Boosting Employee Morale Before the Holidays: Engagement Ideas That Work

The end-of-year stretch carries a unique energy. Workloads shift, schedules tighten, and emotions run a little closer to the surface. For healthcare practices—where the pace rarely eases—this period offers a real opportunity to strengthen employee morale and reinforce the employee experience. Thoughtful support now can make the season lighter for your team and build engagement that carries well into the new year.

Why holiday timing matters for engagement

The pressures of the season are well documented. One survey found that 41% of employees experience a drop in productivity and 44% feel more stressed during the holidays. Another study highlights that non-monetary rewards such as flexibility or extra time off have a particularly strong impact on morale this time of year.

For healthcare teams already operating in high-intensity environments, this makes proactive attention to employee engagement essential—not optional.

Engagement ideas that actually make an impact

1. Recognition that feels personal

Recognition matters, but only when it feels authentic. A generic “thank you” blends into the noise of the season. What resonates is clear, specific acknowledgment of someone’s efforts or impact.

You might:

• Share how a staff member helped reduce patient anxiety
• Call out wins during morning huddles
• Offer handwritten cards with specific praise
• Highlight team accomplishments at month’s end

This approach works because research shows appreciation is significantly more meaningful when tied to a specific action rather than vague praise.

2. Add flexibility where possible

Even small adjustments in scheduling can lift employee morale during a time filled with competing demands. Consider:

• Compressed schedules
• Staggered shifts
• Clear time-off processes
• Remote-friendly tasks where appropriate

Flexibility demonstrates trust, which is one of the strongest drivers of employee engagement.

3. Create inclusive moments of connection

Not everyone experiences the holidays the same way. Thoughtful, inclusive moments can foster belonging without forcing participation or overwhelming your team.

Options include:

• A no-pressure gratitude breakfast
• A volunteer or donation event that lets the team support the community
• A lighthearted contest involving remote or off-site staff
• A digital “wall of thanks” where teammates can recognize each other

Connection doesn’t need to be elaborate—it needs to feel genuine.

4. Set a meaningful but achievable end-of-year goal

Giving your team something attainable to rally around brings purpose to the final weeks of the year. It might be improving a workflow, reducing a frequent bottleneck, or elevating a patient experience metric.

This works because studies show clear, short-term goals during the holiday period can sustain morale and even boost productivity

5. Communicate clearly (and follow through)

Clarity reduces stress. When schedules, expectations, and commitments are communicated early and consistently, people feel grounded and supported. Following through—especially on schedule changes, recognition promises, or time-off arrangements—is crucial for maintaining trust and strengthening the overall employee experience.

Why this matters for healthcare practices

Employee morale influences everything: patient communication, clinical accuracy, teamwork, and your practice’s reputation. When engagement is strong, teams are more resilient, turnover is reduced, and patient interactions improve. A supported team provides better care—making this season one of the most strategic times to invest in both employee engagement and experience.

Swell Can Help

Swell helps healthcare organizations strengthen their culture through integrated employee engagement insights, streamlined patient experience surveys, and modern online reputation tools—all in one platform. If you’re ready to improve engagement, elevate morale, and support your team during the holidays and beyond, we’re here to help

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