‘TIS THE SEASON FOR HOLIDAY PARTIES

HR / Workplace

By:  Kim Adamson

The 2024 Holiday Season has arrived!  Planning a holiday party for your employees can be a great way to boost morale and foster camaraderie, but balancing fun and safety is crucial.  Here are some familiar key considerations to keep in mind:

Purpose and Inclusivity

  • Determine whether the goal is to celebrate achievements, build team spirit, or provide a fun break from work.
  • Consider a neutral theme like a winter celebration instead of focusing on a specific holiday to ensure the event is inclusive of all employees, regardless of their cultural or religious backgrounds.

Logistics and Planning

  • Designate a person or team to handle the event planning.
  • Decide whether the event will be held during work hours or after hours.  Determine if the event will be onsite at the office or at an off-site location.
  • Select a date.  Inform all employees.  Keep in mind that out-of-town or out-of-state employees will need to travel.

Legal and Safety Considerations

  • If you plan to serve alcohol, set clear guidelines. Drink tickets help to manage overconsumption.  Provide plenty of food. Consider dietary restrictions and offer vegetarian options.
  • Offer options for employees to get home safely, such as Uber, Lyft, or taxi.
  • Remind employees about behavior expectations and that the company’s workplace conduct policies about inappropriate behavior and harassment apply at all workplace events.
  • HR staff should prepare managers or leaders to assist employees as needed.  If a situation arises that requires additional assistance, HR staff should be notified immediately.
  • If attendance is optional or mandatory, notify the affected employees that they will be compensated for their time.

Activities and Entertainment

  • Plan activities such as games or contests to encourage interaction and team building. Determine if a prize or gift will be given to the winning person or team.
  • Hire a DJ, band, or other entertainment to keep the mood fun.  Let employees know if an area for dancing will be available at the event.

Feedback and Follow-Up

  • A good plan is to follow up after the event to solicit feedback from the event-planning person/team, managers, and employees to ascertain information for improved future events.
  • The Event Planning Person/Team/Committee should start planning for next year’s event!  If the holiday event is held at an off-site location each year, the Event Planning Person/Team should consider the venue for the following year and reserve the date.  As we know, popular venues sell out quickly!
  • Follow up with managers and employees promptly if a situation occurs to appropriately resolve issues from a compliance, legal, and performance management perspective.

By keeping these considerations in mind, you can plan a holiday party that is enjoyable, inclusive, and safe for all employees

Sources:

 

Recent Posts

Archives