Flexibility: How to Enhance Work-Life Balance During the Holidays

During the festive period, it can seem especially busy - inside and outside of work. The end of year rush means you can feel like you’re scrambling to meet deadlines, attend every holiday party you can, spend time with friends and family and generally keep up with life.

However, it’s a wonderful time of year and is meant to be enjoyed, which can be done through ensuring proper work-life balance when you’re working Christmas hours and enjoying your work as well as your home life as much as you can.

Being kind to yourself and flexible with your time is key during this period - putting boundaries in place allows you to better manage your time and keep the chaos at bay. Luckily, modern workspaces are designed to allow you to do just that.

In this article, we'll try to answer the age-old question of "What is a good work-life balance?" when it comes to the festive period, delving into how flexible work arrangements can help you have the best Christmas possible. We'll also look at some ideas to help you navigate the tricky period of Christmas closure and office closure, as well as the benefits of using flexible office space and how it can help during unconventional times of the year.

The Power of Flexibility in the Modern Workplace

Pre-covid, flexibility at work was seen as a benefit offered by employers to parents or carers. However, now in the modern workplace, it’s almost a must-have. Pre-pandemic, business leaders were starting to see that introducing flexible working policies might be the way forward and that was only escalated by the pandemic. Covid forced us to work remotely and get to grips with a more flexible approach to work.

The pandemic showed that working remotely has its place, but balance is key. After almost two years of continued working from home, many employees themselves recognised the value of in person interactions and are taking the opportunity to come into a workplace that allows them to meet with, collaborate and learn from colleagues .

There are a number of benefits to flexible working for businesses and individuals such as:

• It’s more cost effective - with a hybrid working model you don’t need as many desks, or permanent office space if you don’t want, saving money on rent and bills.
• It increases productivity - working in different environments and at times suitable for individuals increases productivity, and it gives people autonomy over their own work.
• It increases employee satisfaction - not only does flexible working allow employees the chance to have a better work-life balance but it gives them a sense of responsibility and a feeling of trust, which goes a long way.
• It helps attract talent - as we’ve mentioned, flexible working used to be a benefit but now it’s pretty much expected, especially by new talent.

The rejection of tradition has given rise to a new era of flexible working. This shift is particularly visible during the festive season when employees face the double pressure of meeting Christmas hours at work and participating in personal celebrations with friends and family. Flexible working extends beyond just being able to work remotely – it also includes the freedom to adjust your work schedule and choose more flexible working hours.

Employers who can adapt to this shift in expectation and are willing to champion flexible working are not only responding to the evolving needs of their workforce but are also doing their but to set in place a positive work culture. This becomes more under the spotlight during the festive period when achieving a good work-life balance can often be more challenging due to some companies not having a fixed Christmas closure or others having irregular Christmas hours, which can make personal commitments and childcare difficult.

Tips for Achieving Work-Life Balance During the Holidays

The festive period can be a challenging time for many, especially if they do not have an office closure in place. This can make it difficult for them to see friends and family during this special time, so any time they do have should be spent doing what they love.

Here are some tips that can make it easier for individuals to maintain a healthy work-life balance and work schedule over Christmas.

Strategic Planning for Work Hours

As Christmas fast approaches, consider taking a critical look at your current workload and priorities. It would be wise to organise your tasks based on urgency and importance to effectively allocate your time. As many businesses will start implementing reduced Christmas hours, you'll need to work smarter with your time. This careful approach ensures that you meet your professional obligations without sacrificing important quality time spent with loved ones.

Communication is Key

Always try to maintain an open and transparent line of communication with your employer and colleagues, especially over the festive period. With variations in office Christmas hours and the possibility of office closure, it's easy for things to things to get missed, which can have huge ramifications depending on your line of work.

To prevent this, you should discuss expectations, set boundaries at work, and update your team on your availability. 

Take Advantage of Remote Work

If you can set in place flexible work arrangements over Christmas, this could be very beneficial. This not only allows you to be physically present for family gatherings but also makes it easier for you to overcome potential challenges such as reduced office Christmas hours more effectively – getting into the office over Christmas can be a nightmare, especially if it's only for a few hours each day! By using technology to work from home, you'll be able to enjoy your festive period without falling behind at work – this is key if you are looking at how to achieve work-life balance.

