5 Top HR tips for summer in the workplace

Although it may be hard to believe, summer is theoretically upon us. With warm weather come certain workplace challenges, but I remain optimistic that sunny days will return soon. As an HR consultant, I want to share my top five tips for managing and supporting your team during the summer.

Clothing

Balancing work and enjoyment when the sun comes out can be challenging, so it’s important to consider what is appropriate.

Understandably, your employees will want to remain cool and comfortable in the heat. However, this doesn’t mean workplace dress codes should be disregarded. Whether your workplace has a formal or informal dress code, there are still standards and expectations to uphold. It is reasonable to relax some rules to ensure comfort, such as removing the requirement for ties and suit jackets in formal settings. However, in both formal and informal settings, the heat does not justify inappropriate attire, such as:

• Vests and tank tops
• Short skirts
• Sports wear
• Beach wear

Establishing standards and expectations from the outset is crucial. Setting these guidelines early helps prevent any discomfort or awkwardness regarding personal or colleagues’ attire.

PPE

Safety is paramount regardless of the weather. However, during warm weather, you may encounter resistance to wearing PPE, as the prospect of donning a high-visibility jacket or steel-toe-capped boots in 28-degree heat is understandably unappealing.

Be empathetic with your team in these situations and explore ways to support and alleviate their discomfort. While it is crucial to maintain standards and ensure PPE is worn, consider options like lighter-weight PPE clothing that is more suitable for warm weather. This way, you can ensure your team remains as comfortable as possible without compromising safety.

Also, keep in mind the risk of people overheating if they are wearing heavy duty PPE.

Last minute holiday requests

No amount of planning can prevent last-minute requests for holidays or occasional days off. Generally, this is acceptable; however, it’s important for everyone to understand that during busy times of the year, such as summer, leave requests may not always be approved.

All requests should be considered on their own merit. If a request cannot be approved, you should be able to explain why and, where possible, suggest an alternative. Be consistent in your approach and always emphasise that holidays, especially those abroad, should not be booked without prior approval.

If leave cannot be approved, please be aware that the company does not accept liability for any lost deposits or related expenses.

Office summer parties

We can all agree that nice weather adds to the enjoyment of any event, and organising a summer party or outing is a fantastic way for the team to relax and socialise outside the office. However, it’s important to maintain balance. Even though the event takes place outside the workplace, employees are still representing the company, so it’s crucial to set clear expectations from the outset. Remind everyone of what is unacceptable, such as:

• Excessive drinking
• Inappropriate work relationships
• Misuse of social media
• Fighting
• Inappropriate or derogatory comments and language

That said, encourage everyone to focus on what is completely acceptable: having a great time!

Increased sick days

Unfortunately, we sometimes see employees taking Mondays, Fridays, or the hottest days of the year off, often coinciding with increased sickness absence. If you suspect these absences might not be genuine, it’s important to monitor them closely, identify any patterns, and conduct return-to-work interviews to gather facts and probe further if needed. If employees are active on social media and you are connected with them, keep an eye on their activity for any signs that their sickness might not be entirely genuine.

I hope these tips help you stay cool, calm, and collected throughout the summer. Here’s to hoping for plenty of sunshine!