Dear HR: How can I give my team the flexibility they need during the holidays while also meeting fourth-quarter goals?

Dear HR Manager

How can I give my team the flexibility they need during the holidays while also meeting fourth-quarter goals?

— Concerened Team Leader

Dear Concerened,

You’re not alone in facing that dilemma. The final stretch of the year brings high expectations, limited time, and competing personal priorities. The key is to strike a balance between structure and empathy, clear goals supported by genuine flexibility.

     Flexibility has become one of the most powerful drivers of workforce engagement and retention.

Clarify Priorities Early
Distinguish between what must be completed by year-end and what can be delayed. A shared understanding of non-negotiables helps everyone plan their time realistically.
 
Define Flexibility by Outcomes
Rather than focusing on hours, focus on deliverables. Allow employees to coordinate their own schedules and communicate coverage. Brief, purposeful check-ins maintain accountability without overwhelming calendars.

Model the Balance
Set the tone by taking your own time off and respecting boundaries. When leaders model balance, teams feel permission to do the same.

Support the Whole Person
Recognize that flexibility isn’t just about hours, it’s about trust. Encourage employees to recharge, attend family commitments, and return focused. Meeting goals while honoring life outside of work builds loyalty that lasts well beyond the end of the year.

— HR Manager