Maintaining Workplace Motivation in Summer
It can be challenging to stay motivated during the summer months. The wait is finally over and temperatures and sunshine levels begin to peak. A spell of good weather can present a conflict between the urge to get outside and the necessity of focusing on work. Summer travel plans quickly become the go-to topic of conversation. And all around us, online and in real life, we are reminded of all the places we could be other than work. Heatwaves can have a deleterious effect on productivity. Extreme temperatures can zap energy levels, reduce concentration and make it difficult to remain focused and comfortable. So what can workplaces do to avoid a drop in engagement over the summer? Social Pantry shares some key advice for maintaining motivation and hot tips for handling the heat throughout the summer months…
Strengthen company culture with team meals – preferably al fresco!
Research has revealed that the more often people eat with others the more likely they are to feel happy and satisfied with their lives. This is no exception at work. Shared meals strengthen a team by fostering connection and community. They help to celebrate diversity, embed rituals and deepen conversation. Team meals can provide a focal point of the day. They motivate employees to work hard throughout the morning with a break to look forward to. Combining lunch with a change of environment provides a greater sense of work-life balance. Spending the lunch break outside is one of the clearest ways to create this distinction!
Structured sunshine breaks
Time outside in the sunshine offers a host of physical and mental wellbeing benefits. Use the weather to your advantage by building ‘sunshine breaks’ into the day! Exposure to sunlight in the middle of the day can enhance productivity in both the short and long term. It can have an immediately energising and mood-boosting effect. Sunshine also has a powerful positive impact on circadian rhythms to boost alertness during the day and ensure good quality sleep at night. Having a regular circadian rhythm is associated with better immunity and mental health. This means employees feel and perform their best whilst also reducing sick leave.
If you haven’t heard of fractals, they are patterns found in nature that our brains are hard-wired to recognise. Human beings have evolved while constantly looking at fractal patterns found in clouds, rivers, trees, and other natural entities. Because of this, our brains are actually pre-wired to positively respond to them by increasing alpha wave activity and reducing stress. Get outside and soak up the benefits from all angles!
Have a heatwave plan in place
Depending on the specific living and work arrangements of your employees, the office may be the last, or the first and preferred, place to be. Ask employees to indicate in advance where they would prefer to work in the case of a heatwave. This provides you with an opportunity to maximise efficiency and efficacy on those notoriously unproductive heatwave days. Plus you can come up with solutions to take care of employees. Or incentivise coming into the office where this is beneficial.
Air conditioning, refreshments and access to showers or changing facilities will have a major sway on people’s decision to come into the office. Employers can also consider offering flexible hours and support with travel arrangements. Help employees avoid travelling in extreme temperatures during rush hour. Encourage people to walk or cycle into work early whilst it’s cooler (whilst still benefitting from the morning sunlight exposure!). Or facilitate ridesharing via an air-conditioned electric vehicle.
Freshen up!
Office showers are yet to be the norm. However the demand for workplace shower and changing facilities are growing as more people cycle to work or fit their workout into the working day. Many companies operate around the clock with people working outside the 9 to 5. Therefore they need to fulfil more of their needs at work. Additionally there is no escaping the increasingly extreme and volatile weather in the UK – from raging downpours to unexpected heatwaves – associated with global warming.
If you’re one of the fortunate few workplaces with shower and change facilities, ensure they are well-stocked. High-quality, environmentally friendly toiletries and personal care products are essential. Not only will this make coming into the office more appealing in the hot sweaty summer months, it’s a small gesture that shows you care about employee wellbeing.
Bower Collective is a B-corp propelling the refill revolution with sustainable personal care products and toiletries in refillable, reusable containers. Bower’s Body Wash, Shampoo and Conditioner are vegan and crueltry-free made in the UK using 99% naturally derived ingredients and come with pre-paid envelopes for the reusable packaging to be returned and refilled. The option to Subscribe & Save ensures you’ll never run out whilst saving money too.
If you don’t have full shower facilities, provide a “refresh station” featuring eco-friendly dry shampoo (we love Klorane Laboratories plant-based dry shampoo), refillable natural spray deodorant (such as Salt of The Earth) and a wet-wipe alternative spray (try Wype or Luna Daily). Set up a “hydration station” in tandem. Social Pantry applies the same fresh, seasonal and creative approach to drinks. Expect delicious, healthy and resourceful drinks such as homemade iced tea; fruit, herb and botanical infused water; seasonal fruit cordials and Redemption Roasters cold brew.
Speaking of refreshments… did someone say ice cream?
Ice cream is the ultimate summer employee engagement reward. When temperatures rise and energy levels dip, ice cream provides instant gratification. As part of bespoke in-house catering by Social Pantry, it is a simple and extremely effective way to reward and motivate your team. It will cool employees down whilst lifting energy levels, boosting good will and solidifying company culture. And you can guarantee your employees will go gloating to their mates about how great their workplace is for offering free ice cream! Offer ad lib; make it a Friday afternoon ritual; or take things to the next level offering a decadent Scoop Shop as part of your workplace summer party! As well as edible add-ons like inventive zero-waste ice cream toppings, Social Pantry can also arrange personalised pots, bespoke branding, and ice cream wafers stamped with your company logo. Food with impact is our speciality!
