We all know that returning to work after a vacation can be tough. You’ve had a break from the daily grind and the first few days back in the job can take some adjusting to - especially if it was a particularly long vacation, involved travel or a significant event (like a wedding).
For most people, it only takes a day or so before we slip back into gear. Occasionally, though, the post-vacation blues can drag on, affecting morale and productivity of not only individual employees but the whole team.
Fortunately, employers and managers can help ease staff through this transitional period by offering support, understanding, and practical solutions.
Let’s explore the best ways to escape the post-vacation blues and get the team back to work with a positive mindset and renewed energy.
Acknowledge the situation
The first step in addressing post-vacation blues is recognizing that it’s a real issue that lots of people face (you’ve probably had moments of it yourself!).
Acknowledge the challenge openly with your workers - it could be a simple message welcoming them back or could be a more informal chat with an employee or the whole team.
Being honest not only helps normalize how people are feeling, it also sets the tone for empathy and shows employees that they matter.
Encourage flexibility and manageable workloads
One of the primary reasons post-vacation blues occur is the jarring contrast between the relaxation of time off and the demands of work. Employees may feel overwhelmed by the pile of orders, messages, or deadlines that have built up in their absence.
To ease this, consider offering flexibility in the first few weeks back. It could mean giving employees the option to adjust their hours (e.g. finishing early the first few days) or work from home, or easing them into their responsibilities rather than expecting them to hit the ground at full speed.
By prioritizing tasks and setting manageable expectations, you can prevent employees from feeling buried under a mountain of work as soon as they return.
Offer opportunities for skill development or new projects
Sometimes, the post-vacation slump can be caused by a sense that work lacks meaning or that a person is stagnating in their role. One way to combat this is by working collaboratively with employees to offer opportunities for growth or the chance to take on new projects.
It may be an individual setting a fresh career objective or identifying a training opportunity for the year ahead. It could be a short-term goal for the whole team, such as building sales or customer engagement in the quarter or identifying a new piece of technology to help with productivity.
If employees have something tangible to look forward to, it can give them a renewed sense of purpose and direction as they return to work. It also encourages a sense of accomplishment as they check off their goals over time.
But make sure that any initiative or project is clear, attainable, and followed up on. You don’t want people getting their hopes up only for them to be disappointed or feel their efforts weren’t appreciated.
Foster a positive and inclusive work environment
A positive work culture where people feel valued and supported benefits everyone in the long run. It’s also effective at combating post-vacation stress.
You might organize a casual “welcome back” catch-up or lunch so the team can reconnect and share stories about their time off.
Regular check-ins with employees - whether they are part of your performance review process or more informal - will also help your team members feel connected, while providing valuable insight into their thoughts and wellbeing, so you can work on support and solutions, if need be.
Incorporate team-building activities
Team-building activities can play a part in revitalizing employee spirits after a vacation. These activities not only encourage bonding among employees but also help create a sense of excitement around work again.
You can plan fun activities or let your team lead with things that they want to do, whether that’s group lunches, games, or wellness-focused events like yoga sessions.
But be mindful that for some people, team-building exercises are stressful and shouldn’t be compulsory if participating will cause more harm than good.
Recognize and celebrate employee efforts
We often celebrate success after major accomplishments or at key moments, such as the end of the year. But recognizing employee efforts is a powerful tool for boosting morale at any time, and after the holiday season or vacations is no exception.
You may want to thank employees for their hard work before the vacation and to share any successes that were achieved before the break. You might consider offering small incentives such as gift cards or extra time-off.
Again, be wary of making token gestures that will ring hollow with your team. To be effective, celebrations of success need to be genuine and ongoing, and should involve your employees in deciding how they would like to celebrate.
Promote mental health and wellbeing resources
If people are really struggling or you find longer-term issues setting in, you may need to take more direct action.
Brief bouts of physical activity throughout the work day - e.g. short walks, commuting by bike, sitting outside in the sun for 15 minutes - can help boost people’s mood.
If you have well-being support systems such as an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) in place, encourage employees to use them. You might also consider hosting targeted workshops on stress management or mindfulness.
A proactive approach helps normalize conversations about mental health and reduces stigma. It also allows you to spot issues early and to work with people on remedies.
.jpg)
