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Table of Contents

• Supporting Each Other Across Borders During the Ho …

• Key things to do to support colleagues

• Cheeky meme of the week

Supporting Each Other Across Borders During the Holiday Season

For graduates working on global teams across the US, UK, and the Middle East, the holiday season can be both rewarding and challenging. Different regions observe different holidays, workweeks, and cultural traditions, which makes collaboration especially important at this time of year. With a little planning and empathy, graduates can help ensure smooth teamwork while everyone gets the chance to rest and recharge.

Start with awareness. Take time to understand key holidays across regions—whether it’s Christmas and New Year in the US and UK, or Eid and other regional observances in the Middle East. Being mindful of these differences helps avoid unintentional scheduling conflicts and shows respect for colleagues’ cultures and beliefs.

Plan ahead and communicate early. If you know you’ll be taking time off, share your availability well in advance. Clear handover notes, updated calendars, and out-of-office messages make it easier for teammates to step in when needed. Likewise, review your teammates’ time-off plans so you’re prepared to cover critical tasks.

Create simple coverage plans. Agree on who will handle urgent requests, monitor inboxes, or attend essential meetings during holiday periods. Rotating coverage fairly ensures no one feels overburdened and reinforces a sense of shared responsibility.

Be flexible with time zones and workweeks. Some Middle Eastern teams operate Sunday–Thursday, while US and UK teams work Monday–Friday. During holidays, flexibility with meeting times and deadlines goes a long way in maintaining momentum without causing burnout.

Offer support—and accept it. If a colleague is covering for you, acknowledge their effort and return the favour when the opportunity arises. A quick thank-you message can strengthen trust and morale.

Key things to do to support colleagues

• Set clear out-of-office messages: Before heading on holiday, ensure your auto-reply is switched on and includes the name, role, and contact details of your global graduate counterpart who is covering for you.

• Confirm handovers early: Share concise handover notes covering key tasks, deadlines, and priorities, so your counterpart has everything they need while you’re away.

• Align on critical deliverables: Identify any time-sensitive work, client commitments, or approvals that may fall during the holiday period and agree in advance who will own them.

• Keep shared tools up to date: Update calendars, task boards, and shared documents so everyone has visibility on availability, progress, and responsibilities.

• Plan for time zones and workweeks: Be mindful of regional working days and time differences, and adjust expectations around response times and meeting schedules.

• Close the loop before you go: Send a brief message to stakeholders confirming coverage arrangements, reassuring them that work will continue smoothly during the holiday period.

Cheeky meme of the week