Over two-thirds (70%) of consumers are planning to shop in-person at small businesses this Christmas, according to a recent Hiscox poll. The festive rush is set to bring holiday cheer, but busier high streets can also increase the risk of workplace accidents.
Health & Safety Executive (HSE) data reveals that 680,000 workers sustained a non-fatal workplace injury in 2024/25, with slips, trips, and manual handling among the leading causes. Sectors most exposed to seasonal footfall – retail, hospitality, trades and delivery services – report notably higher injury rates.
Nick Thornhill, direct and partnerships director, at Hiscox, says: “When small teams face an increase in customers, staff injury risk rises. Longer hours, bigger roles and temporary staff unfamiliar with processes all add pressure. For small businesses, even one injury can disrupt operations at a critical time.”
To help small business owners prepare, Hiscox has created an ‘elf and safety’ checklist: six quick steps to protect staff and keep operations running smoothly during the busiest shopping season of the year.
Seasonal staff say December pressure increases safety risks
High customer footfall and queues (59%), longer shifts and difficulty taking breaks (46%) and physical strain from repeated lifting and long periods standing (41%) are the biggest challenges faced by festive frontline workers this month, according to a recent poll by Hiscox.
The specialist insurer also asked seasonal workers what would have made their roles feel safer or more manageable, revealing:
- 68% said more staff on shift
- 42% said clearer roles (queue management, stocking, click & collect)
- 38% said more frequent breaks
- 38% said better training
With a quarter (25%) of consumers shopping at the last minute, small businesses need a clear plan in place for the festive period.
Hiscox’s ‘elf and safety’ checklist: A practical 10-minute safety assessment
Hiscox is encouraging SME owners to take a short safety pause this Christmas, to ensure teams, tools and processes are prepared for seasonal risks:
1. Prioritise rapid training for temporary staff
A short induction covering stockroom safety, manual handling, spill response and the busiest customer flow points can significantly reduce accidents.
2. Review rotas for fatigue risk
Avoid back-to-back closes and early opens. Guarantee breaks, rotate physically demanding roles, and plan for peak evening/weekend periods.
3. Reassess the physical layout
Festive displays, extra stock and temporary shelving often introduce new slip and trip hazards. Check walkways, fire exits and stock areas daily.
4. Assign clear roles during busy periods
Define roles for queue management, click-and-collect and high-demand zones. Establish these roles by zoning the store and mapping a clear customer journey to minimise bottlenecks.
5. Support team wellbeing
Short micro-breaks, quick check-ins, water breaks and clear communication help reduce emotional and physical strain during long shifts.
6. Double-check employers’ liability accuracy
Hiscox’s Global Protection Gap Report found that 55% of small businesses have a protection gap due to not purchasing core coverages such as employers’ liability.
If staffing levels, shift patterns or processes have changed, ensure your employers’ liability cover is up to date and temporary workers are included.
Case study: Naeem Arif, small business owner
Hiscox spoke to Naeem Arif, owner of United Carpets, a carpet retail and fitting business, about the heightened pressure he experiences in the run-up to Christmas.
Naeem says: “Expectations ramp up overnight, everyone wants everything done before Christmas, and emotions run high. That Golden Quarter pressure can really hit morale if it isn’t managed properly.
“When teams are stretched, that’s when the ‘3 Ss’ – stock, service and standards start to slip. Corners get cut, communication breaks down, and customer tensions rise.
“We work hard to avoid this because mistakes at this time of year don’t just affect staff emotionally and physically, they affect them financially too. The team shares a seasonal performance bonus, so we’d hate to see that affected.”
However, unexpected customer behaviour can derail even the best-laid plans.
Naeem shares: “Sometimes customers simply aren’t ready. The room hasn’t been cleared, the Christmas tree is still up, they’re decorating, or in rare cases, they’re still in bed when the fitters arrive. Our fitters are subcontractors, so we still have to pay them even if the job can’t go ahead, it puts everyone under pressure, delays the next booking and tension rises quickly.”
To minimise risk and protect staff, Naeem’s team focuses on communication and realistic promises.
He outlines: “We never promise what we can’t deliver before Christmas. It’s better to under-promise and over-deliver because delays do happen. When companies overcommit, the pressure becomes unmanageable, that’s when mistakes happen and staff feel the strain.”
A reminder for small business owners
Nick Thornhill concludes: “For many small businesses, December is commercially critical, but it also brings heightened risks. Long shifts, crowded shop floors and temporary staff can create the perfect storm for accidents at work.
“A quick safety check now could help prevent costly disruptions later. If one of your employees falls ill or sustains an injury in the context of the work they do for you, you could be held liable. The health and safety of your employees is of paramount importance, and as an employer it’s vital to uphold that responsibility. Something as simple as slipping on a wet floor could lead to a claim. As accidents do happen, you can help protect the vitality of your business, through clear role planning and ensuring you have accurate employers’ liability cover.”
