Partying down is the year-end mood at workplace
Molly Selvin

Corporate bosses eager to spread a bit of holiday cheer are getting a big ‘bah humbug’ from some of their employees.

Many workers say they’d rather skip the annual office party.

That cheerlessness reflects the stilted nature of many corporate holiday gatherings, experts say, as well as cascading family events during December. Many employees profess fear of making a boneheaded move in front of the boss after a couple of rum-laced eggnogs. Lawyers who handle workplace disputes say harassment cases predictably spike after holiday parties.

The forced cheeriness also can be awkward for many employees, says Mark Mehler, co-founder of CareerXroads, a recruiting and consulting company. “You’re socializing with people above you, people who are your peers and those you supervise,” he says, adding “not everyone’s a party animal.’

That would describe Gloria Smilovitch. A receptionist for the past four years at a law firm, Smilovitch says she’s not attending Friday night’s office gathering. “It’s nothing personal,” she says. “The job is great, the people are fine, but I’d rather not go.”

Nonetheless, many companies are staging lavish parties this year to thank employees and customers. Others also sponsor volunteer events for workers who want to celebrate the season by doing more than hoisting a glass of wine.

The lack of enthusiasm for the office party is reflected in a recent survey reporting that slightly more than half of employees say they don’t care whether the boss throws a holiday bash. A quarter said they felt obligated to attend.

Younger workers and those with the highest salaries — employees most eager for face time with the boss — feel more obligated than others to show up, according to Spherion Corp., a staffing company that commissioned the survey of 1,600 employees.

Despite widespread staff indifference, nearly 80 percent of human resource executives say their companies will throw a holiday party this year, a figure unchanged from a year ago, according to John Challenger, president of a outplacement business.

One in three companies say they will spend more on the event this year, reflecting improving corporate profits, Challenger said. But even if the company has performed poorly, executives may go ahead with a party to keep up appearances for customers and staff.

Canceling plans can be “a sign of Scrooge-like problems,” Challenger says.

Corporate events can range from a sedate wine and cheese reception to a lavish themed dinner featuring games and dancing that cost in excess of $2,00,000.

No matter the size of the event, lawyers see these gatherings as legal minefields, explaining why some employees stay home.

“People act as if there’s a suspension of the rules,” says Richard Simmons, a lawyer who has defended companies in such lawsuits. His caseload and those of his colleagues predictably rise each year after the holidays, he says.

LA Times-Washington Post