Summer is every kid’s favorite season. The months off from school combined with the warm, sunny weather is a perfect combination for relaxing fun in the sun and all sorts of other seasonal adventures.
For adults, however, summer doesn’t always carry quite the same appeal. Short of having the time off, most professionals instead find themselves stuck in offices in the sometimes-blistering heat. Even for hot-weather buffs, sweating it out during your 9-to-5 isn’t enjoyable. Here are some ways to stay cool – and safe – throughout the summer heat.
Determine your office policy regarding extreme weather
It’s common for managers to establish weather policies regarding attendance during the winter, when snowstorms and ice can create significant safety hazards to coming into the office. However, it’s also important to determine if your office needs a similar policy for the hot season as well.
The Society for Human Resource Management reported on a survey conducted by Staples, which found that more than half of employees who responded indicated the expectation that they were to come into the office, even during extreme weather. What’s more, 30 percent indicated that they didn’t know if there was an on-site safety consultant they could speak to about weather-related safety concerns.
Make accommodationsÂ
Managers can make the best of the potentially uncomfortable weather by making accommodations in the summer where applicable. On particularly hot days, for example, employees should be permitted to telecommute, job permitting. In fact telecommuting is a major and virtually cost-free way for companies to help cut back on sluggish office syndrome.
For those companies whose work requires staff to be on-site, consider making adjustments to the office dress code during the peak of the hot season. Not only will your employees be more comfortable, but it also shows that you care about their wellbeing enough to take their needs and requests into account, which can boost engagement.
Stay connected
Aside from heat waves, hurricanes, fires and other natural disasters can wreak havoc in some areas in the summer. If you live in a part of the country that’s traditionally affected by these factors, maintain regular communication with local and government authorities so you can be alerted of any impending disasters before they happen. This will let you keep your workforce more informed and cut down on any chaos that may result from a major weather event.
Small-business owners are encouraged to turn to PEO companies for more resources and information on how they can use company policy changes to keep employees safe this summer.
