Festive season burnout at workplace: Do’s and Don’ts, signs to look out for

E-commerce platforms and the hospitality sector are gearing up for extended hours, round-the-clock service and escalating stress. (Photo: Christian Erfurt via Unsplash)

While there have been numerous studies around holiday season burnout in the American and British context which usually coincides with Christmas and New Year’s Eve rush, the conversation seems to be in its nascent stages when it comes to the Indian workplace. With Navaratri and Diwali around the corner, e-commerce platforms are gearing up for flash sales — hiring extensive support staff to keep operations running round-the-clock, in addition to setting up war rooms to monitor the sales. Those in the hospitality industry, too, are bracing themselves for longer working hours and high-stress environments. According to a 2021 study, over 35 per cent American employees are already burnt out before Christmas.

A similar study conducted in India in 2022 showed that four out of 10 employees working in India Inc are either depressed, stressed or suffering from anxiety. What are some of the common signs of festive-season burnout one should look out for? How can one manage festive-season stress at the workplace effectively? We spoke to leading HR heads from around the country to know how they keep stress at bay.

Less rangolis, more wellness leaves

“No amount of rangoli displays or ethnic wear days can ever compensate for the massive burnout that employees face during festive season,” says Abhimanyu Kumar, chief HR officer at management consulting firm Flipcarbon. “More than usual errors in tasks, unexplained sick leaves, temper tantrums and blame games across the floor are some of the many signs of a burnout,” he adds. Kumar feels that when it comes to festive season offs, pre-planning is ‘everything’. “An organised approach and a pinch of empathy can make the season a true celebration for all,” says the HR expert.

Diverse hiring to the rescue

Jyothi Menon, country head of human resources at financial services company UBS, feels that much of the stress around Diwali is caused by the urgency to complete the additional work in advance, which allows the employee to take a leave on the festive occasion. “This is where diversity offers an advantage,” Menon argues. “If the workforce includes teams from diverse backgrounds, regions and beliefs, it's simpler to have someone cover for an individual during certain festivities and vice-versa,” she says. Menon feels it is equally important however for employees to manage the requirements and delivery dates around these occasions effectively.

Customer service woes

Given the nature of the business, customer support is essential for Healthcube. Manpreet Oberoi, vice-president, growth, at Healthcube, a Bengaluru-based medical equipment manufacturer, says, “Customer service is the backbone of every business, especially during the festive season. A single dissatisfied client may leave a damaging message that can impact the business.” The HR expert feels that besides planning ahead, it is equally important to make sure the staff is not on “eggshells while going into the holidays.” For this, he suggests holiday celebrations at the workplace and bolstering the spirit of employees in these times that will ensure their mental and physical well-being.

Prioritising rest and respecting boundaries

HR heads also feel that while having a flexible work environment is essential for any workplace, this flexibility should not spill over into employee’s non-office hours. Colonel Gaurav Dimri, HR Director at Sharda Group stresses on the importance of establishing boundaries with work. “Ensuring no emails or work-related phone calls after the office hours will definitely help reduce the festive season stress,” he argues. Dimri also feels that in addition to planning work schedules and offs, it is essential for managers to communicate their expectations to their employees well in advance so there are no last-minute surprises.

Manpreet Hill, group HR, head at Telangana-based software company TelioLabs, advocates for a work culture that values and prioritises rest while also recognising its significance. Hill feels that recharging and rejuvenation will improve an employee’s performance and workplace productivity.

Is the hospitality industry worst hit?

In the world of hospitality, Ankit Dangi, HR head at the Gurugram-based amusement park SMAAASH, says, “employees work tirelessly to ensure unforgettable experiences.” Dangi feels that the demands of the guests can sometimes take a toll on the hospitality industry employees who are away from their families and celebrations and, perhaps, a little homesick too.

Ankit uses a dual strategy to combat festive season burnout: first, he uses proactive shift management where each employee gets time off and second — he invites families of his employees to celebrate the festive season at the workplace in a staggered manner. “It is a win-win strategy that ensures employees get to spend time with their families and also deliver top-notch experiences for the guests.”

IT industry reels under pressure

Much like the hospitality industry, IT industry employees too, experience physical and mental fatigue around the festive season, especially since many of their clients are US-based. It therefore becomes even more important for those living away from their families to take time off work on a regular basis.

Suva Prasad Nanduri, CEO at Diensten Tech Limited (an IT staffing organisation), recommends a strict “no email post-work time policy”. “Stringent planning and execution plans for meeting deadlines and if required, keeping a project charter for work management helps keep burnout at bay,” Nanduri says.