How to deal with workers' summer slumps
UC business professor says seasons can affect employees' productivity
A summer slump featuring a loss in the quantity and quality of work is common, and instead of fretting about it, organizations should just roll with it, a University of Cincinnati business professor told Orlando, Florida-based WKMG's Breakfast With Bridgett.
Scott Dust, an associate management professor at the Carl H. Lindner College of Business.
Scott Dust, PhD, the Fealy Family Chair in Entrepreneurship and an associate professor in the Department of Management at the Carl H. Lindner College of Business, said summertime changes people's psyches. It's seen as a time to rest and reenergize, he said.
Instead of fighting it, organizations can ride the wave of seasonality and align work with the right time, Dust said. Summer can be a good time for training, development and growth.
“Recognize we’re not robots,” Dust said. “You can’t program human beings to have the exact same productivity every day and throughout every season. When you’re equipped with that mindset, start to make some changes strategically that allow you to maximize on the aggregate how everybody’s doing throughout the year. Perhaps in summer focus on development and growth initiatives. Maybe start investing in your culture initiatives perhaps by doing offsites or team development, more training that can get people a little bit more enthusiastic.”
Featured image at top: Man working on his laptop on the beach. Photo/Kemal Esensoy via Unsplash
Impact Lives Here
The University of Cincinnati is leading public urban universities into a new era of innovation and impact. Our faculty, staff and students are saving lives, changing outcomes and bending the future in our city's direction. Next Lives Here.
Related Stories
‘Designer drug’ shows early neuroprotective signal in acute ischemic stroke
October 28, 2025
Medscape highlighted new trial results led by the University of Cincinnati's Eva Mistry that found an experimental drug shows promise in protecting injured brain cells for patients with acute ischemic stroke.
Is menstrual fluid ‘the most overlooked opportunity’ in women’s health?
October 27, 2025
The Guardian recently reported that period blood has long been thought of as ‘stinky and useless’, but startups are exploring using the fluid to test for a wide range of health conditions — including endometriosis.
What is squalane, and how does it work to moisturize skin?
October 27, 2025
The University of Cincinnati's Kelly Dobos was featured in a Women's Health article discussing squalane, an ingredient being increasingly used in moisturizing skincare products.