Sweaty, stretched and stressed? Help your team thrive through summer

Stressing in the sunshine

First off, you need to understand the pressures your people are under during summer.

It’s an expensive time of year. Family plans, social events, holidays, school supplies… It all adds up. And with the cost of living still high, plenty are feeling the pinch.

For working parents, it can be a logistical nightmare. With six-plus weeks of school holidays to navigate, it's a constant juggle between childcare, work, and the guilt of feeling like they’re falling short on both.

Our Head of Financial Wellbeing, Nat Jutla, shares her insight on the challenges your people face:

"Let’s be real, summer isn’t all sunshine and sangria. For many of our people and colleagues, it’s a full-blown juggling act. Childcare, caring, rising costs, holiday FOMO and increased workloads can all add up to that “should I be doing more?” feeling.

Here’s a glimpse of what might be going on behind the scenes:

Parents are feeling it:
• 55% worry they’re missing out on family time
• 27% are considering unpaid leave or using sick days just to cope
• 43% are stressed about the cost of summer and the back-to-school build-up already flashing across every ad break

Carers are feeling it:
• 73% say juggling work and care is stressful
• 61% are anxious about rising costs and financial uncertainty
• 27% are cutting back on essentials like food and heating

Teams covering the holidays are feeling it:
• Up to 33% of UK employees report heavier workloads over the summer due to colleagues being off grid
• 48% admit to experiencing chronic stress or burnout during summer months, with many working evenings or weekends just to keep up. This pressure peak often triggers a rise in sick leave later in the year

So, what helps?
• Signposting your benefits, support and discounts so your people can actually find and use them.
• Swapping the start of a meeting with a genuine “How are you doing?” rather than “can you update me on your targets and deadlines”
• Championing flexible working by making sure it doesn’t come with guilt attached
• Talking about money like it’s normal, because it is.

If we want our people to thrive not just survive the summer stretch, we must show up in ways that matter.

That means providing a culture built on real empathy and support that feels personal and not performative, with benefits that don’t just exist but also land.
It doesn’t need to be big or shiny. But it does need to say: “You’re seen. You’re valued. We’ve got you.”

The power of checking in

Once you’ve got a sense of what your team’s up against, the next step is simple: talk to them about it.

Whether it’s money worries, childcare stress, or just feeling a bit all over the place, simply acknowledging what your team’s dealing with helps ease the pressure.

Get your leaders to check in a bit more than usual – and not just about deadlines. Even a quick “How’s your week going?” can help someone feel comfortable enough to share what’s really going on so they can get the support they need.

And it doesn’t stop at 1-2-1s. Your internal comms set the tone, so keep them warm, human, and a reminder that people aren't in this alone.

Trust your team

Teams deal with all sorts over summer, so even a bit of flexibility can make heaps of difference.

Letting people work in a way that suits them – whether that’s remote days, flexible hours or compressed weeks – shows you trust them and understand they’ve got a life outside of work too.

For some, flexibility means starting or finishing earlier. For others, it’s about fitting in childcare or grabbing a moment to breathe when things get hectic. Even small changes can make the days feel a lot more doable.

Summer’s also a great chance for junior team members to try something new while colleagues are away. It keeps things moving and gives them a real opportunity to step up and grow.

If a perk launches and no one hears it…

If people don’t know what support’s out there, they’re probably not going to use it. Most employees aren’t psychic – and let’s be honest, the company handbook isn’t exactly summer’s must-read. So make sure you’re really bringing your benefits to life instead of just launching them.

This is the perfect time of year to shine a spotlight on the perks that can make everyday life a bit easier. You can shout about:

• Perkbox discounts on family days out, great for making the most of weekends without breaking the bank.
• Savings on school essentials (because there’s always a last-minute “Mum, I need a circular protractor and a historically accurate Henry VIII costume by tomorrow” moment…
• Wellbeing resources that help your team sleep better, stress less, and feel a little more in control.

Shout out the quiet graft

Some of the hardest work your team does over summer won’t be loud or obvious. But it still matters.

Whether it’s quietly stepping up to support others or handling more than usual without making a fuss, every effort deserves to be recognised.

Make a point of acknowledging the people who’ve helped keep things on track. After all, recognising support and collaboration matters just as much as the ‘big wins.’

Use Perkbox’s Celebration hub to give shout-outs that feel personal and meaningful. It’s a simple way to help your team appreciate each other and make sure no one’s effort gets missed this summer.

Build culture while the sun shines

Sure, summer can be hectic – what with half the team on holiday and the other half forming emotional attachments to the office air con. But it’s also a golden opportunity to bring people together.

Warm weather and lighter vibes? Perfect combo for simple, feel-good moments that build culture without breaking the bank. Try things like:

• Lunchtime team walks
• Ice cream breaks (because nothing says “we appreciate you” like a 99 with a Flake)
• Wellness afternoons
• Summer socials (virtual or in-person)

None of this needs to cost much, but it can do wonders for morale and team spirit. It reminds your people they’re part of something – even when routines are all out of whack. It lifts the mood, lightens the load, and helps your culture stay connected.

Summertime and the leading is easy…

Summer might make your team sweat for more reasons than one, but it’s also your chance to lead with care and help everyone keep their cool.

Just make sure you’re checking in, communicating clearly, and backing it all up with support people can feel in their day-to-day.

Want to see how Perkbox can support your team this summer? Book a demo and we’ll walk you through it.