You may find it’s getting harder to plan a workplace holiday season celebration. While these events can help boost business culture and recognize top performers, employees may not want what you’ve offered in the past.
Recently, on LinkedIn, I asked my connections about their favorite kind of holiday season celebration. Here are the results, which may surprise you:
- How about some extra time off: 53%
- A big bash off-site: 26%
- Give me a gift card and I’m good: 16%
- Ugly sweater competition: 4%
Have Workplace Holiday Season Celebration Preferences Changed?
The sample size of my survey isn’t large enough to make it scientific. Take it with a grain of salt.
But ask yourself whether the results might hold some truth. With many spending more and more time, working from home, preferences may have changed, when it comes to business social activities.
Let’s dive a little deeper into the survey results.
Extra Time Off
The majority of the respondents don’t want to gather for a celebration. In fact, they’d like more time away from their jobs.
For some organizations, it may be cheaper to give employees extra time off, rather than pay for a big party.
Consider if this is a sign your workplace culture has shifted from a team focus to everyone preferring to be on their own.
A Big Bash
This is the traditional office party. Lots of food, drink, and family members are invited. These events give people a chance to see a less formal side of one another.
Some businesses no longer hold these events due to the cost or concerns about liability. And some may have changed the celebrations to more of a family friendly, afternoon barbecue.
If your business is having some financial challenges that could result in things like layoffs, paying for a big party may no longer make sense.
A variation on this kind of event sees individual departments have their own workplace holiday season celebration. Since it’s smaller, it has more of an intimate feel and can build teamwork.
The Gift Card
While gift cards are easy to buy, it can be challenging to pick the store and the amount.
Some will choose a grocery store, as everyone needs to eat. Movie theaters or a popular shopping website are other options.
Be careful when choosing the amount. The larger your staff, the more the total grows. But if the gift card amount is too low, then it could become a turnoff.
Think about how much you would spend, per employee, on some of the other options. With the gift card, you just have to buy it and then pass it out. You’re not having to invest much staff time.
Don’t Sweat the Sweater Contest
People like ugly sweater contests but it sounds like they may prefer them outside their jobs. Again, this may be sign that after working more from home, they’re not as interested in interacting with coworkers.
As a leader, your challenge may be finding ways to build employee culture, at a time when people don’t want to spend a lot of time in the same room as their coworkers.
And the ugly sweater contest may be something that people would be willing to do but don’t think of it as reward from management.
Let’s Create a Memorable Meeting
