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Summer has officially arrived, and with it comes a steady stream of PTO requests. Employees are heading to the beach, traveling with family, or simply unplugging to recharge, and rightly so. At Pinnacle Employee Services, we know time off is essential to a healthy workplace. But when multiple team members are out at once, it can become a challenge to maintain momentum and morale.
The good news? With a few intentional strategies, you can keep engagement high, even during the quieter summer months.
1.Promote a Culture That Truly Supports PTO
It starts at the top. When leadership encourages employees to fully disconnect during their PTO, and models that behavior themselves, it sets a powerful tone. Employees are more likely to take the time they need without guilt, which leads to better mental health, higher productivity, and lower burnout rates in the long run. In fact, a study by the Harvard Business Review found that employees who take regular vacations are more likely to be satisfied with their jobs and perform better at work (Harvard Business Review, 2016). When leadership promotes a healthy time-off culture, it reinforces trust and balance across the organization.
Encourage your teams to plan ahead and support one another’s time away. Consider creating coverage plans that include temporary role swaps or buddy systems to keep workflows moving without causing stress.
2.Stay Connected with Light, Intentional Communication
Rather than letting communication stall while people are out, use this time to keep touchpoints relaxed but consistent. This could be:
· A quick Monday morning email with priorities or kudos
· A low-key Slack thread where team members can share summer wins or weekend updates
· Optional virtual drop-ins or team chats for those in-office or online
Keeping the tone informal and positive helps maintain a sense of community, even when the full team isn’t present.
3. Celebrate Wins and Individual Efforts
When the office feels a little emptier, recognition matters even more. Acknowledge the employees who are stepping up, covering for others, or knocking out important tasks. This can be as simple as a public shout-out in a team message or a surprise coffee gift card.
Highlighting even small wins builds momentum and reinforces that their efforts don’t go unnoticed.
4. Introduce Flexible Engagement Options
Engagement doesn’t have to be high-stakes or heavily structured. Summer is a great time to introduce:
- Virtual coffee chats – Casual, no-agenda conversations that build connection
- Theme days – “No-Meeting Fridays” or “Casual Office Tuesdays”
- In-office perks – Ice cream breaks, outdoor team lunches, or early-close Fridays
These light touches can boost morale without requiring a lot of planning or time commitment.
5. Use the Lull to Build for the Future
Instead of pushing through at full speed, embrace the slower pace and focus on internal development. Great opportunities include:
· Updating your employee handbook or training materials
· Cross-training team members in new systems or processes
· Hosting brainstorming sessions for Q4 planning or new initiatives
This kind of proactive work often falls to the wayside during busier months but can pay big dividends later on. According to Gallup, teams that invest in development—even during slower seasons—report higher engagement, better collaboration, and improved retention.
How Pinnacle Employee Services Can Help
Managing engagement across shifting schedules and summer slowdowns doesn’t have to fall on your shoulders alone. As a full-service PEO, Pinnacle Employee Services partners with businesses to provide:
- PTO tracking tools that make managing time off seamless
- Training programs designed for engagement and growth
- HR support that adapts with your seasonal needs
From strategic planning to day-to-day admin, we help you keep your team connected, motivated, and focused—even when half the office is out catching rays.
Ready to keep your team engaged this summer without the stress? Let’s talk.