While
working for a labour hire company is a blessing in many ways, one instance
where planning ahead should be noted is the two week period during the
Christmas and New Year’s holidays. Most recruitment
agency clients will have a hiatus during these two weeks, so there will most
likely be a period of downtime to be prepared for and that includes the
everyday items you may not have considered.
First
and foremost, plan ahead where your pay is concerned. In all likelihood there will be no income for
this two week period so plan ahead where expenses are concerned and these are
the regular expenses you encounter each month for housing, monthly bills,
groceries, etc. But, with the holidays
upon us, planning for those extra expenses is important as well. That’s where a budget comes in and although most
people find them difficult to work with, during this time a budget will be your
best friend as it will enable you to still meet your requirements but also
allow for allotted funds for gifts and holiday celebrations.
If
you plan to do some work around the home, it’s important to remember your
personal safety. According to experts,
most accidents occur in or around the home and a large portion of those are
related to home repair and maintenance. Most
recruitment agencies actively ensure their employees are well-trained in
safety-related matters whilst in the workplace, and this is a great opportunity
to take that training and apply these same measures in the home.
Some
things to keep in mind are to use proper safety equipment, eliminate
distractions, safety check all equipment before use, lift with your legs not
your back, double check all cutoffs, and observe all recommended safety
rules. When working with electricity
always double check to see the main switch is off and the number one thing to remember
is to use common sense and never be in a hurry as haste creates accidents.
Maybe
there’s no to-do list waiting for your attention and you will be enjoying some
much needed rest and relaxation. If
that’s the case here are a couple of tips to help you get the most out of the
sun-filled days ahead. First, remember
it is the holiday season and there will be more foot and vehicle traffic during
this period. Plan ahead and give
yourself a little extra time in order to cut down on the headaches of holiday
shoppers and traffic which can only decrease your enjoyment.
Second,
don't forget to pack the sunscreen and plenty of water. Nothing can kill the enjoyment of Christmas quite
as much as a sunburn creating pain and discomfort and hydrating will reduce the
effects of the sun as well. Enjoy the
beautiful weather and the beaches, but just use caution to protect yourself.
If
you will be traveling over the holidays, maybe to visit friends or family,
remember social media may be fun in sharing your memories but it may also be an
invitation to strangers. Be sensible
about what you post on social media because not all those watching or following
have your best interests in mind. Be
smart about posting travel plans as potential burglars could be watching,
waiting to know who will be home and when, reducing their chances of being
caught in the act. It is also likewise
when it comes to photos. Use caution
posting photos of Christmas trees and gifts as it acts as an invitation and may
make you or your family a target for holiday crime. Enjoy the season with friends and family,
just be cautious when sharing with others you may or may not know for your own
protection.
Naturally
a part of this season involves shopping and it may be a large portion of your
time will be spent purchasing gifts for loved ones. If you will be spending much of your downtime
as a jolly elf, there are some suggestions which could be helpful to you,
especially if you are not a happy shopper and do not enjoy the crowds or high-stress
situations. Try to purchase your gifts
online to reduce the amount of time to be spent in the stores; you may find
much of what you are looking for is available from the comfort of home. Plan the hours of the day you will spend
shopping as there are times, even during the holidays, when the crowds are
thinner. Don’t wait until the last
minute to take care of the folks on your list, start early and shop in
increments to reduce stress and last minute panic.
Finally,
plan to spend time if you will be out on the road doing your shopping. There will be crowds and queues and long
waits and planning ahead will reduce stress as well.
Two
weeks to relax and enjoy the holidays can be a blessing but a curse as
well. Although these tips may not cover
all the possibilities; using these and more than a dose of common sense will
carry you a long way and help you survive the holidays.
