Summer is here, and your employees likely are itching for some fun and rest. It’s not too late to institute some measure of summer hours to reward staff for their hard work and ease some of their stress and burnout.
Of course, there are pros and cons. The pros include improved work-life balance, morale, and productivity. However, in senior living where you are counting on specific staffing levels to care for residents, flexibility can be problematic if it leaves you short-staffed at any time.
However, there are some ways to institute summer hours in a way that works for your company and your workers. You can let workers work 12-hour shifts for 4 days a week, or you can let workers take alternate Friday afternoons off. If it possible for some workers to telecommute, let them do so a few days per week during the summer. Consider asking your employees with kids what kinds of schedules would help reduce summer childcare costs.
Whatever you do, try to find ways to enable workers to enjoy the summer, take time off, and spend time with family and friends.