The festive season can be really hectic for employees, as they are burdened with additional responsibilities at their workplace during this season. Moreover, they have to plan for their year-end outing and buy gifts and presents for friends and relatives, particularly during Christmas and New Year.

During a festive season, unfinished work that has piled up throughout the year has to be completed, so work pressure is more. Again, workers in the retail sector also face tremendous work pressure, as people shop more than usual during festive occasions, and so there are more customers to attend.

Worries over money and job security are more prominent during the festive period. Last minute shopping can be very stressful, particularly when there is the fear of losing jobs.

Besides, parents with young children are burdened with the additional concern of childcare. Appointing a babysitter or putting the child in a prep school are equally important tasks that parents cannot afford to ignore.

The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has therefore urged employers to be more mindful of seasonal stress during such festive periods. Employers should take positive action to reduce stress of workers during this festive season, urged IOSH’s president John Holden. Too much of workload during the season can push workers off the edge and can result in people coming down with stress.

Besides, festive seasons are expected to be more stressful now than ever before due to recession. Holden said in this regard that bosses should focus more on stress management during this time of the year, so that employees can beat the recession blues and begin their new year with new resolutions and optimism.

Workplace Law offer IOSH Training and all the advice and information needed for managers to successfully manage appropriate policies and procedures and improve upon management skills to help tackle stress in the workplace.