We’re already deep into one of the busiest times of the year and for many households and family offices, it means juggling entertaining family, friends or colleagues, planning for the new year, balancing budgets or meeting end of year deadlines, and more. Preparing your staff helps operations to keep running smoothly, and it also boosts their morale and strengthens retention.
Most of all, it minimizes the feeling of stress that can creep up in December. Keep reading for tips on how to ensure your domestic staff or family office team are truly ready for the holidays.
Holiday Preparation
Plan schedules in advance.
Encourage your employees to submit holiday time-off requests as soon as they can. This gives you and the rest of your staff a clear understanding of who will be absent and helps you decide whether you need to hire temporary holiday staff, adjust shifts, or assign other staff to assume additional responsibilities for a short time.
If you do end up needing to adjust workload expectations from your other staff, check in with them early enough to confirm priorities and make sure they are okay with the change. Don’t assume and make sure expectations from both parties are understood.
Encourage work-life balance.
Your staff are crucial to the functioning of your home or family office. But they can only be of help if they are taking care of themselves. That’s why it’s important to remind them to take breaks, use their paid time off or vacation benefits, and honor any traditions or personal commitments they have.
When domestic employers model healthy boundaries and demonstrate respect, employees are apt to reciprocate and feel empowered to do the same. This results in increased productivity and ultimately better morale for the long term.
Celebrate.
In a season of many events and activities, it might feel overwhelming to add another thing to your plate. However, celebrating your staff for a job well done this year is a great way to build connection, strengthen the workplace culture, and recognize their achievements.
So, consider hosting a holiday lunch, a team gathering or retreat, or a virtual celebration that thanks your team. Thoughtful and individualized recognition gives each domestic employee a sense of belonging.
Recognize your team with bonuses or other appreciation.
Holiday bonuses are customary for domestic employers to provide for their staff. Whether it’s a gift card or cash, these make employees feel appreciated, valued, and seen.
Additional paid time off is also a common bonus option. Remember, gift cards and cash count as taxable income by the IRS. That means they’ll need to be reported and taxed just like regular wages.
Conduct a review.
Once the holiday season wraps up, it’s a great time to reflect on the upcoming year and provide a review with each staff member. Talk to them in depth about their role, listening closely for honest feedback. This helps you refine your readiness plan as you head into 2026 and opens up conversation so both you and your employees are on the same page.
If you have concerns or other issues you want to address, this is the time to do it. This is also a great time to discuss a raise or upgrade/change in benefits.
Preparing your home or family office for the holidays doesn’t have to be all-consuming. However, it does take intention. By planning, setting clear boundaries and expectations, and prioritizing meaningful connection and recognition, you can cultivate a happy and stress-free season that feels enjoyable for everyone on your team.
A team that feels supported and valued wants to give their best – even during the busiest seasons.
Ready to grow your team of staff in your home or family office?
At Household Staffing, we recognize that your home or family office is busy and requires the expertise and care of professionals you can trust fully. That’s why we work with you to craft a detailed job description and compensation package that ensures you’re getting access to top-notch domestic professionals.
Our team prioritizes helping you cultivate long, happy working relationships with your staff – and that happens from the very beginning of the hiring process.
For more than 30 years, our team has specialized in helping families and family offices build teams that are trustworthy, compatible for your lifestyle, and give you the peace of mind you need. Contact us today or complete our New Hire Form to begin a personalized search.
