How to Keep Your Team Productive During Summer at the Workplace

25 of July, 2023

Summer is here and the heat is on—literally and figuratively. As an HR manager or business owner, you know summer brings its own challenges to keeping your team motivated and productive in summer at the workplace.

People have vacation on their minds, the warm weather makes it hard to focus, and productivity usually takes a dip. But don’t sweat it.

With some creative strategies, you can keep your team productive and energized even when the temperatures rise. Give your team opportunities to beat the heat in the office, incentives to look forward to, ways to boost collaboration, and reasons to stay engaged with their work.

Summer at the workplace doesn’t have to be the lazy, hazy days of low productivity and lost motivation. Follow these tips and your team will stay cool, calm, and productive all season long, as you can see in your People Analytics. Read on to find out how.

Keep the Office Temperature Cool and Comfortable

Keeping your office at a comfortable temperature will make a huge difference in your team’s productivity during the summer. No one wants to work in a sweltering hot environment, so do your best to keep things cool.

Aim for thermostats set between 72 to 76 degrees Fahrenheit. This range is cool enough to be comfortable yet warm enough that employees aren’t shivering at their desks. You might need to adjust the temperature based on the weather outside and the number of people in the office. More bodies means more heat, so you may need to lower it a degree or two on crowded days.

In addition to cooling the overall office, provide fans for areas that tend to be warmer. Fans create airflow that makes the room feel more pleasant even if the temperature isn’t much lower. Consider portable fans or desk fans that employees can control and direct as needed.

If possible, allow for flexible or summer dress codes so your team can stay comfortable. Encouraging summer attire like shorts, t-shirts, and sandals will make being in the office during warm summer months much more bearable. Of course, attire still needs to be work-appropriate, but relaxing the code will be appreciated.

Keeping your team comfortable with a cool office environment and flexible summer policies will help boost productivity and morale. No one wants to be stuck in an unbearably hot workplace, so do what you can to make the office an enjoyable place to be all summer long. Your team will thank you, and their work will benefit as a result.

Offer Flexible Work Hours and Remote Work Options

Offering flexible work hours and the option to work remotely during the summer is a great way to keep your team productive and happy.

Flexible Start and End Times

Allowing employees to shift their schedules earlier or later can help them avoid the hottest parts of the day during summer. For example, have core hours of 10 AM to 3 PM where everyone is in the office, but allow people to start as early as 7 AM or leave as late as 6 PM. This little bit of flexibility and control over their time will be greatly appreciated.

Remote Work Options

Giving staff the opportunity to work from home part-time can increase productivity and morale. With fewer distractions and a more comfortable environment, many employees find they get more done at home. It also allows them to avoid a long, hot commute on the most sweltering days.

Make remote work a team effort by using collaboration tools like messaging apps, video calling, and file sharing platforms. Be available for any questions and check-in regularly to keep your team connected. Some face to face time is still important, so consider requiring core in-office hours a couple times a week.

With the freedom to adjust their schedules and avoid rush hour traffic, your team will stay focused and motivated all summer long. A little flexibility and trust in your employees can go a long way in keeping productivity and engagement high during the warmer months. After all, there’s nothing quite like working from the comfort of home on a hot summer day!

Organize Team Building Activities to Boost Morale

Summer is a great time to build team morale and strengthen bonds between coworkers. Organizing fun team building activities is a perfect way to boost productivity and motivation during the warm months.

Plan a Summer Potluck

Ask your team to bring in their favorite summer foods to share. From fresh salads and sandwiches to chilled desserts, a potluck is a easy way for people to connect over food. Set up a casual, outdoor seating area if possible so people can enjoy their meals together in a relaxed setting.

Host a Weekly Walking Meeting

Take your one-on-one meetings or brainstorming sessions outside. Walking meetings are a creative way for people to get some exercise while also accomplishing work tasks. Find a scenic walking route near your office and invite your colleagues to join. The change of scenery will reinvigorate the group and stimulate new ideas.

Organize Team Outings

Plan events outside normal work hours to build closer relationships. Some options could be attending a baseball game, going out for drinks at a local bar or hosting a barbecue at a park. Keep things light and casual. While these types of extracurricular activities are not mandatory, they are a great opportunity for team bonding in a low-pressure social setting.

Making an effort to bring your team together during the summer will help combat productivity lulls and keep people motivated. Focus on low-key, engaging activities that allow for meaningful interactions and conversations. Your team will appreciate the chance to connect and will return to work recharged with a boosted morale.

Conclusion

So there you have it, a few tips to keep your team productive and happy during the hot summer months. Make the office environment comfortable, give your team flexibility and freedom, organize fun team events, and keep communication open.

Following these best practices will ensure your team stays engaged and continues achieving goals even when the temptation to slack off is high. Summer at the office doesn’t have to be dull or unmotivating.

With the right mindset and strategy, you can turn up the heat on productivity and turn down the heat on office thermostats. Your team will appreciate your effort in helping them beat the summer slump at workplace.