The festive season is often a mixed bag for employers. It’s a time for celebration, reflection, and winding down, but it can also bring challenges around motivation, workload, and staff availability.
For many Maidenhead-based SMEs (and their neighbours across Windsor, Slough and Bracknell), it’s also the final push before year-end targets and holiday closures. Getting employee engagement right at this time of year can make all the difference, not only for productivity, but for retention and team culture too.
Here are a few ways local employers can make the most of the season.
1. Recognise and celebrate success
A genuine “thank you” can go a long way.
Whether it’s a team lunch, an early finish on the last Friday before Christmas, or handwritten cards recognising individual contributions, showing appreciation builds trust and loyalty.
Small gestures really matter; consider supporting local venues for your team celebration, such as a Maidenhead restaurant, Windsor pub or Bracknell bowling night, to keep your spend local while rewarding your staff.
2. Make flexibility your festive gift
The run-up to Christmas is often one of the busiest personal times of the year. Offering flexibility, whether that’s adjusted hours, hybrid working, or a longer lunch to attend a school play, helps employees balance work and home life.
It’s a small accommodation that sends a big message: you trust your people. In return, most teams repay that trust with commitment and effort during busier crunch periods.
3. Keep communication clear
The last few weeks of the year can be hectic. Holiday rotas, project deadlines, client handovers; it all needs coordination.
Being transparent about expectations, workloads, and cover helps to reduce anxiety and prevents resentment building over who’s “left holding the fort”.
A quick weekly update or open check-in is often enough to keep everyone aligned and feeling supported.
4. Encourage connection, not just celebration
Not every team wants a big night out, and not everyone celebrates the Christmas period in the same way.
While the traditional office party has its place, the festive season is also a chance to create more inclusive, meaningful moments that bring people together.
Think about smaller, low-pressure ways to connect:
- Festive breakfasts or team coffee mornings where colleagues can share highlights of the year or shout out to their peers.
- Charity donation drives, where staff can nominate local causes to support — from food banks to community projects.
- Volunteer days: give employees the chance to spend a few hours helping others while bonding as a team.
For Maidenhead employers, this could mean getting involved with community initiatives, some of which can be found here – All About Volunteering in RBWM | RBWM Together, or local charity collections for groups like The Brett Foundation. These activities not only lift spirits but also strengthen your business’s connection with the local community.
Encouraging genuine connection rather than just a single celebration helps employees feel valued as people, not just as part of a workforce. It fosters a sense of belonging that lasts well beyond December.
5. Use the season to set a positive tone for the year ahead
Amid the celebrations, take time to reflect on what’s gone well as well as what could be improved.
Involve your team in setting goals or ideas for 2026. It shows you value their input and gives everyone a sense of ownership in the year to come.
When people feel heard and appreciated, they’re far more likely to stay motivated.A thoughtful approach to the festive period isn’t just about goodwill; it’s a strategic investment in your people.
From recognition and flexibility to communication and community, these small steps can make a lasting impact on morale and retention.
Bucks & Berks works with businesses across Maidenhead, Windsor, Slough and Bracknell to help attract and retain top talent in HR, finance, marketing, admin, operations and sales.
Looking to strengthen your team before the new year? Get in touch with us at Bucks & Berks Recruitment.
