressured to give presents to your manager. However, this can differ widely across workplaces so take your company’s distinct work culture into account. To ease the gift giving pressure and ensure that no one feels left out, teams can also opt for a holiday gift exchange.

Maintain your professionalism at holiday parties

Holiday parties are meant to celebrate but it’s important to remember to behave appropriately. Making a mess of yourself by indulging at the open bar can have a damaging effect on your professional reputation. Enjoy in moderation, dress appropriately and find opportunities to develop your work relationships at these events.

Sign up for our newsletter

Sign up for our monthly HIVE newsletter and get tips for finding a job, managing a business and advancing your career right in your inbox.

* indicates required