Personnel Today
  • Home
    • All PT content
  • Email sign-up
  • Topics
    • HR Practice
    • Employee relations
    • Learning & training
    • Pay & benefits
    • Recruitment & retention
    • Wellbeing
    • Occupational Health
    • HR strategy
    • HR Tech
    • The HR profession
    • Global
    • All HR topics
  • Legal
    • Case law
    • Commentary
    • Flexible working
    • Legal timetable
    • Maternity & paternity
    • Shared parental leave
    • Redundancy
    • TUPE
    • Disciplinary and grievances
    • Employer’s guides
  • AWARDS
    • Personnel Today Awards
    • The RAD Awards
  • Jobs
    • Find a job
    • Jobs by email
    • Careers advice
    • Post a job
  • Brightmine
    • Learn more
    • Products
    • Free trial
    • Request a quote
  • Webinars
  • Advertise

Personnel Today

Register
Log in
Personnel Today
  • Home
    • All PT content
  • Email sign-up
  • Topics
    • HR Practice
    • Employee relations
    • Learning & training
    • Pay & benefits
    • Recruitment & retention
    • Wellbeing
    • Occupational Health
    • HR strategy
    • HR Tech
    • The HR profession
    • Global
    • All HR topics
  • Legal
    • Case law
    • Commentary
    • Flexible working
    • Legal timetable
    • Maternity & paternity
    • Shared parental leave
    • Redundancy
    • TUPE
    • Disciplinary and grievances
    • Employer’s guides
  • AWARDS
    • Personnel Today Awards
    • The RAD Awards
  • Jobs
    • Find a job
    • Jobs by email
    • Careers advice
    • Post a job
  • Brightmine
    • Learn more
    • Products
    • Free trial
    • Request a quote
  • Webinars
  • Advertise

AbsenceLatest NewsHR practice

Employees focus on Christmas instead of work

by Mike Berry 5 Dec 2005
by Mike Berry 5 Dec 2005

More than two-thirds of UK employees (68%) think their colleagues are less productive at work during the Christmas period, according to a new survey. 

The poll, conducted for Investors in People (IiP) by polling firm YouGov, shows that the problem is widespread across the UK, with workers in London scoring highest in the seasonal slowdown ratings (77%).

YouGov interviewed more than 2,500 working adults throughout the UK and Ireland in July and August this year.

Ruth Spellman, chief executive of IiP UK, said: “While it’s important to keep staff focused to ensure the job gets done over the Christmas period, no-one wants a Grinch for a manager. 

“The key to getting the best from your staff at a time when they may be distracted by planning for Christmas is to ensure they continue to enjoy coming to work. Wise men and women understand that staff motivation is vital to all-year-round prosperity.”

Sign up to our weekly round-up of HR news and guidance

Receive the Personnel Today Direct e-newsletter every Wednesday

OptOut
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Businesses with more than 250 employees are most likely to suffer from seasonal slowdown (70%) but growing companies are also vulnerable (67%). 

To stem staff sluggishness, IiP is urging bosses to keeping employee spirits high with six top tips.



  • Promote healthy working by making time to check in with staff. Make sure they are not struggling in to work with a nasty cold or flu, or suffering from lack of proper cover or support
  • Ensure any extra time staff work over Christmas is logged in their next review and make sure your employees know it has been noted 
  • Don’t be a Scrooge â€“ if you’re not awarding bonuses, why not at least give each member of staff working over Christmas a small festive gift as a token of appreciation 
  • Show your own face â€“ if you’re not prepared to put in the hours during the festive period, how can you expect your team to deliver? 
  • Think outside the Christmas box – allow your staff to take an extra half hour at lunchtime for present buying and make up the time at the start or end of the day
  • Pay extra attention to those employees who work shifts during the Christmas period Bank Holidays – at a time when everyone else is celebrating with friends and family, it is important that managers keep staff motivated in their work.

Mike Berry

previous post
Ballot papers sent out over DWP job cuts
next post
Civil partnership law reminds employers to seek diversity

You may also like

August lull in recruitment as business gets set...

18 Sep 2025

Social mobility: Privately educated elite still leads UK...

18 Sep 2025

Ministers extend liability for umbrella companies’ unpaid PAYE

18 Sep 2025

‘Flawed system’ blocking apprenticeships from young people

18 Sep 2025

Met Police staff in strike ballot over London...

18 Sep 2025

Personnel Today Awards 2025 shortlist: Workplace culture (smaller...

18 Sep 2025

Trainee GP who displayed Palestine flag sues for...

17 Sep 2025

Graduates face ‘white-collar’ recession in jobs market

17 Sep 2025

Ben & Jerry’s co-founder quits over Unilever’s social...

17 Sep 2025

Inflation unchanged at 3.8% in August

17 Sep 2025

  • Workplace health benefits need to be simplified SPONSORED | Long-term sickness...Read more
  • Work smart – stay well: Avoid unnecessary pain with centred ergonomics SPONSORED | If you often notice...Read more
  • Elevate your L&D strategy at the World of Learning 2025 SPONSORED | This October...Read more
  • How to employ a global workforce from the UK (webinar) WEBINAR | With an unpredictable...Read more

Personnel Today Jobs
 

Search Jobs

PERSONNEL TODAY

About us
Contact us
Browse all HR topics
Email newsletters
Content feeds
Cookies policy
Privacy policy
Terms and conditions

JOBS

Personnel Today Jobs
Post a job
Why advertise with us?

EVENTS & PRODUCTS

The Personnel Today Awards
The RAD Awards
Employee Benefits Live
Employee Benefits
Forum for Expatriate Management
Whatmedia

ADVERTISING & PR

Advertising opportunities
Features list 2025

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin


© 2011 - 2025 DVV Media International Ltd

Personnel Today
  • Home
    • All PT content
  • Email sign-up
  • Topics
    • HR Practice
    • Employee relations
    • Learning & training
    • Pay & benefits
    • Recruitment & retention
    • Wellbeing
    • Occupational Health
    • HR strategy
    • HR Tech
    • The HR profession
    • Global
    • All HR topics
  • Legal
    • Case law
    • Commentary
    • Flexible working
    • Legal timetable
    • Maternity & paternity
    • Shared parental leave
    • Redundancy
    • TUPE
    • Disciplinary and grievances
    • Employer’s guides
  • AWARDS
    • Personnel Today Awards
    • The RAD Awards
  • Jobs
    • Find a job
    • Jobs by email
    • Careers advice
    • Post a job
  • Brightmine
    • Learn more
    • Products
    • Free trial
    • Request a quote
  • Webinars
  • Advertise