Summer Working Tips: Sunscreen For Your Employees

Summer is nearly upon us but let’s face it – no one wants to be sat at a desk all day when it’s hot and sunny outside – especially in the UK where it rains on average 106.5 days a year.

An article from the New Yorker published:

‘A 2008 study using data from the American Time Use Survey found that, on rainy days, men spent, on average, thirty more minutes at work than they did on comparatively sunny days. In 2012, a group of researchers from Harvard University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill conducted a field study of Japanese bank workers and found a similar pattern: bad weather made workers more productive, as measured by the time it took them to complete assigned tasks in a loan-application process.’

Luckily for us in the UK it means that our productiveness is probably higher on average per year than those who work in the sunnier corners of the earth (although this is arguable for other reasons) – however, we all want motivated teams at all times so how do you keep your team motivated when it is hot and sunny outside?

Seasonal perks can often help keep motivation high, and although these tips are for people working from the office, you can encourage people working from home to do these too.

Seasonal dress code

Unless your customer facing or attending important meetings all day, there is no need to wear overly formal, stiff or heavy clothes in the office. Be more lenient in the summer when it comes to clothing – this way, people are comfortable and don’t have to run home and get changed when they finish work to do outside activities. Those working from home will likely be in shorts and t-shirts, so don’t punish people who choose to come into the office.

After work team outings

Drinks and team meals are a great way to boost team morale, and when it’s sunny outside, it makes it easier to get everyone together. Brief lunches every now and again will refresh people and get them outside for a while or try finishing half an hour early and have a BBQ. If you are lucky enough to work on the coast – get down to the beach for an hour after work!

Flexible working

It’s a shame to miss all the sunshine if you have long working hours. Making working hours flexible allows people more time to enjoy summer during the week – they can then make these hours up when its grey outside. Having a great balance will increase their motivation in the long run.

Ice creams

Treat your employees to little perks like ice creams when it’s hot. It’s the little things that count, and people will thank you for it. Treat those working from home, too, by sending vouchers.

Work outdoors

Outdoor space is highly underrated when it comes to the workplace. Allowing your employees to work outdoors for even a few hours can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve immune function – just be careful of those with hay fever during the summer months and, in the immortal words of the great Baz Luhrmann, “WEAR SUNSCREEN”