Top tips to support and engage your workforce through this festive season

The festive season isn’t always a time of rest and celebration. For many employees, it brings financial pressure, emotional strain, and the challenge of balancing personal commitments with year-end workloads.

A structured, well-communicated benefits programme doesn’t just offer support, it actively drives engagement. When employees feel seen, heard, and supported, they’re more likely to stay connected to their work and their workplace.

1. Financial Wellbeing

December can be the most expensive month of the year. According to Money Trust Advice, the average household spending exceeds £700.

Salary sacrifice schemes, retail discounts, interest-free loans, and early paydays can all help ease the burden. These benefits don’t just relieve financial stress; they show employees that their employer is tuned into real-life challenges.

Financial wellbeing tools, such as budgeting webinars or debt advice, also reinforce that message. When employees feel supported in managing their finances, they’re more likely to stay focused and motivated at work.

2. Mental Health

The festive period can heighten feelings of loneliness, grief, and overwhelm. At the same time, personal responsibilities often increase, just as pressure at work peaks.

Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs), counselling, and flexible working options can offer meaningful support but only if employees know they’re available and feel encouraged to use them.

Proactive communication and empathetic leadership are essential. When mental health support is visible and accessible, employees are more likely to engage with it and with their work.

3. Rewards and Recognition

The end of the year is a natural moment to reflect and recognise effort. Personalised rewards, team celebrations, and messages from leadership help employees feel valued.

Recognition platforms that allow people to choose their own rewards add a layer of personal relevance that strengthens engagement. When employees feel appreciated, they’re more likely to bring energy and commitment into the new year.

Streamline Benefits With Your Work Wiz App

Work Wiz, the worker benefits and communications app helps streamline and deliver accessible benefits communications, available 24/7 and especially for the moments in life that matter. Whether it’s financial support, mental health resources, doctors services or recognition tools, the app puts all this in an easy to use mobile platform that connects your workforce at all times.

Find out how easy it is to revolutionise your employment experience and boost your employee’s performance – book a demo today.