Marvin OnumonuInsights has published a new guide urging business leaders to prepare for the ‘summer slump’ before the holiday season begins.
The company responded to past research which found workplace productivity can drop by up to 20% during summer, with project timelines stretching out by 13%.
David Bowes, head of people at Insights, said: “Too many leaders plan for absence, not impact. You’re not just losing a person for two weeks – you may be losing your team’s planner, your motivator, your quiet fixer.
“These personality gaps can derail performance if they’re not anticipated.”
The guide, called ‘A Leader’s Guide to Combating the Summer Slowdown’, sets out several recommendations.
It suggests leaders should not just fill seats but match cover to the right personalities and team strengths.
Workload should be balanced to avoid burnout among remaining staff, according to the guide.
The guide also contains templates for communication planning, advice on cross-team working, and guidance on aligning work to people’s strengths.
Bowes said it is important to clarify what’s critical, set clear boundaries around priorities, and make sure teams know what skills or behaviours will be missing and who will be stepping in.
He added: “Slump-proofing the summer starts well before anyone checks in at the airport. Smart leaders know the real risk isn’t people taking time off – as employees are entitled to a guilt-free break with family and friends – but the lack of planning for how their absence shifts team dynamics and leaving team members underequipped.”
