Top 6 Holiday Party Best Practices
Hosting a holiday party can be a great way to celebrate your employees’ hard work, strengthen morale, and build team culture and camaraderie. However, without careful planning, the event can create unexpected problems. Taking time to plan ahead can help your party run smoothly and avoid potential workplace missteps.
Below are the top 6 best practices to keep your party on track:
1. Make Attendance Truly Voluntary
Beyond not wanting employees to feel like this is “forced company fun,” if non-exempt employees are required or pressured to either attend or to work the party, their time must be paid. Encourage managers to avoid asking, "You'll be there, right?" and instead focus on sharing how excited they are about the event.
2. Manage Alcohol Carefully
Using licensed bartenders, drink tickets or limits, and having a hard stop on drink service before the event ends can help to minimize people being overserved and hopefully eliminate the issues that come with drinking such as harassment and drinking and driving. Plenty of food and non-alcoholic options help too, as do rideshare vouchers or other safe ways for people to get home.
3. Weigh the Pros and Cons of Guests
Allowing plus-ones can make the party more festive, but it also adds risk. Guests aren't bound by your workplace policies but can still be responsible if they're overserved or behave inappropriately toward your employees. If you do invite guests, use "guest" rather than "spouse" to be inclusive, set a one-guest limit, apply the same drink limits and ride options to everyone, and remind employees they're responsible for their guest's behavior.
4. Be Sure the Party is Inclusive
Rather than calling the event a Christmas party, call it a "holiday" or "end-of-year" party. Also, think about how you are decorating or any activities or games you are planning. An employee who feels obligated to buy a gift for a swap may resent the idea, however good your intentions.
5. Send a Pre-Party Conduct Reminder
Sending a brief, friendly notice about your workplace policies, including anti-harassment, will remind employees about expectations for their behavior. Managers should also be reminded to model good behavior.
6. Think About Social Media Posts and Photos
Not everyone wants to show up online. Let employees opt out of photos and remind everyone to be thoughtful about what they post.
7. Don't Forget About Virtual Celebrations
Remember, these principals apply to the virtual setting, too. Remote celebrations carry many of the same risks, just in different form. If sending celebration kits, consider varied selections such as non-alcoholic alternatives, and remind employees that anti-harassment and conduct policies still apply in video calls.
Planning a Workplace Holiday Party?
From setting clear expectations and creating an inclusive celebration to navigating workplace policies, Triumph HR can help you plan a holiday gathering that's both enjoyable and appropriate for your team.
-Nancy Saperstone
Senior HR Consultant