Is your business ready for the holiday season, or already showing signs of summer stress?

Summer’s meant to give your team a breather, not bring your business to a standstill.

But every year, it’s the same story. Holiday requests come in waves. Cover gets messy. Some return refreshed, while others are left juggling their own work, and covering for the rest.

And what’s really behind it? Not the time off itself, but the lack of a proper plan.

When summer leave isn’t handled well, you’ll start to feel the ripple effects:

• The same few always picking up the extra workload
• People being denied leave with no real explanation
• Frustrations growing over who gets the “best weeks”
• Managers running on empty trying to patch it all together

If it sounds familiar, it might be time to reassess how your business handles time off before the pressure hits breaking point.

What Happens When There’s No Proper Leave Planning

Without a plan, things don’t just get stressful. They become unpredictable. Here are things that will happen if you don’t have a plan, compared to having a plan in place:

You might not see the damage right away. But over time, this lack of structure chips away at morale, trust, and team cohesion. Eventually, that will cost you far more than just a few missed emails.

People also read: How to elevate & motivate your workforce

Time Off Is a Right. But Trust Is Earned

Time off should be simple. But how it’s managed says a lot about your business.

If your team thinks someone else always gets special treatment, or they feel guilty just for asking to book a holiday, it won’t take long for tension to set in.

According to CIPD, around 40% of UK employees avoid taking their full holiday entitlement because they’re afraid of falling behind or being judged for it. That’s a serious concern, and it doesn’t just hurt wellbeing. It reflects on your culture as a whole.

When people can’t step away from work without worry, they’ll either burn out quietly or mentally check out. And when that happens, it’s not just productivity that drops. It’s trust, loyalty, and long-term engagement.

Fair, well-managed leave isn’t just a policy. It’s a signal that you value your people, not just their output.

People also liked: Stress, Burnout and Resilience: 5 Strategies to Improve Employee Mental Wellbeing

Four Ways to Keep Things Running Smoothly This Summer

At Coppice HR, we help business owners get ahead of the holiday chaos by putting the right systems in place. Here’s what that looks like:

1. Strong Handovers
   Make sure tasks, deadlines, and contact points are handed over clearly. No one should be left guessing.

2. Shared Responsibility
   Don’t let work cover fall on the same team members every time. Spread it fairly, and share responsibilities in advance before it becomes an issue.

3. Flexibility With Boundaries
   Flexible working is a great tool, as long as it’s paired with structure. People need space, but they also need clarity.

4. Transparent Rota Planning
   Your team should understand how leave is approved. Whether you rotate priority or go first-come-first-served, consistency matters.

Related Articles: 4 Strategies for maintaining Employee Productivity during Summer

Let’s Get You Ahead of the Summer Stress

Coppice HR doesn’t just send you over a policy and leave you on your way.

We work with you to create practical processes that function in your business, not just on paper. You’ll get guidance that’s built for your team, your industry, and your way of working.

If you’re looking for a leave strategy that protects your people and keeps your business moving through the summer months, email Paul at paul@coppicehr.com or call 07814 008478

We’ll help you take the pressure off your people and put a proper plan in place.