Greetings dear readers!It's that time of year for spreading cheer, or at least avoiding cynicism and depression until they are over. Personally, the holidays, well, just Christmas, depress me a bit. Celebrating in the workplace is generally awkward at best and downright miserable and wrong at worse.
So, my gift to you this year, dear reader, are my tips for getting through the holidays at work.
Bosses, I'm talking to you...
1. This is the big one. If you haven't given raises or cost of living increases to your employees all year, no one wants to go to your lavish home for a 'mandated' office party. Honestly, they do not. One dear reader was forced to attend their boss' house party last year after a third year of no pay increases despite substantial income producing successes for the company stemming from her efforts. While at his home, his wife gleefully hosted a tour of the "House That New Money Built." The tour included a viewing of their art collection of which, as if seeking sympathy, she exasperatingly shared the price for each piece. While your staff will not be comfortable staging "Occupy My Boss' House," they'll wish they could.2. Again, if you haven't given raises or cost of living increases to your employees all year, taking them to a lavish lunch (or dinner) is frankly, lame. Take the $50 per plate and give them the cash. Even a token amount will be well appreciated. A bag of groceries is more meaningful than a lavish lunch.
3. If your company is actually practicing austerity measures from the top down, a BYOBFD (Booze, Food and Desserts) party or cheap lunch will only be a sad reminder of how broke the company is. Instead, give your staff an extra two days (paid) off. Christmas is on a Sunday this year, so, let your employees take Friday and Monday off. C'mon. You know it's in the budget. Besides, how much work really gets done on those days? Not only will your employees be grateful to you, so will their families.4. If you know your employees will be pitching in to buy you a gift, insist, and insist LOUDLY, that they NOT do that. Tell them, preferably in writing, that the gift they bring to you is the amazing contribution of talent and hard work that they give to your company.
Employee Survival TipSo, if you’re stuck having to do one of the above and your job doesn't require drug testing, bake some weed brownies, bring them to the party as your contribution (for your colleagues only-and let them know!) and don't drink (especially if alcohol serves as a truth serum for you). This way, you can enjoy the hypocrisy of the event, find it funny and your boss will only think you're having a great time.
So here's to hoping you get through the holidays at work!
As an alternative to holiday party hoopla, reach out to a homeless shelter* and get your office to adopt several families to purchase gifts for. Many shelters won’t have a problem allowing you to meet the families that will receive your bounty. This is not only in the holiday spirit; it builds team spirit as well. Another option is to give a shelter the gift of volunteerism-as a company, commit a number of volunteer hours for the next year and ask them how you could be useful. Or, if actual eye-eye contact with people in need is hard on the boss, organize a financial contribution to a homeless shelter on behalf of your company and get everyone to sign the card.
*Homeless shelters are Ms. Tannanbaum’s charity of choice. Choose your own. Just one that helps people in need. Not the local chamber of commerce, museums, dance companies or the boss' alma mater.
Ms. Tannanbaum's favorites charities:
The amazing work of Mark Horvath: Invisiblepeople.tv
The production of a powerful documentary about homelessness: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1550578903/home-a-kindling-group-documentary?ref=live
The Buffalo Boy Foundation: thebuffaloboyfoundation.org
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