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The New Holiday Rules at Work

The holiday season is in full swing, and the “most wonderful time of the year” is also known for being the busiest and most stressful. In fact, 88% of Americans* feel stressed during the holiday season due to balancing holiday commitments at both home and work. 

So, here’s the good news: the world of work is changing, and the lines between our professional and personal lives are blurred as professionals today receive more work-life flexibility and balance than ever before. But how does this help our busy holiday schedules? The days of faking a lunch meeting to go holiday shopping or giving up a Saturday night for your company party are over. How to navigate work during the holiday season is changing, so here’s what you can do to make the holidays work best for you.

Holiday Shuffle: Sneak Less, Ask More 

Sneaking in personal tasks during the workday is nothing new, with more than half of professionals tackling their holiday to-do lists (writing out holiday cards, shopping online, or mapping out a holiday menu) at work. Taking a day off during the holidays or working from home occasionally can make a real difference in getting through your to-do list. And since nearly 80% of professionals have never had a holiday request declined, don’t hesitate to ASK, ASK, ASK, and set yourself up for holiday success. 

Saturday Night Holiday Party No More: It’s Shifting Toward Work Hours

While the company holiday party is a great opportunity to have fun with your colleagues, professionals can feel overextended by the amount of office holiday celebrations -- over half have more than one work party to attend, and only 25% even want to go to the big work party. And the days of black tie events on the Saturday before Christmas are over as more companies are hosting casual events during work hours or giving employees time to give back to the local community. Whether you’re planning a holiday party for your team or attending one, lean into what we know professionals want and schedule festivities during the workday.

It’s OK to Disconnect (Really!) 

The holidays can be the perfect time to unplug and recharge. Yet, many professionals (53%) are checking in at work several times a day during the holiday break. While some use an out-of-office message, many say that it doesn’t help them truly disconnect. The solution? If you’re on vacation, work with your team to ensure at least one of you is on call when everyone’s out of the office. That way, when you have the green light to unplug, you really can. Start by crafting an OOO response that is clear about your accessibility, and stick to your own rules. If you must check in, set up a dedicated time each day and don’t veer from your schedule. 

Today’s workplace environment is certainly making it easier for balance and flexibility during the holidays. So if you find you’re not getting enough work-life balance from your current employer, the new year is right around the corner and a great time to look for a job. You’ll find a breadth of jobs -- and the right one for you -- on LinkedIn. 

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Methodology: Censuswide conducted the survey for LinkedIn from November 22-28, 2019, among 2,000 working professionals in the U.S. 

*88% of Americans feel stressed when celebrating the holidays (One Poll, December 2018)