Make use of time blocking

Time blocking is a great strategy during the holiday season and beyond. It helps you to see what tasks you need to do and when and allows you to concentrate on them for a set period. Simply block out periods of your day and assign tasks. It helps you to maintain focus, and leave time to do the things you love.

Set boundaries

You’ll have heard time and time again that setting boundaries is one of the most important things you can do to achieve true work-life balance and we’re here to tell you that is true. The most important thing you can do with your boundaries is stick to them. Give yourself a finish time each day and make every effort to stick to it.

Delegate

You may be thinking you already do this, but it is important to make sure you’re doing it right. Your team is there to support you, and vice versa, so it’s key to work together, especially during the holiday season. Delegate tasks that are better suited to other team members and focus on your priorities.

Embrace a change in scenery

Working remotely can be a blessing for flexible working - it takes away the commute and gives you more time in the day to spend as you please. However, sometimes all you need to boost productivity and create clear boundaries is to change location. Head into your office for one or two days to separate your work life from your home life this holiday season and ensure the work day ends when you leave the office.

Benefits of Using Flexible Office Spaces During the Holidays

Traditional office spaces, which often include fixed workstations and a rigid work schedule, can contribute to increased stress and anxiety during the festive season, even if you have a Christmas closure in place.

During the holidays, getting out and into an office might seem like the last thing you want to do, but once you’re there the benefits are vast. Many employers have recognised this and have chosen modern offices that are designed with employee well-being in mind, as well as offering a variety of flexible work arrangements that support a healthier work-life balance.

Flexible working space is designed for you

Modern office space is designed to offer the best possible environment for staff - so, you’ll find that you have plenty of options when it comes to workspace, being able to choose the right working environment for you on any given day.

Activity-Based Workspaces

Flexible office spaces often feature activity-based workspaces that are specifically designed to cater to different work styles. They allow workers to choose between quiet zones (perfect for solo working) and collaborative areas (great for team projects). This is a type of flexible working that helps employees get the most out of their working day, giving them the power to choose how they work. People work in different ways, and the festive period can be a time of worry for some, so by having different work areas available, you can ensure a good level of productivity and morale.

Wellness Amenities

If we're looking at how to achieve work-life balance over Christmas, having access to wellness amenities is important. They often come with flexible office spaces and can include fitness centres, meditation rooms, and recreational areas. Some employees may not celebrate Christmas at all, so having spaces where they can escape from all the holiday cheer will likely be very much appreciated.

Customisable Workstations

Flexible work arrangements also extend to the physical environment. Many flexible office spaces offer customisable workstations that allow employees to alter their workspace according to their preferences. This enhanced comfort and could help maintain morale over the festive period, especially if you don't have a Christmas closure or still require your team to work reduced Christmas hours. This is only a small benefit, but these minor changes can go a long way in creating a more enjoyable work experience.

You can see colleagues

Working remotely can be beneficial, but working in isolation can also be lonely, especially during the holidays. Getting out of the house and into the office to see co-workers and chat about their festive plans might be just what you need. It’s also great to bounce ideas around and be inspired at work.

It separates work and home

Work-life balance is all about separating your work from your life and being able to enjoy both as a result. Most simply, working in an office does exactly this. It’s easy for your work and home life to merge when you work from home, and work time spills over into home life - but in the office, you can set clear boundaries, finish work and then head home.

Get in Touch

Achieving a good work-life balance during the festive period should benefit both employees and employers. By embracing flexible work arrangements in the modern workplace, you can make a clear investment in the overall satisfaction and productivity of your people. To discuss how a flexible office space can benefit your team, get in touch with Knight Frank.

At Knight Frank we have a variety of flexible office spaces available to rent that offer your team all of the benefits and amenities to make the office a space they want to spend time in. We’re here to make your job easier, so if you’re looking for flexible working space but unsure where to start, get in touch with us today.