Power & Polish with O.P.I

Elevate your business & embrace new techniques with advice from the award-winning OPI UK&I education team

LORETTA WALKER OPI educator & owner of The Nail & Beauty Lounge, Stourbridge @l.o.r.e.t.t.a.walker

The Nail & Beauty Lounge team.

HOW TO PREVENT EMPLOYEE BURNOUT DURING THE FESTIVE SEASON

The festive period, while a joyous time for many, can be stressful for those working in the nail and beauty industry. Increased demand, extended hours and heightened expectations can lead to burnout if proactive measures aren’t taken to support staff. At The Nail & Beauty Lounge, we believe that the key to maintaining productivity and ensuring a positive work environment during this rush is to focus on the wellbeing of employees. Here are some practices we follow that have been highly effective in preventing burnout:

Healthy snacks

One small but impactful change we’ve made is providing fresh fruit in the staff kitchen. This might seem like a minor gesture, but it plays a significant role in keeping energy levels high and supporting general wellbeing. When staff have access to healthy snacks, they’re more likely to opt for these nutritious options, instead of sugary treats that may cause energy crashes later in the day. This is a simple and affordable strategy to show your team that you care about their health, while promoting eating habits that help them stay sharp.

Incentives & rewards

Offering small incentives for the extra efforts made during the festive season can boost morale.

Rewards could range from gift vouchers, additional time off after the festive rush or small bonuses, to thank employees for their dedication during such a demanding time. You could also offer team or individual performance-based incentives, to motivate employees while acknowledging their hard work.

Flexible working hours

Flexibility is key to reducing stress during the festive period. For employees with family commitments or other personal priorities, allowing them to swap shifts, start earlier or leave a little later, when necessary and where feasible, can help them to better manage their work-life balances. This shows that you value their personal time, which can reduce stress and increase job satisfaction.

“When managing staff during the festive season, it’s crucial to foster a supportive environment where employees can rely on one another.”

Regular breaks

During busy times, it’s easy to fall into the trap of working non-stop. But this approach often leads to diminishing returns, as tired, stressed-out staff members are more likely to make mistakes and are less productive. To combat this, The Nail & Beauty Lounge has implemented more breaks between appointments. These short intervals allow employees to step away from their stations to stretch and refresh themselves, and the psychological boost is evident: staff feel valued and appreciated, which boosts morale and maintains their focus.

Staggered opening & closing shifts

Extended hours during the festive season often lead to employees working beyond their typical schedules. To address this without overburdening staff, we’ve introduced a staggered system for opening and closing shifts. For example, if two employees work a closing shift, they are given the opportunity to start later the next day. This not only prevents them from overexerting themselves, but ensures that they are well-rested and able to provide high-quality services the following day.

Scratch Stars Nail & Beauty Salon of the Year 2024, Nailspa in Huddersfield, decked out for Christmas.

“During busy times, it’s easy to fall into the trap of working non-stop. But this approach often leads to diminishing returns, as tired, stressed-out staff make mistakes and are less productive.”

Team building activities

Towards the end of the Christmas rush, The Nail & Beauty Lounge team schedules a time to enjoy pizza and prosecco together. This gathering celebrates the team’s hard work and gives staff members a chance to catch up. We also organise a secret Santa gift exchange. These moments break up the busy routine, relieve stress and build camaraderie, making the workplace a more enjoyable setting during a high-pressure period.

A supportive & collaborative environment

When managing staff during the festive season, it’s crucial to foster a supportive environment where employees can rely on one another. Teamwork is vital in maintaining morale, especially during stressful periods. Encouraging collaboration and ensuring that staff know they can ask for help prevents feelings of overwhelm and appointments running over. It’s also important to maintain open communication, by keeping staff informed about each day’s schedule, any special promotions and upcoming events. This helps them feel prepared and reduces stress caused by last-minute surprises.

Celebrating efforts & wins

Don’t underestimate the power of positive reinforcement. During the festive rush, it’s easy for employees to feel that their hard work goes unnoticed. Managers should make a conscious effort to recognise the extra efforts of staff, whether it’s through a simple ‘thank you,’ a staff shout-out in a team meeting or an end of week celebration. Creating a culture where achievements are acknowledged helps employees feel motivated and valued.

A note from Belinda Price, OPI UK’s education & capability manager & owner of Nailspa, Scratch Stars Nail & Beauty Salon of the Year 2024

You can never overvalue your team, and Loretta offers great advice. Sometimes, we can prepare for the festive rush further in advance with the right training. For example, can you tweak or troubleshoot any services to make the working day easier?

I’d also ask your team what you can do to alleviate any pressure they may feel. You could host a planning session and take their feedback into account. It can be surprising what small changes you can implement to make busy times less challenging, such as buying a roll of pre-cut foil or extra sets of tools, so disinfecting is less of a rush.

Solo workers also need to look after themselves. Ask yourself: what are your peeve points? What was difficult last year, and how can you reduce these challenges this year? For example, if it was no-shows, put a clear deposit and cancellation policy in place. Changes could be as simple as buying an extra top for work, so you aren’t rushing to wash your uniform. Take regular breaks, walk at lunchtime if possible, and ensure you can join family and friends at events by telling them you need to know dates early.

Managing staff during the festive season is a challenge, but it’s one that can be positively handled with the right strategies. When employees feel cared for, they are more likely to remain engaged, motivated and productive, leading to better client experiences and a more successful Christmas period.