Vacation time: How to prevent stress and frustration in your team!

Vacation time: How to prevent stress and frustration in your team!

Vacation time is a welcome break for many employees, but it can pose significant challenges for those remaining in the office. There is a risk of stress and overload if colleagues have to take on vacation cover in addition to their own tasks. The burdens that have already been shared can put a strain on the mood in the team and lead to frustration, especially if several colleagues are absent at the same time the Süddeutsche Zeitung reported.

Clear communication within teams is essential to mitigate the consequences of these stressors. To avoid overload, it is advisable to prioritize projects and tasks in advance. This can be done by defining acute and less urgent work and by establishing fixed rules for representation. A daily check-in to discuss your workload also helps to reduce your workload.

Tips for managing stress

In addition to clear coordination, it is recommended to openly recognize the achievements of the remaining employees. Flexible working hours and home office options can be encouraged to improve the team atmosphere. Shared lunch breaks and small gifts can also contribute to team dynamics.

Another important aspect is self-care, where employees should also think about their own limits. Mindfulness exercises, walks and a focus on a healthy diet and enough sleep are crucial factors for managing stress.

It is also important to communicate overload openly with the manager. A respectful approach is the key to constructive dialogue to find solutions. Employees should formulate specific concerns and make suggestions for relief.

The role of corporate culture

A crucial element in managing stress in the workplace is company culture. This is shaped by values, norms and beliefs in the team and only has a limited influence on the stress level of employees. A performance-oriented culture can lead to overtime and stress being taken for granted, which increases the pressure on employees. Melbaron points out that prevention measures often fail if the specific framework conditions of the corporate culture are not taken into account.

Managers play a central role in this context as they significantly influence how we interact with each other, decision-making and the appreciation for health and stress management. It is very important that they are involved in stress prevention and work together with their teams to create a healthy corporate culture.

In times of staff shortages, as often occurs during the vacation period, employees should examine their expectations of themselves. Not-to-do lists can help you identify unnecessary tasks and have realistic expectations of your workload. The courage to fail and the avoidance of perfectionism are also important points in the fight against stress.