Keeping Culture Alive During Summer PTO Season

How to Stay Connected When Half the Team Is Out

Summer’s a time to recharge—but it can also stretch teams thin. Between vacations, flexible schedules, and kids home from school, it’s easy for teams to lose their rhythm.

So how do you keep your culture intact when the office (or Zoom) is half empty?

You don’t need big events or budget. Just a few simple, consistent rituals can go a long way.

Light-Lift Culture Builders for Summer

1. Weekly Highlights or Wrap-Ups

Send a quick Friday recap email or Slack message with:

• Team wins

• Personal shout-outs

• What’s coming next

It keeps momentum going—even when people are in and out.

2. Rotating Huddles or Team Hosts

Change up who leads your weekly team meetings. It invites fresh energy and gives everyone a chance to step up.

3. Summer Challenges or Prompts

Try asynchronous team-building like:

• “Photo of your week” threads

• Icebreaker polls or trivia

• Collaborative Spotify playlists

It keeps connection light and fun—no scheduling drama required.

4. Celebrate Who’s Around

Have a mini birthday treat, lunchtime hangout, or coffee chat with whoever’s in. Don’t postpone culture until fall—build it into the everyday moments.

Final Thought

Culture doesn’t go on vacation—it just needs a little love to keep it going. By making space for connection (even in small ways), you reinforce that your team isn’t just a collection of workers—it’s a community.