It is really common for trade businesses to have a shut down period over the Christmas season. It’s a great time now, if your business is going to shut down, to look at all you have to do to secure the site and keep workers and clients informed.

Christmas Shutdown, What You Need To Know

Inform Your Staff

Depending on the award for your staff, you’ll need to give between one and three months notice of your intended shut down. We suggest at least three months and that you consider having the shut down period further outlined in their employment contract.

In interviews, we discussed our shut down period, we discussed again at the time of signing the contract (including it in the contract as well), we then sent notice three months, and one month before to provide them with the exact dates for that years shut down.

Keep In Mind Public Holidays

When organising payroll, be sure to keep abreast of all the public holidays over the period and pay accordingly. the public holidays for this year are as follows:

Public holidays.

• Christmas Eve – Monday 24 December 2018 (South Australia only from 7pm-midnight)
• Christmas Day – Tuesday 25 December 2018 (all states and territories)
• Boxing Day – Wednesday 26 December 2018 (all states and territories)
• New Year’s Eve – Monday 31 December 2018 (South Australia only from 7pm-midnight)
• New Year’s Day – Tuesday 1 January 2019 (all states and territories)
• Australia Day – Monday 28 January 2019 (all states and territories)

Notify Clients

This step is crucial if you wish to have real down time over the shut down period. Send your clients an email one month before Christmas and then remind them again the week before. Be sure to include a number for emergencies (if applicable) and the dates for which you will return to work.

Site Safety

Before leaving site for the last time, ensure everything is secure, and locked where able. Do everything possible to deter thrives, and be mindful that it is storm season. Tie down loose items, especially roof sheets that are a weapon when flying through the air. Remember also it’s school holidays and there will be extra kids in the neighborhood, do everything possible to ensure no one can enter site.

Set Up Your Auto Responders

Change you message bank and set up and auto responder on your email, notifying callers, and email inquiries of your shutdown period with a number for emergencies. Let them know when you are returning to work, however I strongly suggests giving them a slightly delayed date, so that you have a day or two to catch up.

Having a break over your shut down period is as important for you as it is for your staff. If you are fortunate enough to have one, a few steps as outlined here, will ensure you enjoy your break.

Does your business shutdown over Christmas?

Nicole xxx