Ask an HR Pro: How Do You Keep Employees Engaged in the Summer?

When the days get longer and warmer, and normal routines are disrupted with kids home from school and vacations on the horizon, keeping employees engaged in the summer can be a challenge. Distractions increase while motivation decreases.

The good news? With some planning and creativity, you can use the summer months to build connections, re-energize your teams, and boost morale.

iHire’s HR Business Partner Shaneeza Mohamed, SHRM-SCP, shared her advice with us on how to improve employee engagement in the summer.

What Are Some Creative Summer Employee Engagement Activities?

“First, encourage your team members to use their PTO! Taking vacations and truly unplugging helps your staff stay happy, productive, and engaged at work when they return,” Mohamed began. “Ensure your leaders take PTO as well to model a culture that shows that rest is an important part of performance, and cross-train employees so they feel more willing to take time off.”

When your team members are together, consider planning fun outdoor and indoor summer employee engagement activities.

“Bringing lunch to a local park, hosting a team field day, or organizing a nature walk are all great ideas for getting everyone together outside. A change of scenery promotes casual conversation, stimulates creativity, and lowers stress,” Mohamed said. “You can also bring summer indoors. Surprise employees with an ice cream truck visit or offer cold drinks and refreshments. Announce a tropical-themed dress day where employees can wear Hawaiian shirts or floral dresses.”

Summer is also a great time to organize group volunteering activities, like park cleanups or visits to a senior center. Offer volunteer time off (VTO) as well to further support your team.

“If you’re short on ideas, ask your employees for input!” Mohamed concluded. “SHRM recommends polling employees for their opinions as to what activities would be more aligned with their interests and desires. That way, you’re providing them with options that not only inspire and excite but also enhance their well-being overall.”

How Do You Improve Employee Engagement in the Summer With Remote or Hybrid Teams?

“Companies need to be mindful and remember to maintain connections with their hybrid and remote workers without disrupting their schedules. While it can be harder to find ways to motivate these employees, there are various ways to keep them engaged,” Mohamed said.

When thinking about how to increase employee engagement in the summer, team leaders can post weekly Slack or Teams questions or prompts to encourage interaction. Sharing recognition or digital shout-outs on message boards can also boost morale and foster greater engagement.

“For hybrid teams, consider offering social events that can accommodate varied schedules, such as hosting outdoor activities on days when most employees are working in the office,” continued Mohamed. “Another option is to include remote workers in virtual, low-pressure coworking sessions with a ‘lunch and learn’ where all employees connect on Teams or Slack to learn about each other’s values and interests.”

How Can Leaders Foster a Sense of Purpose and Focus During a Season That Often Feels More Relaxed?

“The key is to communicate clear expectations to employees and allow them the autonomy to fulfill those expectations,” advised Mohamed. “Emphasize shared priorities and deadlines early and encourage employees to plan their workload and schedule time off proactively.”

Keep work on track by using brief check-ins for progress and focusing on results – not hours worked. These strategies help maintain productivity while also empowering employees to keep their flexible schedules and/or use their PTO.

How Can Companies Use Summer as an Opportunity to Boost Team Morale and Collaboration?

Summer is an ideal time to encourage employees to build and foster connections with their coworkers. Again, hosting events like outdoor activities and volunteer days that encourage team gatherings can strengthen teamwork and encourage trust.

“Additionally, businesses that experience slower activity in the summer may want to tackle projects that require different teams to encourage collaboration in a less hectic period. Summer is also a great time for leaders to celebrate mid-year achievements, which can enhance team motivation and reinforce employees’ sense of shared purpose,” Mohamed added.

How to Keep Employees Engaged in the Summer

With the right strategies, you can keep your employees motivated, engaged, and productive during the summer season! Encourage them to unplug and recharge on vacations, plan activities they’ll enjoy, and be creative and flexible when connecting remote and hybrid teams.

Explore our Resource Center for more employee engagement advice, or schedule a free consultation with Shaneeza Mohamed and our team of HR pros to learn how we can provide personalized guidance and support for your unique workplace.