Keep your teams balanced just as summer approaches

Summer is a time of sunshine, long days and (hopefully) a little peace and quiet. But for many SME business owners, it also brings stress. Will the work continue? Who will be available? And more importantly, how do I keep my people vital, motivated and employable?

Especially now, we see many employers struggling with Sickness Absence. Stress, reduced resilience and a disturbed work-life balance lurk. Taking real rest is then not a luxury, but a necessity.

Why switching off is not an afterthought

Your employees (and yourself) are running at full speed. And fair's fair: we've gotten pretty good at always being on. Just one more email, quick phone call in between. But the brain needs a break to reset. No break? Then the system eventually falters.

Leisure is not an off switch. It is the charger.

A summer without an agenda or planning can work wonders. For example, a colleague recently told me about his vacation in the south of France:

"I was lying on an air mattress in the Cèze River. Little kids laughing around me, adolescent son by the falls. No phone, no schedule, just that moment. My hands in the water. Really switched off. Rest."

THIS experience is what disconnection is about. Back to yourself. Back to peace.

What switching off gives you

• Less stress. Regular relaxation lowers the stress hormone cortisol in your body. You feel better physically and mentally - and that works to prevent Sickness Absence.
• Better mental health. Time off helps your brain recover. Workers who actually take vacations are more emotionally stable and resilient.
• More energy and creativity. Just getting away from it all gives room for new ideas. Employees who return rested often perform better.

Employers: here's what you can do now

✔️ Keep up the conversation

Make work pressure, home situations and expectations negotiable. Many employees want to be loyal and do not say "no" easily. But it is indeed loyal to raise the alarm in time.

✔️ Give space, give confidence

Sometimes a person needs to switch off during the day , and catch up at night. Trust your people. That space often works to relieve stress.

✔️ Recognize the signs

Irritability, withdrawal, emails with a different tone ... small signs can indicate overload. Don't wait until after summer; act now.

How do you really recharge this summer?

Use this summer to recharge your battery. Here are some simple tips:

🔸 S chedule unscheduled time. Leave a few days open with no to-do's or appointments.
🔸 Connect with nature. In the woods or by the sea, your brain comes to rest.
🔸 Digital detox. For a while without a screen. Being truly present in the moment.
🔸 Do what you enjoy. Reading, hiking, surfing, or just loafing.

And above all, be gentle with yourself as well as with each other.

Don't let this summer become the breaking point

Mariëlle Visser, corporate social worker at Gimd, puts it aptly:

"Engage with them and listen to the challenges they face. Often employees in SMEs are engaged and loyal. Do they continue to work at the end of the day or on breaks, especially now with working from home.

At the same time, during these times they may have to keep other balls in the air privately in addition to work. Perhaps they are caretakers for a family member, friend or neighbor. To prevent employees from becoming overtired, losing their resilience and therefore calling in sick, it is good to make arrangements with each other."

Need help with signals or work-life balance?

At ZekerArbo , we like to think along with you. We have employability coaches, company social workers and other experts to help keep your team healthy and energetic - even towards summer.

Call us at 088 - 277 44 44
Or emailzekerarbo

Enjoy your summer ☀️

Whether you go on vacation or just stay home: take time for yourself, your people and your environment. Let this summer be a time of true relaxation, connection and recovery.

To be sure: it will pay for itself twice over later.