Keeping the office festivities sacred
So, this is kind of silly. But 80 percent of companies plan to hold holiday parties this year - up for 70 percent last year - and 23 percent of these are increasing the budget for their fetes by five to 20 percent, per a recent survey of 100 HR execs.
I don't really know how statistically significant the findings from aptly named outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas are, but their tips for how to safeguard an office party where alcohol's being served might be worth noting. After all, the firm's survey found that 54 percent of the companies hosting holiday parties this year plan to serve booze.
The firm's tips include ...
01. Alcohol shouldn't be the event's focus. Employ music, dancing games and food as diversions, and opt for high-protein and high-carb foods to slow the body's absorption of alcohol. If you've got employees on Atkins, I guess that means a lot of meat and cheese.
02. Invite employees' spouses and partners to encourage them to be on their best behavior (unless, that is, they're married to someone like Kevin Spacey's character in American Beauty).
03. Hire a professional bartender and limit the number of drinks per person by handing out drink tickets to people 21 and older and wristbands to underage employees.
04. Collect car keys before the party and return them only to the sober guests.
05. Switch from alcohol to coffee, water and other non-alcoholic drinks at least an hour before the party's planned end.