Will your business be closing its doors between Christmas and the New Year?

Whilst retail and hospitality businesses are gearing up for their busiest time of the year, other small businesses are taking the opportunity to have a break over the upcoming Christmas period.

We all know that holidays prevent burnout, improve productivity and reduce illnesses. The healthier and happier you are, the more your business will benefit.

So if your business is shutting down, there are a number of factors to consider when it comes to Christmas closures. You need to ensure that:

1. Money has been set aside to cover loss of income during this time
2. All office equipment is turned off to conserve power usage – shut down the computers (don’t just log off), switch off everything at the power point and unplug from the wall
3. Your emails have an “out of office” message set – this will provide an automatic response to anyone who emails you, advising them of your absence
4. An appropriate voicemail on your phone is recorded – this should outline when your business reopens and how to contact you if urgent
5. Data on your computer or servers is backed up before the shutdown period
6. You have advised your clients, suppliers and contractors regarding your closing period
7. That your finances are all sorted, e.g. all customer invoices are paid and that you don’t owe any of your suppliers money.

Your employees can be directed to take paid and unpaid annual leave during a shutdown period. Make sure you’re aware of the Fair Work policies for your industry. Visit www.fairwork.gov.au for more information.