How to help staff beat the January blues

The start of a new year can often feel flat. We spend our time gearing up for Christmas festivities and racing around during December, so when January comes around, it’s easy to feel demotivated. The miserable weather and financial worries after Christmas add to the reasons why people might have the January blues.

 

The January blues can leave people feeling low, sad, anxious, and demotivated. Going back to work can feel particularly tough. January is a peak time for sickness absence and stress in the workplace, which can lead to poor staff morale and productivity. 

 

 

Keep staff engaged in the workplace

 

It’s a common time for people to look for new jobs. A study from Third Sector Jobs, which polled 318 charity staff, found that almost half (46%) of respondents were planning to look for a job with a new employer in the next 12 months.

 

A study from the University of Warwick’s Centre for Competitive Advantage showed that when staff are happy, this increases productivity as much as 20%.

 

So, it’s important to help staff beat the January blues. This will benefit both employees and charities and increase your chances of retaining loyal staff.

 

Below we look at the best ways to do that.

 

 

Pay a fair salary

 

It’s a challenging time for the charity sector with increasing costs, but equally it’s a tough time for staff. The Third Sector Jobs survey found that people are increasingly looking for higher salaries due to the cost-of-living crisis and inflation rates.

 

Make sure more junior staff are paid fairly for their work. The Living Wage Foundation encourages employers to tackle in-work poverty and provide a decent standard of living by paying the Living Wage. This is above the minimum and national living wage.

 

 

Offer good employee benefits

 

As well as a fair salary, employee benefits such as pensions with good contributions, and enhanced maternity and paternity packages will help to motivate staff.

 

Review what you currently offer and decide whether you may be able to offer staff more. The Third Sector Jobs survey shows that above statutory pension contributions are a priority to people, with 88% of respondents stating this was important.

 

 

Value equality, diversity, and inclusion

 

More than one in three people who took part in the Third Sector Jobs survey, said their organisation was either indifferent to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in the workplace. Or it wasn’t committed to building an inclusive staff team.

 

There are many reasons why organisations should promote EDI. This includes it being the right thing to do as every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.

 

Another reason for placing importance on EDI is that it increases innovation and creativity as you will be working with a diverse range of people with different ideas.

 

 

Provide flexible working

 

More than nine in 10 (94%) people who took part in the Third Sector Jobs survey ranked flexible working hours as either very or quite important to them.

 

The ability to work remotely, or a combination of both home- and office-based work, were also priorities for people who took part in the survey. Review how you currently do things and consider providing more flexibility to staff.

 

 

Give people direction

 

Smallbusiness.co.uk says a lack of direction can prompt staff to look for other jobs. It recommends setting team objectives or an organisational milestone to keep people engaged in January.

 

Talking to staff and involving them in what is going on in the charity will make them feel valued and like they have an important role to play. Senior managers should let staff know what the plans are for the year ahead and what the charity is trying to achieve. This will help to make them feel inspired to work hard.

 

 

Praise staff

 

Small actions can have a big impact on staff morale. Praise staff for their work and tell them you appreciate what they’re doing. This will boost people’s moods.

 

 

Get outside in the fresh air

 

Make sure staff go outside during their lunch breaks and get some fresh air. Of course, we don’t have much sunshine in the UK in January, and the weather can be hit or miss, but getting out each day can help to support people’s mental health.

 

 

Meet individual needs

 

Smallbusiness.co.uk says that “staff motivation is hugely important to a company’s success – but it can’t be achieved with a one-size-fits-all approach”.

 

It’s vital to consider the needs of a whole team, but it’s also important to look at what individual staff need. Some people will be motivated by a social event, while others may feel boosted by a job promotion, if warranted, or more flexible working hours.

 

Also, do work with staff on an individual basis to give them a focus for the year ahead. Review their personal objectives and give them some guidance on how they can progress. Having new responsibilities and challenges can help to keep staff motivated.