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How Yule Want to Close the Office for a Week Off
A pre-holiday checklist for your workplace.
Table of Contents
Your business is probably closing up shop for the week between Christmas and New Year’s, but simply telling employees to set up OOO messages isn’t enough. To fully relax and recharge over the holidays, let’s make a list and check it twice.
Communicate your plan
Your staff already knows that they will be off, but consider informing your vendors, suppliers, and partners, too. You can also add a temporary pop-up or banner to your website; mention it in holiday greeting posts on your social media channels; and change your company’s outgoing voicemail greeting.
Secure your systems and location
Before everyone leaves, make sure to complete critical IT system updates. Often ignored, cyberthreats increase during the holidays because criminals know that companies operate with reduced staff.
“This preventive measure protects confidential data …something that many companies may overlook in the rush to get ready for the festivities,” says Wayne Mills, head of U.K. and Ireland operations at Seven Seas Worldwide Group.
Also, ensure that physical equipment and inventory are secure with locks and alarms. You might also want to notify your building’s facility managers that you and your team will be away for the week. Unplug non-essential devices to reduce electrical risks (plus, it’ll save on energy costs).
Tie up year-end financials and maintenance
Make sure that all financial tasks — such as year-end payroll and expense approvals — are completed before the closure. While you’re at it, pay bills and finalize any necessary financial reports.
Additionally, use this downtime for office maintenance tasks like “deep cleaning and necessary repairs, enhancing your workspace’s efficiency and safety,” suggests Alexander Havkin, regional sales and project manager for Ecoline Windows. It’ll be less disruptive while everybody’s out.
Keep customers in the loop
Does your company handle a lot of customer service inquiries during this time? Consider maintaining a skeleton crew to address urgent issues; you might need to pay a time-and-a-half holiday rate, but it’ll save customers a lot of frustration.
“If you present yourself as their knight in shining armor during a time when everything else is shut, you will not only succeed in winning their trust but also gain a loyal consumer base for a lifetime to come,” says Ozzi Jarvinen, founder of remote talent provider Iglu.
Plan for reopening
Just as you have a plan for closing, prepare for returning. Schedule meetings now to get everyone back on track in the new year. Designate an office manager or someone else to come in early on Jan. 2 (those nonessential devices need to be plugged back in). And don’t forget to take down all the decorations.
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