Another day, another emerging trend in the workplace—hush holidays. As a business owner, you may be understandably concerned about this new level of potential deceit from your employees. So this time, let’s look at the rising trend of hush holidays, explore the implications, and provide actionable strategies to foster trust and collaboration within your micro business.
Understanding Hush Holidays
Hush holidays, a term reportedly coined by Glassdoor, describe a situation where employees work remotely from different locations without their employer’s knowledge. This trend has gained traction with the increasing acceptance of remote work, facilitated by stable internet connections and enhanced productivity.
Balancing Trust and Autonomy: The Need-to-Know Basis
Whilst executives enjoy autonomy at the upper tiers of an organisation, the same cannot necessarily be said as you move down the chain. One executive can boast that they work on a need-to-know basis and will continue to do so, raising questions about transparency and trust across the entire workforce.
This calls for careful consideration of the balance between trust and autonomy. It’s time to review your policies and procedures to ensure they support all individuals in the internal community.
“Making the most of every opportunity is a big priority for many people, more than ever before..."
40%
Employees discovered working outside their home/country
46%
Declining confidence for HR knowing where workers are
56%
Extremely likely to go on a hush holiday.
36%
Have already planned a hush holiday!
The "Ask for Forgiveness" Policy
In the face of crises like the Great Resignation and persistent staff shortages, employees have embraced a “do first, ask later” approach. This policy allows them to navigate the uncertainty and capitalise on the silence surrounding hush holidays. However, it presents significant concerns for business owners seeking stability and integrity in their workforce.
HR professionals are reported to be tearing their hair out. Over time, the odds are stacked against them, regaining control. However, when employees are proving to be more productive and enjoying a better quality of life, is it really that serious?
When there is a risk of a boss saying no simply because they can or don’t feel they have the time to consider the request. Taking the path of least resistance seems to be a savvy move. It’s not so easy to ignore a policy that is enforced, and the individual is fully aware of the consequences.
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Unveiling the Potential Risks of Hush Holidays
- potential tax implications,
- security breaches,
- non-compliance with regulations, and
- the possible impact on employee rights and labour laws.
Acknowledging and tackling these potential dangers is crucial to protect your company.
Every week a different Ethical Insight looks at some aspect of building a business of difference.
You can learn more about HouseRules and the different approach by clicking below.
The Importance of Clear Expectations
Establishing Clear Expectations and Planning
Check out the choice of services. From a Dust Off, Clean Up to the ultimate Clear Out, you get to decide how closely we work together.
When you have your house in order with HouseRules, whatever is trending will be nothing but news because you will have a trusted internal community in place.
As the work landscape rapidly evolves, it is crucial not to overlook planning for the future. By taking proactive steps, you can navigate the challenges posed by hush holidays, mitigate potential liabilities, and foster a culture of trust, collaboration, and success within your micro business. Explore our website for further guidance on addressing hush holidays and creating a thriving, united workplace.
As always, time is precious, so don’t mull over actions you know need to be taken too long. Book a Sip & Chat to talk through how we can work together. Building a trusted internal community is good business sense. Don’t procrastinate for too long. I’d hate for you to miss out.
