Take the stress out of the holidays by supporting your team with simple, impactful wellbeing practices.
For many Canadians, the holidays are a time of celebration, connection and rest. But for employees, especially those working in small businesses, the season can feel like a juggling act. Year-end deadlines pile up. Family responsibilities spike. Expectations clash across cultures and communities. On top of that, economic uncertainty can turn December into one long pressure cooker.
“The holidays can be overwhelming for teams, especially in small businesses,” said Kevin Kliman, President of Canadian Business at Employment Hero. “When employers lead with empathy and clarity, they build workplaces where people feel supported, not stretched thin. That’s when teams deliver their best.”
For employers, supporting wellbeing isn’t just the nice thing to do. It’s good business. Teams that feel grounded and supported show up with more focus, more energy and more commitment when it counts most. And during the busiest season of the year, that edge matters.
Here are five practical, culturally inclusive ways Canadian employers can protect and uplift their teams during the holidays.
1. Recognize Canada’s Cultural and Religious Diversity
Canada has one of the most multicultural workforces in the world. Not everyone celebrates the holidays in the same way or on the same days. Some mark Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa. Others honour Diwali or the Lunar New Year. Some don’t celebrate at all.
Creating an inclusive workplace starts with acknowledging the full spectrum of traditions your team brings.
Employers can:
- Avoid assuming everyone celebrates Christmas
- Offer flexible days off or swaps for cultural or religious holidays
- Use inclusive language in communications and workplace decorations
- Make holiday events optional, not mandatory
These simple shifts show respect and ensure every employee feels seen rather than sidelined during a season often dominated by Western traditions.
2. Encourage Time Off and Meaningful Rest
December brings a lot of invisible load. Childcare challenges, travel, family commitments and financial pressure stack up fast. Encouraging real downtime is one of the most impactful ways to support wellbeing.
Consider:
- Offering half days or early finishes during slower periods
- Encouraging employees to fully disconnect while on leave
- Setting a clear holiday schedule so no one feels obligated to stay online
Rested teams return sharper, more energized and far better equipped to support customers and colleagues when business ramps up in the new year.
3. Provide Access to Mental Health Resources
The holidays can be heavy. Anxiety, loneliness and financial stress all climb during this time, and many employees feel they need to hide it. You can change that.
Canadian employers can support mental health by:
- Promoting counselling or EAP services already available
- Sharing resources from trusted Canadian mental health organizations
- Offering quiet spaces, flexible WFH days or wellness breaks
- Training leaders to spot early signs of burnout
Normalizing conversations about mental health removes the stigma and helps employees feel safe asking for what they need.
4. Set Realistic Workloads and Expectations
Many small businesses race to hit year-end targets, especially in retail, hospitality and service industries. But pushing at full throttle without guardrails is a straight line to burnout.
Employers should:
- Prioritize what genuinely matters and postpone the rest
- Communicate expectations early and clearly
- Avoid last-minute “fire drills” and urgent requests
- Balance overtime commitments fairly and compensate appropriately
When expectations are clear, stress drops and morale rises.
5. Create Low-Cost, High-Impact Moments of Appreciation
Great recognition doesn’t require a big budget. Sincerity travels further than swag every time.
Consider:
- Personalized thank you notes from leaders
- A virtual or in-person team toast
- Public recognition of wins and effort
- Small gestures like treats, hot chocolate days or team breakfasts
- Celebrating collective achievements from the year
“You don’t need a big budget to make people feel valued,” Kliman explains. “Small moments of appreciation can transform how employees experience the busiest time of the year. The impact on morale is huge.”
These moments strengthen connection, trust and belonging. And belonging is one of the strongest drivers of wellbeing in any workplace.
