7 Rules For Dealing With the Holidays at Work
The holiday season can create some very interesting vibes within a workplace. Your office can be filled with plenty of holiday spirit, or reach the peak of unwanted stress if it is not fully prepared. From all the holiday parties, gift exchanges, pay policies, schedule changes and other implications on normal work activities, you might experience a significant loss of productivity and mindfulness for the holidays. Here are 7 rules to help you deal with the holiday season at work.
Don’t Let the Holidays Get in the Way of Work
With holiday breaks just around the corner, try not to forget that you are still at work during work hours. Sometimes festivities can take up time from actual job duties and cause overall productivity to decrease. Don’t let yourself fall behind.
Don’t Force Anything on Anyone
If you’re a business owner, it’s wise to not force your employees to participate in activities they don’t want to do. From Secret Santa activities to attending a company holiday party, nobody should be forced into a “fun” workplace activity that they may not be interested in. Paul White, a psychologist, and contributor for TLNT, ran a survey of 1,200 plus respondents on correctly celebrating the holidays at work. Some of his key takeaways revolved around not forcing employees to participate (explicitly or implicitly) and leaving ample room for scheduling and time requirements during the holidays.
Adhere to Holiday Schedules and Pay Policies
Your business has responsibilities for the changes placed on employees’ working hours and pay. Business owners should notify their organization about holiday hours weeks in advance, and cater to the different levels of employee breaks and PTO requests that come in.
Respect Your Coworkers’ Beliefs
Not everyone celebrates the same holidays, nor do most people celebrate the holidays the same. Some might not celebrate at all, due to religious or cultural reasons. Be sensitive to your fellow coworker if they wish to not be apart of any festivities.
Be Mindful With Your Gifts
You may consider getting a gift for your fellow coworkers, your teams, or your boss. But keep in mind the different levels of power at play. Etiquette says that gifts at work should flow downward, not upward, because of the power dynamics in a boss/employee relationship. A simple thank you card or handwritten note can still go a long way for the holidays!
Manage Your Holiday Diets
Whether it be from individual coworkers bringing home-cooked meals, vendors sending appreciation to your office, or catered outings planned for office celebrations, food will make its way all over the place during the holidays. Maintain a schedule for all those festive treats on different days, and place a limit on these events to only a few days each week. Remember, not everyone may want to participate in these events, and you must respect that request throughout the season.
Behave Properly at the Holiday Parties
There’s plenty of room for fun at office holiday parties, but there’s no room for individuals who make a mess of themselves. Don’t do anything that will damage your professional reputation, as these are still work-related events. Dress appropriately, drink moderately and create opportunities to learn more about your colleagues in these events and develop your work relationships altogether.
