HR: Halloween Celebrations in the Workplace
Halloween isn't just a celebration for kids anymore. An increasing number of businesses are also celebrating this holiday. According to a recent survey from the Society of Human Resource Management more than 1/3 of employers offer Halloween celebrations.
On the positive side, celebrating Halloween in the workplace can bring some much needed fun and help to release stress and tension. It can be a great occasion for employers and employees to get to know each other better and create more effective working relationships. It can also help to promote teamwork, improve morale and create a positive company culture. On the negative side, employers should exercise caution, as holiday celebrations can open businesses up to employment law issues, such as harassment and discrimination.
In order for Halloween to be a positive experience, it's important for organizations to strike a balance between having fun and retaining a professional atmosphere. This is possible with a little advanced planning and sensitivity. It's vital for employers to issue guidelines so that respect is given to the diverse opinions of all employees.
Some suggested guidelines include:
- Make wearing costumes optional.
- Clearly communicate costume guidelines in advance.
- Reminding employees to use good judgment with respect to fellow employees and costume choices.
- Discourage costumes based on ethnicity, religion or race.
- Discourage tricks or pranks.
- Offer alternative celebrations, such as a fall luncheon, a pumpkin bowling contest, a pumpkin decorating contest or candy apple making.
In the end, the decision to celebrate Halloween in the workplace is up to the employer. Whether an organization chooses to celebrate Halloween or some other holiday, I believe it's important for employees to come together during the year as workmates and teammates to take a break, relax and have fun.