2020 holidays are looking blue — here’s how to help stressed-out employees

“Employees have a lot to manage right now: taking care of children and their schooling, caregiving for elderly loved ones — and now, trying to figure out how they’re spending the holidays,” Verdecchia says. “The usual nine to five schedule might not work for them, so give them the flexibility to work outside that so they can take care of their work and personal responsibilities.”

“Work still needs to be done, but it’s important to remember that people are going to be feeling down because they can’t be with loved ones this year,” he says. “So naturally, productivity isn’t going to be at its best; take it easy on employees and don’t expect too much of them right now.”