As the holiday season approaches, whether it’s Christmas, Easter, or other major breaks, many businesses experience the same challenge: reduced staff numbers. Employees take well-deserved time off, leaving smaller teams to cover the workload. While this is normal, it also creates an overlooked risk: new lone workers.
A team member who usually works alongside colleagues may suddenly find themselves completing tasks solo. In industries where risks are high, such as healthcare, local government, construction, utilities, retail, or community services, this can increase the likelihood of incidents.
Understanding these seasonal changes and preparing in advance is key to keeping workers safe, productive, and supported.
Why holidays create new Lone Workers
During busy holiday periods, organisations often face:
- Reduced staffing – fewer people on shift means some tasks fall to one individual instead of a team.
- Increased demand – retail surges at Christmas, healthcare services see higher patient loads, and councils face spikes in community requests.
- Fatigue and stress – workers may push themselves harder to cover gaps, increasing the risk of accidents or errors.
- Unfamiliar duties – staff may be asked to step outside their usual role, creating situations where they’re less confident or more vulnerable.
These factors combined mean someone who isn’t normally a lone worker could suddenly become one, and without proper preparation, their safety may be at risk.
Common holiday Lone Worker risks
- Working in isolation without nearby support if something goes wrong.
- Increased incidents from slips, trips, and manual handling due to higher workloads.
- Aggressive behaviour from stressed or impatient customers, clients, or the public.
- Reduced emergency response times, as services and internal contacts may also be operating with skeleton staff.
- Mental strain, with longer or more pressured shifts contributing to fatigue and stress.
How businesses can prepare
The good news is that with some forward planning, organisations can protect their people and reduce risks. Here are some practical steps:
1. Review Rosters and Workloads Early
Plan ahead for holidays by identifying who may be left working alone. Where possible, adjust schedules to ensure coverage and avoid unnecessary solo shifts.
2. Conduct a Holiday Safety Briefing
Remind staff of lone worker procedures and emergency protocols before the break. Even employees who don’t usually work alone need to know what to do if they find themselves in that situation.
3. Provide Extra Training
If employees are covering unfamiliar duties, ensure they have clear instructions and training to reduce mistakes and accidents.
5. Leverage Lone Worker Technology
Personal safety devices with features like emergency SOS buttons, fall detection, GPS location sharing, and audio check-ins can bridge the gap when teams are stretched thin. These tools not only provide immediate support in an emergency but also give workers peace of mind knowing they’re never truly alone.
Building a culture of care, even during busy seasons
Workplace safety doesn’t take holidays. By anticipating risks and putting the right support in place, businesses can protect their teams, avoid costly incidents, and maintain productivity during their busiest times of year.
For organisations, the message is clear: a few proactive steps now can prevent serious consequences later.
Because at the end of the day, every worker deserves to head home safe, no matter the season.
