Halloween in the Workplace? It Depends…

Halloween Will Soon Be Upon Us — Are You Prepared?

In addition to personally getting ready for Trick or Treating or costume parties with friends, a 2007 Halloween-practices survey by vault.com found that employees at an increasing number of companies are getting into the holiday as well.

Of course, the type of celebration will vary by workplace. Halloween costumes may not be safe in a manufacturing environment, and it’s probably best to avoid dressing as the Grim Reaper if you work in an Emergency room. (Believe it or not, it’s been done. It didn’t go over well.)

So, while you’re getting your costume, your treats, and your tricks ready for the season, remember the following tips to keep your workplace Halloween from turning ghoulish.

What to Do: Employers and Managers

Make sure your employees know that taking part in activities like wearing costumes is optional. While Halloween activities provide a great opportunity to build office camaraderie and goodwill, nothing kills the mood like being forced to participate.

Give your employees clear guidelines up front about what is and is not acceptable. No one likes a guessing game when their performance review could be on the line.

Let your employees take the lead on creating the celebrations (within the established company guidelines), and let yourself be part of their team. This will help build your relationship with them, and give them a sense of ownership and responsibility for your common workplace culture.

What to Do: Employees

Pitch in! The best way to make your voice heard about any planned activities is to be a part of planning and making them happen. Besides, you have an opportunity here to demonstrate your team spirit — without attending another three-hour meeting.

Be clear — diplomatically — about activities that are within, and outside of, your comfort zone. If your religion forbids you from wearing a costume (of if the idea of doing so causes you to break into a sweat of embarrassment), make sure to let your supervisor know.

What to Avoid - No Matter Your Role at Work

Intoxication. This should go without saying, because it’s never a good idea to get drunk while at work. You might not remember what you did at the office party, but your boss and/or co-workers almost certainly will.

Excessive Exposure. You may have always dreamed of being an exotic dancer or a loincloth-wearing he-man, but the office is not the place to let loose your inner dreams with sexy costumes. Overly-revealing costumes might give rise to sexual harassment claims; besides, this is a party, but it’s still a work party.

Politics. You may think that Barack Obama or ~~John McCain~~ Sarah Palin is the coolest thing to hit politics in years — or the opposite — but the office Halloween party is not the place to emulate your favorite political hero or lampoon your favorite political villain with a mask or costume. Politically-themed masks or costumes can make others uncomfortable, or worse, invite an outright argument.

Halloween Costume Mask of John McCain

Think About It. Our workplaces are increasingly matching our country as a whole as places where diverse people gather in close company. Therefore, as you’re picking out your costume and choosing your office activities, avoid anything that might give offense based on ethnicity, religion or race. This isn’t about being “politically correct” — it’s is about making sure your co-workers can also enjoy, and not feel uncomfortable or hurt about, this office activity that’s supposed to belong to all of you.

Thanks to Dawn Wolfe for her assistance in preparing this post.

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