The holiday season is upon us! Lights are being strung on houses, trees are going up in family rooms and the snow is beginning to stick to the ground. For most people, this time of year is all about shopping, cooking and baking, and hosting in-laws over the holidays. However, if you are an employer, another thing is probably on your mind: the office holiday party.
It might be surprising that people still need reminders about how to behave appropriately when mixing business with pleasure. Whether you’re a new employee or seasoned manager, here’s a list of tips to help you put your best face forward at a holiday office party this year.
- Think twice before you post. Before you put photos of the workplace holiday party or other holiday parties on Facebook, make sure they are PG. Ask yourself, would you want your boss to see these pictures? If not, it’s probably best to keep them offline.
- Conduct yourself professionally at all times. Don’t use the office party as an excuse to blow off steam. It’s still a company function, so proper etiquette and decorum matter.
- Don’t spend all evening talking business. There’s plenty of time to do that during the regular workweek. Don’t bring shop talk to the holiday party; you risk being labelled as the office bore.
- Don’t forget to thank the person responsible for the planning and coordinating of the party. It takes a lot of work to plan and execute an office party. Be sure to thank those who worked hard ensuring you had a good night. Consider sending a thank-you note to top management for hosting the party as well.
What if you’re on the planning end of the party?
It’s true that an office holiday party can be a memorable, exciting event that can help boost morale. However, someone has to be in charge of planning the festivities! Without proper planning you risk having a party that’s is completely mind-numbing.
Below is a list of tips to help you plan an exciting and positive office holiday party this year:
- Pick a convenient date early on. December weekends fill up quickly. Consider having your holiday party in November or even January when your employees’ schedules calm down a bit.
- Choose a suitable venue. If you’re going to treat your employees to dinner, do it at a restaurant that’s close to the office and easy for employees to access.
- Provide ample food and drink that meet the dietary needs of your employees. There’s nothing worse than attending an office party with a hungry belly and realizing that your vegetarian diet has not been taken into consideration. Before deciding on food for the event, make sure you know about all your employees’ dietary restrictions so you can offer something for everyone.
- Provide transportation. If you’re going to be serving alcohol at your office party, provide alternate transportation for your employees. Arrange designated drivers in advance or provide taxi chits to employees to ensure everyone gets home safely.
Holiday office parties can be a wonderful event for employees and employers alike. Make sure that whatever you do this season, you’re staying safe and having fun!
Clear Path Employer Services
www.clearpathemployer.com
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