Health and Safety ReportVolume 23, Issue 12

On a cold December morning, Priti arrives at her retail job already feeling drained. The holiday rush has doubled foot traffic, and she’s been asked to cover extra evening shifts to fill staffing gaps. Customers are impatient, the to-do list keeps growing, and her feet are starting to feel sore. With each shift, she feels the pressure building. She wonders whether speaking up will help.

Priti’s experience is common during the holidays, especially in sectors like retail, hospitality, transportation, logistics, healthcare, offices and other workplaces racing toward year-end deadlines. The holiday season brings excitement, but it can also bring stress, particularly when workloads increase and workers have little control over their tasks or schedules. Employers have a responsibility to recognize these pressures and take steps to prevent workplace stress.

Understanding holiday stress

Workplace stress happens when job demands exceed a worker’s ability to cope, especially when they have little say in how they do their work. During the holidays, longer hours, irregular shifts, higher production expectations, reduced staffing, and more demanding customers can all contribute to fatigue and anxiety. Stress outside of work, such as family commitments, financial pressures, or caregiving responsibilities can add to the strain. This increased stress can also lead to a higher risk of workplace incidents and injuries, including harassment and violence.

What employers can do

Addressing the root cause of stress is the most effective way to prevent it in the workplace, especially during busy seasons. Plan for anticipated increases in workload, ensure adequate staffing, and set realistic expectations about deadlines and output. Designing jobs that balance demand with a worker’s skills and available resources helps prevent overload and supports safety and performance.

A respectful and supportive workplace culture is essential. Clearly outline and communicate roles, expectations, and priorities, while making space for regular check-ins about workload concerns. Giving workers some control, such as scheduling input or task prioritization can reduce stress and help them feel valued. Also be sure to model respectful behaviour, address unacceptable conduct promptly, and recognize workers’ efforts during busy periods. Another essential: having a workplace harassment and violence prevention program in place. Ensure workers are trained on the program, including the procedures for reporting and resolving issues.

Ensuring workers have access to supports such as employee assistance programs, benefits, or wellness resources is key. Make sure they know  these supports exist and are encouraged to use them.

How workers can help

Workers can also take steps to manage stress. This may include sharing concerns or ideas during planning discussions, using available mental health resources, and practising healthy habits such as getting enough sleep, taking breaks, and engaging in physical activity. Identifying personal stress triggers and celebrating small successes can help workers stay grounded during demanding periods.

Workers may also benefit from connecting with trusted colleagues or friends, engaging in relaxing hobbies, or journaling to process feelings. These personal strategies complement but do not replace the employer’s responsibility to ensure the workplace is psychologically safe. Workers should report concerns to their supervisor right away so that they can be addressed.

A healthier holiday season is possible

Having noticed some signs of burnout, Priti’s supervisor approached her at the end of her shift to talk about her workload. Together, they agreed on job modifications that would allow for a break from customer interaction and regular days off.

Holiday stress is common, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. When employers proactively plan for seasonal demands, communicate openly, and build work environments that respect and support their staff, workers are better able to stay healthy and engaged. A little preparation sets the stage for a safer, more productive holiday season for everyone.

Resources

• Workplace Stress, CCOHS
• Taking Action on Workplace Stress Infographic, CCOHS
• Workplace Health and Well-being - Comprehensive Workplace Health and Safety Program , CCOHS
• Psychological Health and Safety - Controlling Psychosocial Hazards, CCOHS
• National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace, Mental Health Commission of Canada

Ill-fitting personal protective equipment can present serious risks for women and workers of all body types and creates barriers for these workers in the trades and other sectors. 

CCOHS facilitated a virtual meeting last year with stakeholders across Canada to discuss the challenges and determine possible strategies to ensure safety for workers regardless of age, body type, size or gender. The meeting featured expert-led presentations on current issues and innovations, along with breakout group discussions.  

Read the summary report highlighting key insights, recommendations and post-event survey results.  

Our podcast episodes help you stay current and informed about workplace health, safety, and well-being in Canada.

Featured podcast: Top Health and Safety Questions of 2025

We reveal the most popular health and safety questions of the year, as sent to our Safety InfoLine service.

Listen to the podcast now

Encore podcast: Top Picks for Travel Tips

No matter the season or destination, safety should always be a critical part of your travel plans. From planning and preparation all the way to hotel precautions and communication procedures, we’ll cover some helpful tips for a safe and healthy trip.

Listen to the podcast now

See the complete list of podcast topics or, better yet, subscribe to the series on iTunes or Spotify and don't miss a single episode.

Even if you don’t use many hazardous products in your workplace, you still need to follow WHMIS regulations. CANManage Basic is designed specifically for workplaces with less than 50 hazardous products. Keep all your safety data sheets organized online and easily accessible to workers. 

CANManage Basic is bilingual, and allows you to quickly organize, share and keep your collection up to date. Key features include:

• Unlimited updates to your safety data sheets
• The ability to search, view and print safety data sheet records and product summaries of important hazard information
• Access to your collection offline

Plus, a handy app makes it easy for your team to access.

Meet the safety data sheet program requirements that inspectors look for during an audit. Subscribe to CANManage Basic.

Have more than 50 hazardous products in use at your workplace? Learn more about our full custom CANManage solution.

Are you a student pursuing a career in occupational health and safety, or do you know someone who is? You could be eligible for the Dick Martin Scholarship – an annual award offering $3,000 prizes to two students, plus $500 to their academic institutions. 

The scholarship is open to post-secondary students currently enrolled either full-time or part-time in an occupational health and safety related course or program leading to an occupational health and safety certificate, diploma or degree at an accredited college or university in Canada. 

Scholarship rules, essay criteria, and other guidelines are available on our website at www.ccohs.ca/scholarships/dmartin. Applications are due January 31, 2026.  

Explore the changing world of work at CCOHS Forum, taking place October 28-29, 2026, in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. 

Are you ready to make a positive impact on workplace health and safety? Plan to join us for this national two-day event. Gain the latest insights on current and emerging health and safety issues from leaders, changemakers, and subject experts representing government, labour, and workplaces. 

Save the date: 

CCOHS Forum
The Changing World of Work
October 28-29, 2026
St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador 

Registration opens January 2026. Watch for more details coming soon: www.ccohs.ca/forum.

Happy holidays from all of us at CCOHS!  

We will be closed from: 

• 12:00 p.m. on December 24 to 8:30 a.m. on December 29 
• 12:00 p.m. on December 31 to 8:30 a.m. on January 2 

We wish you a safe and happy holiday season and look forward to continuing to serve you in the new year ahead.