Home topics workplace hr-and-staff Advice Hot Tips Managing Advice Your guide to fighting the January blues Stephanie Zillman January 16, 2014 January is traditionally one of the toughest months for business owners. The combination of tight purse strings after the expense of Christmas and New Year festivities, and employees with post-holiday blues, can mean an all-round slump for business. According to psychologist Fred Cicchini from corporate health management organisation, Injury Treatment, as many as two-thirds of workers experience low- morale after their holiday. “The end of the holiday season, when workers return to the office, can be the toughest time of the year for employees and this is often evidenced in a significant drop in productivity levels – something that can have a lasting impact on a business,” Cicchini said. But the war is not lost. Offices that give employees flexibility to work in a number of environments, such as an open plan space, which includes traditional desks, ‘café’ settings and sofas, can help ease the transition back to work. FDC Construction & Fitouts Managing Director, Ben Cottle said they have noticed a significant rise in company’s looking to update their office to a more open format . “Businesses are seeing the value that comes from providing employees with multiple connectivity points and allowing them to have the ability to work from anywhere at any time in an environment that appeals to them,” Cottle said. There are also very simple and low-cost ways to boost motivation and ensure positivity around