26 August 2025

Back from holidays: how to motivate your team for a new start

Woman sitting at a desk, sad to be back from holiday, with her computer switched off and her head in her hands.

 

La back from summer holidays is a decisive moment for any company. After the summer break, many people face a sudden change of pace that can lead to lack of concentration, demotivation and even the so-called “post-holiday syndrome”. 
 
For companies, this period is not only a challenge, but also an opportunity to opportunityA new start to align objectives, reinforce commitment and focus on the well-being of the team. 

Below, we present tips for returning from holidays that will help the back to work after the holidays The new system will make it more bearable, improving productivity and the working environment. 

Table of contents

1. Listening and reconnecting with people

After the back from summer holidays, people arrive with new experiences, changes in their mood, and sometimes, with accumulated worries. Creating spaces for conversation, such as informal or individual team meetings, ..., it allows managers to get first-hand knowledge of how each person is feeling and what they need to readjust. 
 
This active listening not only helps to detect potential problems, but also sends a clear message: the company values and respects its people. A team that feels heard is more willing to commit and give their best. 

2. Set clear and achievable objectives.

A common mistake in the Back to work after holidays is wanting to make up for “lost” time in just a few weeks. This often leads to stress and frustration. 
The key lies in set progressive goals, combining small immediate milestones with medium-term goals. This way, employees can experience early achievements that boost their confidence. 
 
For example, instead of imposing large projects from day one, tasks can be broken down into more manageable phases, celebrating each achievement. This keeps motivation high and promotes a more balanced start. 
 

3. Encourage flexibility

The transition from leisure to work routine can be tough if immediate and rigid adaptation is demanded. Implementing flexibility measures —such as staggered hours, temporary intensive working days, or the option of remote working— makes it easier for employees to regain their productivity without feeling overwhelmed. 
 
Flexibility is also a key factor in attracting and retaining talent, as more and more professionals prioritise a real work-life balance. A team that perceives this understanding from the company face the return from holiday with less stress and greater willingness. 
 

Furthermore, flexible working hours and remote working are part of a sustainable mobility plan!  
 

4. Recognise and celebrate effort 

The acknowledgement It's a powerful motivator, especially after the holidays when initial energy levels can fluctuate. You don't need to wait for big achievements: a simple “good job” or publicly highlighting a specific contribution can significantly boost morale. 
 
Furthermore, light activities can be organised as welcome breakfasts, afterworks or team-building activities to celebrate the return. These moments foster connection between colleagues and create a positive atmosphere that facilitates reintegration. 
 

5. Implement benefits that make a difference

The return from the summer holidays is a A strategic moment to introduce positive changes to the company's benefits policy. After the break, the teams are usually more receptive to new initiatives that improve their working experience. Furthermore, it is a stage in which projects are reactivated and objectives are redefined, so presenting a flexible remuneration plan fits naturally into the planning for the new period. 

A Flexible remuneration plan allows to offer personalised benefits, tailored to each individual's needs, optimising their compensation without increasing salary costs for the company. Among these benefits, one of the most valued is Ticket Restaurant, which not only increases purchasing power thanks to its tax advantages, but also promotes healthier eating habits and facilitates work-life balance

Implement the Restaurant Ticket right in the return from holidays Send a powerful message: the company cares about the team's daily well-being and wants the return to be as pleasant as possible. This gesture contributes to reinforcing motivation, improving the work environment, and retaining talent, just when it's most needed to regain rhythm and energy to face new challenges. 

Download the e-book about How to have happy employees with flexible remuneration!  
 

All about Ticket Restaurant

Ticket Restaurant from Edenred is a 100% digital solution designed to offer economic support for meals during the working day. Companies can offer it as a social benefit, flexible remuneration, or a hybrid model.  

The teams receive a Physical or virtual card with a balance topped up by the company or coming from their salary which they can spend at a wide network of restaurants, also when working remotely, even via Apple Pay or Google Pay. 

From a fiscal point of view, Ticket Restaurant offers significant advantages: it is 100 % deductible for corporate income tax purposes and it is exempt from income tax up to €11 per working day, This optimises the net cost for both the company and the individual user. 

The platform is intuitive and centralisedThe company manages top-ups and monitors consumption, while employees can easily check their balance and transactions. 

Edenred Spain

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