It might seem early to start thinking about Christmas. However, though the period brings festive cheer, for manufacturing leaders it signals a time of heightened demand and pressure. This is particularly true for food manufacturers who face the unique challenge of producing perishable goods that can't be stocked in advance. Higher demand, coupled with heightened employee absences due to sickness, can lead to operational bottlenecks and stress. In fact, 42 percent of employees find December the most stressful month of the year. Proper preparation is key to navigating this hectic period successfully. Here's how manufacturing leaders can effectively prepare their teams for the Christmas rush.
Control the controllables
The first step in preparing for Christmas is to control what you can. Labour shortages are a common issue, but strategic planning can alleviate this challenge. Begin by forecasting demand based on historical data. It is important to pair this with mapping past absence trends, to create a view of temporary staff needed that is as accurate as possible.
While planning is crucial, it will never be a perfect science and unexpected situations are likely to arise. There is a likelihood that extra shifts will need to be created and covered at the last minute. A strong software solution for workforce planning is a forward-thinking investment that can ease the pressure. For example, a time and attendance solution can allow team members to flag availability and willingness for extra shifts, and auto-rostering software ensures new schedules can be created quickly and easily. The right tools can help prevent last-minute scrambles.
Start conversations early
However, even with all the forward thinking possible, there will of course be stressful times for your people. Engaging with your team well before the festive period is vital. Hold open conversations about the expected busy weeks, encouraging staff to voice any concerns or ideas they may have. Addressing potential challenges early can help alleviate anxiety and foster a sense of team unity.
It could be useful to send out a survey ahead of time, uncovering any specific concerns around Christmas and allowing you to take steps to tackle them. Whether it's additional training, flexible working arrangements, or wellness initiatives, addressing any needs identified should contribute to a more harmonious and productive workplace when it gets to crunch time. You could even throw in a question about how they would like to celebrate Christmas; party, trip, drinks after work? 60 percent of employers do not ask their teams how they would like to celebrate, and planning a seasonal treat to suit workers offers a light at the end of the tunnel that can boost motivation.
Align goals with the Christmas period
Managers and HR teams have the opportunity to turn Christmas stress into a learning opportunity, but only with forward planning and learning and development processes already firmly in place. With a performance management process and solution that allows you to create agile, short-term goals, leaders will find it is easier to keep their teams motivated and focused during this busy time.
Encourage managers to set clear, achievable goals for their team over Christmas, emphasising the collective effort required to meet demand. This is a perfect time to align the objectives with rewards, as Christmas bonuses and time off can be offered in exchange for hitting productivity targets.
Preparing your people and processes for the Christmas rush requires careful planning, effective communication, and a focus on engagement and well-being. By controlling what you can, aligning goals, and leveraging technology, you can create a resilient and motivated team capable of meeting demand.
How OneAdvanced’s solutions can help
- A software solution such as OneAdvanced’s Time & Attendance can help you map past absence trends, create new shift patterns quickly and easily with auto-rostering, and allows your staff to flag availability and willingness for extra shifts – perfect for dealing with the Christmastime rush.
- Using a software solution like OneAdvanced’s Performance & Talent enables you to send out custom surveys, have regular and recorded online conversations with employees and also facilitates the creation of agile goals.