Let’s face it: the last few weeks of the year can be a bit of a rollercoaster. With deadlines looming and holiday excitement in the air, it’s easy for energy levels to dip. But don’t forget — it’s also a crucial time of the year for retention. Many employees start having ‘wandering eyes’ around this time, thinking about their next career move, what they’ve achieved (or not achieved!) this year, and whether they’d advance more at another company. So what can you do to make sure they stick around?
A little sprinkle of recognition goes a long way
It feels good to be appreciated, doesn’t it? Research shows that feeling valued is a huge motivator in the workplace. When employees receive genuine recognition, they’re four times more likely to be engaged and 73% less likely to burn out.
So, how can you sprinkle a little appreciation magic this Christmas? Think public shout-outs during team meetings, fun end-of-year celebrations that highlight everyone’s hard work and performance-based incentives. These aren’t just nice gestures; they’re powerful tools that keep your team feeling seen and valued.
When you’re conducting end-of-year reviews as a leader, it’s tempting to launch into everything you personally want done in 2025, or everything you felt went wrong in 2024. Remember though that this is an excellent opportunity to show your employees your gratitude and appreciation for all the hard work they’ve put into this year. The more you can leverage this opportunity to create recognition, the likelier your employees will value working in your team.
Now’s the time to invest in their 2025 career growth
It’s easy to neglect things like training programmes and your employees’ career goals, especially at this time of the year as things are winding down. But arguably there was never a better time to invest in career growth – or at least, plan for ways of improving their skills for 2025. Employees who feel supported in their growth are twice as likely to recommend their managers and stick around for the long haul, definitely a win-win.
What seminars and training programmes can you send your employees to next year? How can you connect your more junior employees with senior leaders for mentoring opportunities? Have you got a dedicated budget for supporting their career goals, and a clear roadmap of milestones for 2025? It may appear too early to think about these things, but trust me – the more prepared you are now, the less likely your employees will consider jumping ship in the new year.
The gift of flexibility this Christmas season
With Black Friday, Christmas and Boxing Day around the corner this can be the busy season, especially if you’re in retail or marketing. Stress levels can skyrocket, so consider offering flexible hours and remote working options, or simply encouraging everyone to unplug after hours. As a leader it’s your job to lead by example – so when 5.30pm or 6pm arrives, have you stopped emailing your team?
Flexibility isn’t just about working less, it’s about working smarter. Trust your team to manage their time effectively, and you’ll create a culture of respect and understanding that keeps everyone happy.
You can absolutely maintain high levels of communication while working remotely through Slack, video calls and emails. Schedule in regular check-ins and honest discussions about priorities to keep everyone aligned and focused.
At the end of the day, retention isn’t just about big gestures — it’s about consistent actions that show your team they matter. As we head into these final weeks of the year, remember that every interaction is an opportunity to reinforce why your best employees should stick around.
Need help with your retention? Drop us a line via hello@thehrhub.co.uk or give us a call on 0203 951 1208.
If you don’t want to speak to anyone but would like to learn more, read my book The MAGIC of HR.
