It’s holiday party time!

It’s time for articles about the pleasures, perils, and excesses of company holiday parties (f/k/a “Christmas” parties in less politically correct times).

So today I have a selection of links on the subject, together with my synthesis of facts and suggestions from them.

This is part of a pattern I’m beginning to notice. Certain job-related topics make annual seasonal appearances in my news reading. Valentine’s Day predictably brings articles about the perils of workplace romance, for example.

Trends:

“It’s not cool anymore to have lavish, over-the-top parties.” “Instead, companies are cultivating an image of being ‘conservative, law-abiding, absolutely squeaky-clean’.”
94% of businesses will throw a holiday celebration, up 7% increase from 2005.
One survey shows 86 % of companies that throw parties will serve alcohol, up from 75 % last year. Another shows 60 % of holiday parties featuring alcohol, up from 54 % last year.
Almost one-third of companies surveyed are spending more to celebrate the holidays this year.
Companies are spending the extra cash primarily on alcohol and off-site venues.
It appears that at one time concerns about corporate liability for sexual harassment caused office parties to fizzle; now the pendulum is swinging back, as companies have developed more confidence in employees to do the right thing, whether using designated drivers or simply drinking responsibly in a business situation.
Only 38% of 110 midsize and large companies say their celebrations will include gift-giving this year, down significantly from the booming late 1990s, when 51% gave gifts in 1998 and 49% did so in 1999.

Benefits:

Good way to show employees you appreciated their efforts throughout the year.
Generates loyalty and promotes friendships among employees that strengthen their ties to company.

Suggestions for employers:

Aim for party festive enough to be enjoyable, but controlled enough to minimize liability risks.
Aggressive, embarrassing, or even harassing incidents often can be traced back to an open bar, so limit drinks or hire professional bartender who knows how to spot overindulgence — and how to politely cut people off.
Make sure there are plenty of non-alcoholic beverages available.
Avoid serving lots of salty, greasy or sweet foods which tend to make people thirsty. Instead, serve foods rich in starch and protein, which stay in the stomach longer and slow the absorption of alcohol.
Invite spouses.
Arrange for free taxi service.
Remind employees that the party location is an extension of the office.
Designate party managers. Remind managers that even at the office party, they may need to implement the company’s alcohol and substance abuse policy.
Start and end early. Stop serving alcohol before the party officially ends.

Suggestions for employees:

It’s best to attend; if not, you can get “pegged as the employee with the bad attitude.” The biggest mistake people make is not showing up. But it’s OK to leave early.
Watch this video.
Think of the party not as a party, but as a business event — an extension of the workday. “The fact that it’s fun is deceptive,” says a psychoanalyst and adviser to chief executives. “And that’s what makes it so dangerous.”
“When you go to an office party, your job is to ensure that the next day you have a job.”
“Say hello to your boss, or whoever approves your raise and reviews your performance.” Network with people you don’t normally work with, but try not to talk about work too much. “This is not the time to approach your boss with a new business idea. Instead, find out about his or her interests outside of the office.”
“While it’s appropriate to have a drink or two, remember the Office Party Golden Rule: Don’t do anything you’d be embarrassed to read about in the company newsletter.” “Remember, holiday party disasters don’t just last a night, they follow you to the office.”
Dress appropriately. “Ladies, anything with the word “skin” (e.g. skin tight, skin baring) in it is a bad idea. Guys, keep everything buttoned and zippered and you’ll be ok.”
Bring Your Spouse — They be a helpful diversion when you’re cornered by co-workers you really don’t know.

Stories:

Manager witnesses employee wrap shrimp in a napkin and stuff it into her purse.
Woman shows up dressed as a sexed-up elf — in miniskirt, a push-up bra that left little to the imagination, and Santa hat — especially awkward since the other guests were in business dress.
Employees caught smuggling bottles of wine out of party.
Monday after party, several employees create their very own “Holiday Party Academy Awards”: Most Indiscreet. Drunkest. Sluttiest Dresser. . . .

Sources:

For an easy way to browse through these sources, just click here” and follow my trailfire.com trail by using the arrows at the top of the trailfire “sticky note” to follow my “trail.”