Monday Morning Musings-Company Parties, Reward or Punishment

Many of us have horror stories about company parties at which we feel compelled to sing karaoke against our will or play mean-spirited, competitive games.  Some employers don't really want to throw the party in the first place but it is an annual tradition.  Those events are doomed from the beginning.  A former colleague was actually criticized in his review for failing to attend the company picnic.  What is the point of such gatherings?  Throw an event for the right reasons if you choose to do so.  Consider an anonymous survey asking employees if they want to participate in company parties. Consider having them at irregular intervals, like after a stellar year or project to truly express appreciation for a job well done.  If you throw the party as a true employee appreciation event, act like it.  You cannot force people to have fun.  Do not humiliate or degrade them with awards like "Slacker of the Year."  Think about important things like whether alcohol will be provided, given obvious liability concerns should an inebriated employee drive drunk and injure themselves or others.  


Remember, employment laws still apply, so sexual harassment, discriminatory jokes and behaviors cannot be tolerated.  Everyone is still essentially in the workplace in the eyes of the law and must conduct themselves accordingly.  


When all is said and done, I wonder how many employees really enjoy these events and how many consider it just another job requirement.  Yet, done in a workplace where there is genuine daily respect and appreciation for employees, maybe it can work as intended.  But, have the right intentions. If the workplace is toxic, the parties will be as well.  What are your thoughts?
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