Happy summer!  Over the past couple of weeks, I have heard the following comments from in-house HR and employment law clients: 

• “I almost missed my kid getting their diploma because I was outside on a work call”
• “Our employees love the Company’s Summer Fridays [leave work at 12 every Friday] – but I have yet to take one!”
• “On vacation, my spouse threatened to throw my laptop in the ocean.”

Remember when we thought of summer as a slow work time, allowing us to leave work earlier than usual and even take an “unplugged” vacation to refresh, rejuvenate and connect with friends and family?  When was the last time you left work early or took a vacation that was truly “work free?”  Is that even possible with the technology that finds us wherever we are?  They say that “no one is indispensable,” but sometimes it’s faster and easier to answer a phone call than to prepare our colleagues to address questions while we are out.  But HR teams should be modeling the behaviors we tell others are important. For example:

• Truly unplugging while out of the office shows you really mean it when you tell people the importance of creating work/life boundaries. 
• Training others to cover your role while you are out models the cross-training that is critical to employee development and organizational succession planning.
• Your HR team advocates for and promotes benefits like “summer Fridays,” but are you using them and modeling this behavior for others?  

The reality is that summer goes by in the blink of an eye, and is never quite as productive as we had hoped it would be when we “parked” all those projects on our summer to-do list.  The fact is that employees are up to 20% less productive in the summer!  I get it – in the winter it’s dark when the workday ends and I don’t mind spending an extra hour (or two) getting caught up, but in the summer there are HOURS of daylight after traditional work hours. Working “one more hour” feels like punishment when the dog gives me the “let’s go for a walk” stare, the family wants to grill some burgers, and the restaurants all have outdoor seating that’s full unless we get there early.  

Summer Hits HR Teams Especially Hard

It seems most people agree that it’s important to leave work behind and focus on self, family and friends from time to time.  That said, HR Teams are often especially busy over the summer, and taking that time can be difficult without added support.  Does this resemble what’s on your desk right now, in June 2026?  

• Cost and select 2027 health insurance plans, draft and distribute open enrollment communications.
• All three payroll clerks have asked for the same week off in July.
• The summer outing is in August (which HR plans, runs, and then fields the reports of misconduct after); and  
• The company’s sales and marketing goals, quotas and staffing have to be updated and approved before Q4’s new product launch (i.e. by September 30th).

Consistent Messaging

The HR team encourages staff to “unplug” when on vacation or away from work, so it is not a good look for you to be emailing while you are at your college reunion, visiting day at your kids’ camp rafting in Colorado with your family. But how do you avoid the “September Scramble” to catch up on the things you thought you’d get done in July and August?

• Starting in early spring, when possible, prioritize projects that must be completed before Q4 starts in October
• Confirm PTO schedules as early as possible
• Cross-train team members for critical responsibilities
• Delegate or outsource sub-tasks that make the summer tasks less onerous
• Identify where temporary support may be helpful

These last two may require added support for a temporary period of time – don’t worry – we’ve GOT you!

How HR Solutions At Work Can Help

Our team of HR professionals is always available to add bandwidth to your in-house HR team, whether it’s before, during, or after the summer!  HRSAW does not require a membership or minimum usage, you only pay for the work we do.  We can help while you sip cocktails on a cruise ship, walk on the beach, visit family, or “staycation” to soak up the summer sun before September (or, more likely, finish the at-home to-do list you’ve been writing since winter!).  

Leave the tasks to us – we will do it in less time than it takes you to remember where you stored the boogie boards after last summer . . . .

Contact info@hrsolutionsatwork.com for a free 30-minute consultation and to learn how we can help you spring into fall with your summer checklist complete!

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