As COVID-19 cases continue to rise and summer is in full swing, it can feel like your team has dwindled down to just a few. There’s no time to relax, as the work will continue to come whether you are ready or not. As a manager, it is your responsibility to make sure every workspace is covered and while also making sure your team doesn’t get burned out. Below are a few ways to help your workplace thrive with a skeleton crew.

Prioritize the Workload

The fastest way to start feeling overwhelmed and burned out is trying to do too much at one time. Always do your best to plan ahead by taking inventory of what needs to be done each day and prioritize the importance of each responsibility before delegating tasks to your team. For example, answering the phone and scheduling appointments are high priority while shredding paperwork may not be as important. Make sure you express to your team what absolutely needs to be taken care of and what is of lesser importance. This will help your team in their own efforts while trying to prepare for the day.

Hold A Morning Meeting Everyday

Whether this is a part of your practice as manager or not, while having a skeleton crew it is important to start the day off right. Holding a morning meeting will allow you to express to your team any changes that have been made, what the important daily tasks are, and some encouragement and praise to start the day. Allow your employees to ask questions and encourage them to take a deep breath before starting their day. This will help everyone stay connected while keeping them focused on the job at hand. If it has been a stressful week, maybe bring donuts one morning or coffee. You never know what kind of morning someone had before they arrived. If they are in a bad mood, a morning meeting may help get them in the right head space before they start their job. Acknowledge people publicly.

Encourage Breaks

While it may seem like there just isn’t enough time to let everyone leave, it is important to encourage your staff to take breaks during overly busy times. If there isn’t enough time for lunches, order in some food but also make sure each of your team members takes time to step away from their job for at least 15 minutes during the day. If possible, offer 2-3 breaks a day. Giving your team time to step away from their job will recharge them for the remaining hours of the day. It is not good for anyone to stay focused and rushed for a long period of time. They will become overwhelmed or overly exhausted and the work will not be as high of quality. Keep from any burn out by allowing breaks and reminding your employees to take them.

When you are working with a skeleton crew, things can get overwhelming very quickly. In order to keep your team on point and away from burn out, you need to take care of them. Some of the best ways to take care of your crew is by stepping up as a manager. Lend a hand when you can, get dirty, prioritize responsibilities and delegate tasks so everyone runs efficiently. Encourage and praise your team for their hard work and remind them to take breaks. Remember, you’re all in this together. The more you can show them that you are there for them individually, the less burn out you will experience from your team as a whole.