Navigating the summer holidays as a small business owner

At a glance

• As a small business owner, taking time off is essential not just for your well-being, but also for maintaining the productivity and happiness of your workforce. Planning ahead ensures that both you and your team can enjoy a well-deserved break this summer.
• Establish clear holiday policies and guidelines for handling requests, which include summer absenteeism rules, modified dress codes, and flexible work schedules. These measures guarantee a smooth operation during peak vacation times.
• Promote team cohesion and engagement through summer events and encourage your team to disconnect during their time off. By building a supportive and dynamic work environment, you lay the foundation for a healthier, more productive workplace.

One of the big challenges for small business owners, particularly in the start-up phase, is taking time off. Summer is coming and it’s really important you make time for your own break and create the conditions for everyone to enjoy some time off and come back refreshed. Chloe Carey HR Consultant at Business Advisory company Elephants Child shares ten top tips to keep your business running smoothly this summer.

1. Make sure your employees are booking holidays. Yes, you need to keep your business running – but you also want your workforce to be rested, happy and productive. Now is an ideal time to remind them to plan their leave instead of cramming it in at the end of the year.
2. Be clear on the rules about unauthorised summer-related absence due to hot weather or sporting events if that’s a common issue.
3. Understand how to respond to holiday requests fairly if there are too many people who want to take time off at the same time.
4. Think about changing the dress code in warmer months to give employees some flexibility.
5. Host some fun summer team events to build engagement and bring people together. Remember to share photos and a write up on your social media channels to promote your business.
6. Consider introducing more flexible work schedules during the summer to allow your team more time with family – early starts and finishes or working extra hours during the week to allow for a short Friday.
7. Discourage the temptation to work during annual leave by reminding colleagues (and yourself) to leave detailed handovers before they jet off.
8. Encourage people to turn off emails and work messaging apps on smart phones during their leave, try to do the same yourself.
9. Agree a professional format for your Company’s ‘Out of Office’ messages, to include providing an alternative contact while away, and details of when you will be back. You can suggest something in keeping with your company’s tone and style or keep to this simple template: “I’m on annual leave until [add date]. In my absence please contact [add name] via [add email address and/or phone number]. I will reply to your email when I return”.
10. Make sure you enjoy your summer, take a well-deserved break and rejuvenate. You will be no use to your loved ones or the team at work if you are stressed and burnt out.

As you prepare for the summer holiday, and particularly as your business grows, setting up effective policies and processes will benefit your business in the long run. Set yourself up for success with good delegation and mastering the ability to step away from time to time. Longer term, when you begin to think about exiting your business, the less the company relies on you, and the more teams can operate in your absence, the more attractive the business will be to potential buyers. By fostering an environment of trust and flexibility, you’ll create a culture that values both hard work and the importance of taking breaks.

Don’t leave it to chance

Are you ready to take the first step toward a more balanced work life? Get in touch to discover how we can help empower your business, navigate this summer and beyond and promote a healthier work environment.

We work in conjunction with an extensive network of external growth advisers and SME specialists, such as Elephants Child, who have been carefully selected by St. James’s Place. The services provided by these specialists are separate and distinct to the services carried out by St. James’s Place and include advice on how to grow your business and prepare your business for sale. Where the opinions of third parties are offered, these may not necessarily reflect those of St. James’s Place.

SJP Approved 29/04/2025