Four Tips to Make Your Holiday Party a Success
The office holiday party is a chance for everyone to get out from behind the confines of the cubicle and enjoy an afternoon with colleagues in an easy going environment with food, drinks and laughter. Having a good time is the ultimate goal of any holiday party. It sounds so easy, and it should be, however managers must also take into consideration safety measures to protect both the organization and its’ employees. Here are a few tips to ensure your company’s holiday party goes off without a hitch!
1. Be diligent if alcohol is being served
The majority of holiday party mishaps can be blamed on the over consumption of alcohol. Everything from inappropriate texts or photos, nasty comments, racist remarks, harassment, declarations of love, assault or personal injury can occur. Most of us have witnessed how too much alcohol can quickly spoil the fun for everyone. While you don’t need to eliminate spirits entirely, you should consider the following preventative measures to ensure employees stay safe:
- Limit free drinks by providing drink vouchers or tickets to employees and their guests.
- Select one or more company leaders to oversee the party.
- Serve food and plenty of water and soft drinks.
- The biggest alcohol-related risk takes place after the party when employees are heading home. Your company could be held liable if an employee chooses to drink and drive. To prevent devastating accidents, offer transportation alternatives for your employees — such as cab reimbursements or Uber credits.
- Talk to your employees in advance about transportation options and safety.
- Seriously consider not serving alcohol – instead focus on the Food.
2. Focus on the Food…
Great food should be a feature of any holiday party. There are lots of options to consider from local restaurants to catering an event at your office. Take inspiration from the popular “food truck” movement and consider setting up a crepe, noodle, taco, or sushi bar. Assemble a holiday party committee to organize the event and choose a theme.
3. Create a Holiday Party Committee
Having a diverse party planning committee with a mix of members will ensure that the party is inclusive for everyone who attends. Experts advise getting new people on the planning committee every year to provide new perspectives and ideas. The committee can help choose the venue, caterer, theme, food selection, and suggest other ideas such as fundraising to support a local charity or community event.
4. Remind Everyone about Good Conduct
Managers should remind staff about the company code of conduct. No one wants to regret things they said or did at the office party. Keep your message light using humor. Try sharing some examples of past party horror stories from the news or show a short clip of Steve Carell in the TV series, The Office, as a gentle reminder of how not to behave. Share a laugh and good luck.
Employers need to be responsible, inclusive and aware when hosting a holiday party; ensuring that they’ve taken all measures to make every employee feel safe and included…all without taking the fun and enjoyment out. It’s not an easy task, but using these tips will help you get there. Happy Holidays!
