Party on

Despite past predictions of its demise, the holiday office party remains a cherished tradition, in the US at least. In recent surveys developed by OfficeTeam, 73% of managers at Fortune 1,000 companies and 74% of workers polled said their company hosts an office party. Of those who do have holiday soirees, 77% of managers and 71% of employees said they enjoy celebrating the winter holidays with their colleagues. The results indicate a more festive spirit than prevailed four years ago, when 64% of executives in a similar survey said the annual get-together had fallen out of favour.

“Holiday get-togethers are great opportunities for businesses to reward staff and celebrate the year’s accomplishments,” says Diane Domeyer, executive director of OfficeTeam. “Employees can meet colleagues in other departments or divisions of the company and build camaraderie that is beneficial all year round.”

For firms that shy away from parties because of cost or concerns about cultural sensitivities, Domeyer noted that it is possible to host a safe, inclusive gathering that won’t break the budget. “A nondenominational event held during business hours – perhaps an on-site potluck lunch, for example – would allay many of these concerns and provide a venue for workers to share in the spirit of the season,” she says.

Domeyer had the following suggestions for companies that decide to host more elaborate affairs:

Involve staff members in the planning process. This will not only generate good ideas about location, menu and other details, but also encourage team spirit and excitement among colleagues.
Be careful about timing. Weekends in December quickly become overbooked, so consider scheduling the event on a weekday immediately after work.
Create a buzz. Announce the event well in advance so the maximum number can attend. Generate excitement through e-mail and internal newsletter updates.
Encourage networking. Provide nametags and encourage people to mingle and get to know one another better.
Recognize staff members. Elaborate prizes and gifts are not necessary. A simple but heartfelt “thank you” is a great way to publicly acknowledge employees’ hard work and loyalty.