Tips for High Employee Engagement in the Summer

Summer's "productivity slump" is a recurring issue for many organizations, with decreased employee engagement leading to less efficiency, inconsistent profits, and staff turnover. Many businesses try to avoid summer burnout by keeping engagement high, though an essential part of this is understanding why your employees’ focus is faltering to begin with.

In this guide, we'll discuss the challenges employers face in maintaining employee engagement in the summer and the steps you can take to resolve this dilemma.

Why Is Employee Engagement Important in the Summer?

Employee engagement is defined as an employee’s commitment to their workflow and organization. Work cultures with high employee engagement tend to be more efficient and profitable. Additionally, as engagement usually makes employees feel more involved and satisfied with their work, high engagement also ensures workers are happy and increases retention. 

Unfortunately, employee engagement often dips for many organizations during the summer, especially for employees with children. Being cooped up behind a desk is genuinely not fun if you know there are "better" things you could be doing instead. Lack of engagement is especially detrimental to organizations whose profit margins are highest in the summer, such as those in sales, construction, manufacturing, and tourist destinations.

Challenges in Maintaining Engagement in the Summer

Employers and employees alike face many challenges in retaining their engagement and attention. From summer activities to sweltering temperatures, endless distractions contribute to employee disengagement and can negatively impact your organization. 

Summer Heat

Record-breaking heat isn't just uncomfortable, but it can also lead to fatigue, dehydration, and other issues that naturally deter from focus. Offices with poor AC or air circulation are particularly susceptible to heat-induced drawbacks. A hot commute to work or too much sun exposure can also cause employees to feel burnt out before the workday even begins.

Minds Elsewhere

With so much going on throughout the summer, such as local events, gardening, vacations, and seasonal sports, there can be a lot on employees' minds while they're in the office. This is especially true for employees with children, as leaving them with a babysitter or missing out on quality time can be incredibly distracting. In many cases, employees may be more focused on the summer plans they have after they clock out than the work they're performing while clocked in.

Busier Schedules

A plethora of things to do after work doesn't just distract employees but can also leave them exhausted. Consider an employee who has to drop their kids off at separate daycares in the morning, pick them up after work, bring them to soccer practice, grab groceries, mow the lawn, and prepare dinner in time for guests that night -- and, of course, the kids never go to bed on time in the summer.

To this employee, their job isn't the entire workday but an eight-hour step in a long docket of things to do. An overloaded summer schedule can leave many employees exhausted, and completing their work may be the least of their worries.

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Tips for Employee Engagement in the Summer

Many organizations have no problem maintaining good employee engagement in the summer, though the strategies that work for one company won't necessarily apply to the next. Below are a few tips for keeping employee engagement high throughout the summer. Find the ones that will work best for your company and try to implement them.

Flexible Schedules

Introducing a flexible or hybrid schedule will give employees more control over their time at work and allow them to enjoy the summer in ways they couldn't before. A hybrid schedule lets employees work certain days from home, while a flexible schedule lets employees choose their hours, such as an earlier or later shift. While not all organizations are in positions to introduce new scheduling procedures, giving employees more control over their hours may improve morale if they know they don’t have to miss anything important in their personal lives. 

Casual Dress Code

Intense summer heat reasonably makes many employees feel uncomfortable in dress pants and other work uniforms. Introducing a casual dress code policy or specific casual days will give workers a much-needed break from the heat and make the job more bearable. Plus, as many people's favorite outfits are their summer clothes, establishing casual dress codes allows employees to show off their fashion and expand the company's culture. 

Setting Realistic Goals and Expectations

A lack of personal accomplishment is a significant contributor to workplace burnout, especially when combined with other factors, such as feeling cooped up. Setting goals and expectations that are realistic and achievable will help employees feel more accomplished and increase their engagement by celebrating the little things. 

Encouraging PTO Use

Many employees prefer to stack their PTO or save it until the end of the year, which is perfectly acceptable, assuming you don't have specific policies against it. That said, encouraging employees to take PTO over the summer may inspire them to take advantage of the summer fun. Taking off a Monday for a long weekend or skipping a Wednesday for a mid-week break gives employees well-deserved time off so they can return refreshed and engaged. 

Make the Most of the Weather While at Work

Employees' relationships with each other and management play a significant role in their engagement. Finding creative ways to bond with employees while also making the most of the summer can be a beneficial way to improve morale and strengthen bonds. Examples include a company picnic, beach day, after-work hiking trip, or outdoor meetings. 

Give Employees Something to Look Forward To

Employees may be distracted by upcoming vacations, get-togethers, and other summer plans, even if they're months away. An employee focusing on work today could have their long-term attention elsewhere. Planning workplace events, such as company banquets and holiday parties, can keep employees looking to the future and more excited about their jobs.

Maintain High Employee Engagement in the Summer

High employee engagement is important for productivity, maintaining positive company culture, and decreasing the risk of errors. Summer is a great time to practice new engagement strategies that you can keep with your company year-round. For more engagement and retention tips, head to iHire's Employer Resource Center.