‘Tis the time of year and everyone in the office is looking forward to joining their colleagues and clients for lots of fun at the company’s annual Christmas party…or what?
For some, the boozy office party is as synonymous with December as Fair Isle jumpers and Brussels sprouts, but things are changing…for a variety of reasons.
Let’s explore a few of the features at play:
Mocktails over cocktails
Not everyone wants to drink a dry bar.
According to Fortune magazine, a fifth of office parties will be alcohol-free this year and event management company Together suggests that 74% of Gen Z workers are so aware of the health effects of alcohol that managers are now under pressure to provide alcohol-free celebrations. .
But it’s not a matter of Gen Z hitting the shots (or quitting) – there are many reasons why people choose not to drink. It’s also not about stopping end-of-year celebrations altogether – no one wants to be accused of being the ‘fun police’. It’s a growing awareness among employers that lounging and dancing on tables at the end of the night is not everyone’s cup of tea. In fact, some might like that cup of tea!
New property?
The office Christmas party is not as big as it seems. For many, the extra costs can be significant (especially for younger employees) when you consider possible new clothes, transportation or lodging, and extra drinks when the company bar tab runs out.
The hours are over
For team members with families or those who already spend more time working than they should, another late night may be the last thing they want. Sometimes a nice lunch or lunchtime event might find a better balance, involving your group.
Simple business
According to legal forum Valla, survey results show that one in ten workers were also planning to miss their Christmas party in order to avoid attention from unwanted sex.
We’ve all heard gossip about drunken incidents at the office or at client parties. We may have laughed, shook our heads or been the instigator of some cheer. And while such antics are certainly not reserved for Christmas, they are enhanced by the abundance of fun that takes place at this time of year.
Maintenance work
This is where it gets serious. On 26 October, the introduction of the Workforce Protection Act 2023 put the onus on UK employers to take serious measures to prevent sexual harassment at work and at work-related events including office parties.
An offhand comment or drunken mistake may be common when the drinks are flowing but when things turn sour, it can have devastating consequences not only for the people involved, but for your organization as well.
Such events can no longer be easily dismissed as ‘just banter’ or your regular night job. In fact, if the case ends up in the labor market and the company is deemed to have not met this new duty of care, any compensation awards can be increased by an additional 25% – risky, therefore, both reputationally and financially.
Striking the balance
Regardless of what’s on the agenda, the emphasis should be on rewarding your people. And as the year draws to a close, the opportunity to (rightly) celebrate a hard-fought win should be a happy one.
Rather than producing a list of do’s and don’ts before a nerve-wracking party, the message should be inclusive, respectful, caring, and making you and the company proud.
If a shift in cultural thinking is needed in your organization, it won’t happen overnight, and it won’t happen right before you hit the town!
Long-term understanding of how your comments or actions can be perceived as threatening, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive, regardless of how they were intended is important, not just during the holidays but all year round. It is also important that your team is empowered with the knowledge of how to deal with unwanted advances or negative behavior from other people, including customers and external contacts.
It’s worth getting expert guidance on how best to use and embed this new way of thinking, to comply with the new law and help reduce risk – whatever the time of year.
Check, please!
We all know that dressing up for a festive bash isn’t cheap. If the attendance figures at your annual corporate soirées are starting to flag, it may be time to look around your office and consider whether a traditional booze-fest is giving your people what they want.
An anonymous group survey can be one way to measure sentiment. You can’t please everyone all the time, but when ideas are heard and accepted, it goes a long way toward building a strong company culture and happy employees.
Choosing the right event can enhance your culture and sense of camaraderie. According to Australian company Corporate Challenge, 85% of employers believe that Christmas parties can have a positive effect on employee morale, with 96% of attendees less likely to resign the following year. A sign that lack of participation in group activities is a real sign of disengagement and someone to watch out for.
You might even consider moving away from the annual bash altogether. Craze Central says 57% of 16-34 year olds would like to see the entire office party budget go to charity, while giving employees a financial reward instead of a night out could also prove popular.
In summary
Although getting into the festive spirit is well encouraged, there is a growing awareness that not everyone wants to wake up with mistletoe in their hand and a kebab in their hair.
As a business leader, it is therefore important to find a way to reward end-of-year efforts that is right for your organization and your people. With a keen awareness of how to respect and maintain personal boundaries, everyone should be able to enjoy themselves without fear of regret or consequences.
Now, who’s for eggnog?
