Managing employee leave during the 2024 holiday season: Tips for entrepreneurs and HR managers

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The final months of the year bring numerous national and religious holidays, such as Christmas or Saint Andrew's Day, but they also come with logistical challenges for HR managers and business owners. During this time, employees often request time off, and companies must find effective solutions to keep operations running smoothly. This article offers tips on how to transparently manage employee leave, help staff plan their vacations, and avoid overlaps or critical understaffing periods.

1. National and religious holidays in the last months of 2024

Romania has a rich calendar of national and religious holidays that impact many companies' operations. To plan leave effectively, it's essential to know these holidays and integrate them into your team’s schedule.

• October 14 – Saint Paraskeva: This holiday is significant, especially for those attending the annual pilgrimage in Iași at the Metropolitan Cathedral.
• October 26 – Saint Demetrius: A major holiday in many regions, with important local traditions.
• November 30 – Saint Andrew: Considered the patron saint of Romania, this national holiday offers an excellent opportunity for employees to plan an extended weekend.
• December 1 – Romania’s National Day: A significant national holiday that provides another chance for employees to take time off.
• December 25-26 – Christmas: A key holiday for most employees, as they spend time with family.

For a complete list of holidays in Romania in 2024, you can consult specialized websites such as crestinortodox.ro.

2. The importance of early leave planning

Why it matters for managers:
Planning leave in advance is crucial to avoid disruptions in your company’s operations. Without a clear leave management strategy, businesses risk situations where entire teams are absent simultaneously, severely impacting projects and productivity.

How it affects HR managers and business owners:

• Avoid overlaps: Without a clear planning system, multiple employees may take time off at the same time, leaving the company understaffed. For example, if 30% of your team is on leave simultaneously, it could be challenging to meet daily demands.
• Delayed approvals: A lack of an automated process can cause delays in leave approvals, frustrating employees. Those waiting too long for a response might have to cancel their plans, impacting morale.

Solution:
Transparent leave calendars, like those in the Growee app, help evenly distribute absences and ensure enough staff is available at all times to keep operations running smoothly.

3. Tips for employees planning holiday leave

Maximizing public holidays for extended vacations:
Public holidays in November and December provide excellent opportunities to plan vacations. For instance:

• Saint Andrew and National Day (November 30 and December 1): By taking November 29 and December 2 off, employees can create a four-day mini vacation from Thursday to Sunday.
• Christmas (December 25-26): Combine Christmas days with additional leave to enjoy an extended break through New Year’s Eve.

Using tools like the Growee calendar, employees can easily identify public holidays and plan their leave effectively.

Religious pilgrimages:
For those wanting to include religious events or pilgrimages in their leave plans, holidays like Saint Paraskeva (October 14) offer ideal opportunities. Planning time off around such dates and booking accommodations early can ensure a smooth and fulfilling experience.

4. Tips for managers to manage leave transparently

Managing multiple leave requests for the same period:
One of the biggest challenges for HR managers is handling overlapping leave requests during holidays like Christmas or National Day.

Proposed solutions:

• Rotation system: Implement a rotation policy, ensuring every employee has the chance to take time off during holidays without disrupting business operations.
• Set clear priorities: Announce critical business periods early and define clear leave approval criteria. For example, prioritize employees who worked during previous holidays or those who submitted their requests early.

5. Creating a balanced plan for your company

Balancing business needs with employee expectations:
To maintain a balance between business operations and employee satisfaction, it’s essential to plan early and remain flexible when possible. Employees value companies that encourage a healthy work-life balance, and accommodating holiday leave requests can boost morale and retention.

How to achieve this:

• Offer alternatives: If an employee can’t take leave during their desired period, consider offering additional time off at another time of year or flexible work hours.
• Backup teams: During busy periods, create a backup team to handle essential tasks while other employees are on leave.

For more details about Growee's leave management functionality, check out this explanatory video: How to request or approve leave in Growee.

Conclusion
The holidays in the final months of the year offer employees a chance to relax and spend time with their families. However, for HR managers and business owners, this period can pose challenges in maintaining smooth operations. The key to effectively managing this time is planning early, communicating transparently with your team, and using technology solutions like Growee to simplify leave management.