What Do Your Employees Really Think About Holiday Parties? 70% Feel Pressured to Attend [Survey]

Assistant Professor, Costello College of Business, Business Foundations
George Mason University

Are holiday parties/holiday socialization opportunities an effective way for business owners to show appreciation to their employees? Can they boost team morale?

Fun in the workplace can increase team belongingness and reduce turnover. Holiday parties/ holiday socialization opportunities could be examples of fun integration activities for employees. However, research shows that these events are most effective when employees perceive opportunities for socializing with their co-workers, especially their team members, and also observe that their managers are supportive. So, these holiday events should be planned specific to the organization/team’s culture and based on their needs.

Additionally, research has also shown that integration activities such as holiday parties can foster closer relationships among demographically similar co-workers. Still, such an effect was not observed for demographically dissimilar co-workers. Thus, the mere organizing of holiday parties/socialization opportunities may be less important than how we plan and organize these integration/socialization opportunities. These events should be organized in a way that employees attend because they are eager to, not because they believe they must.

When it comes to employee safety at company-sponsored holiday parties, what type of pre-planning is necessary? (i.e., limiting alcohol, expensing or organizing rideshares, and picking a central location)

I think safety protocols should be considered, and companies should follow their safety rules and their company’s culture in these events. However, if they want to foster positive relationships for all team members, they should also focus on other criteria for pre-planning. When organizations arrange these holiday events for their employees, creating an environment that fosters comfort, respect, and inclusion is crucial.

How can managers help to ensure that their remote workers still feel valued when in-person holiday activities aren’t an option?

Positive relationships at work are built gradually and through ongoing interactions. While social events and holiday parties could be one context for developing such relationships, other ways of encouraging non-work interactions for remote workers could also work. 

Managers can think of organizing virtual holiday events for their remote team, such as online holiday cooking/baking activities, fun holiday crafts, etc. Alternatively, routine fun activities such as weekly online hangouts or monthly online games could also engage their remote workers. 

Associate Professor, Marketing
Merrimack College

Are holiday parties/holiday socialization opportunities an effective way for business owners to show appreciation to their employees? Can they boost team morale?

Yes, holiday parties are an effective way to show appreciation and boost morale. This venue allows for people to commiserate with each other in a non-business setting. It allows for the sharing of personal information, establishing an opportunity to bond.

They see each other in a different light, with no titles and authority relationships to hinder socialization. Of course, specific parameters must be established to act as a control mechanism for aberrant behavior. People are allowed to be human and let their hair down for fun.

When it comes to employee safety at company-sponsored holiday parties, what type of pre-planning is necessary? (i.e., limiting alcohol, expensing or organizing rideshares, and picking a central location)

The parameters cited above address this issue. Management must know their employees and host an appropriate gathering that reflects the basic nature of those people. Venues for white-collar events might very well be different than for blue-collar ones. In either case, establishing rules (time, alcohol, dress, etc.) ensures a successful celebration.

How can managers help to ensure that their remote workers still feel valued when in-person holiday activities aren’t an option?

Extra holiday gifts and bonuses fill the bill if remote workers cannot attend. The old saying, “It’s the thought that counts,” still holds true. These offerings say to these people that we value you and your contribution to our company, and we are thinking of you and miss your presence at our function.

Professor, Sports, Event, Tourism, and Business Management
Widener University

Are holiday parties/holiday socialization opportunities an effective way for business owners to show appreciation to their employees? Can they boost team morale?

The short answer is yes! Social gatherings in the workplace can accomplish many things from a business and human capital perspective. Here are a few key goals/outcomes:

• Employees can interact in a neutral environment, which allows them to get to know one another and often find common ground. This also allows for cross-departmental interactions and puts all employees on an equal playing field” (meaning one area is no more important than another).
• Social gatherings celebrate diversity and foster a sense of inclusiveness and belonging. This is especially impactful in culturally diverse workgroups where, for example, various cultural foods are offered, etc.
• They enforce company culture and core values, create opportunities for recognition, and create a sense of teamwork, bonding, and shared experiences.
• Of course, this allows for recognition and appreciation. It can send a message that employees matter and that the company acknowledges that in this tangible and festive way. All can boost morale!

When it comes to employee safety at company-sponsored holiday parties, what type of pre-planning is necessary? (i.e., limiting alcohol, expensing or organizing rideshares, and picking a central location)

Employee safety should also be of paramount importance. Some things that can help:

• If possible, hold it offsite (employees like a change of scenery and would appreciate a venue change)
• Try to hold it as centrally located as possible. This works for smaller companies but may be problematic for larger, more geographically spread-out companies. In that case, you may need several smaller parties closer to the employee base.
• More than likely, alcohol will be served at company-sponsored holiday parties. It is almost expected and adds to the festive atmosphere and experience. In most cases, employers are reluctant to limit the number of alcoholic drinks per employee; typically, it is an open bar. Companies can limit alcohol to beer and wine, which have lower ABVs than spirits.
• Also, the company can organize and offer some form of group transportation to and from the venue.
• Companies may also want to stop serving alcohol approximately an hour before the party ends.
• Finally, if it is held at a professional event venue, the staff should be trained on responsible alcohol service and be able to notice heavy drinking and early signs of intoxication. In that case, they should communicate with key company contacts who can arrange for a safe mode of transportation home for the employee(s) of concern.

How can managers help to ensure that their remote workers still feel valued when in-person holiday activities aren’t an option?

This is a tough situation. Employees who work primarily remotely cannot be physically present at a company holiday party, whether for distance or other reasons, so viable alternatives need to be explored. One option is a Zoom (or some other platform) virtual party. A time or times could be established when employees get online to socialize, etc.

A festive signature drink could be recommended, and the recipe could be sent in advance to employees to make on their own if they so choose. To compensate for the fact that employees are not getting food and beverages, etc., the company could send those employees festive holiday food baskets and thank you cards. Some of the same outcomes can still be accomplished virtually as in person by still having a virtual real-time meeting, while not as enriching as in person.