When business is booming, HR often shifts into "keep everything moving" mode. Here are a few reminders to help your team navigate the season successfully:

• Cross-train employees to cover vacations, unexpected absences, and shifting workloads.
• Monitor overtime, staffing levels, and labor costs to avoid burnout and stay on budget.
• Prioritize employee safety by reviewing heat illness prevention, hydration, PPE, and severe weather procedures.
• Ensure compliance by reviewing child labor laws if employing minors and confirming required training or certifications are up to date.
• Prepare for staffing disruptions with contingency plans for vacations, absenteeism, and last-minute scheduling changes.
• Recognize employees who are helping carry the extra workload! Small gestures of appreciation go a long way during busy seasons.
• Look ahead to next summer by asking successful seasonal employees if they'd be interested in returning.

If Summer Is Your Slower Season
If business naturally slows down during the summer, don't let that time go to waste.
Consider tackling some of those projects you've been putting off.

Here are a few ideas, in no particular order:

• Unsubscribe from newsletters you no longer read (unless it's ours...then maybe keep that subscription!).

• Pick one "big project" you've been avoiding. Maybe it's completing an I-9 audit, implementing a new HRIS, replacing a difficult vendor, or conducting a compensation study. Every HR professional has at least one item that’s sitting on the back burner.
• If you hired interns this summer, begin planning for offboarding. Gather feedback, evaluate the program, and identify improvements for next year. If you didn't have interns this year, perhaps it's something to consider for next summer or even over winter break.
• Start preparing for fall open enrollment. If you're evaluating new benefit providers, now is the perfect time to schedule meetings.
• Refresh your employee engagement efforts. If you've been doing the same team-building activities for years, try something new. Personally, I think ice cream is always a good idea.
• Encourage managers to hold mid-year check-ins with employees to discuss progress toward goals, celebrate accomplishments, and identify development opportunities. Providing managers with a simple discussion guide or rubric can make these conversations much more effective.
• Launch a walking club or step challenge to promote employee wellness while the weather is nice.
• Organize a company volunteer day with one of the many incredible nonprofit organizations throughout the Capital Region. It's a great way to build camaraderie while giving back to the community

Whether summer is your busiest season or your chance to catch your breath, I hope you're able to take advantage of the longer days. Spend time with family, enjoy some sunshine, tackle a project you've been putting off, and remember to make a little time for yourself, too.

Have a safe, productive, and enjoyable summer!

Yours in Service,
Rebecca