The outlandish, drunken office Christmas party used to be a staple of popular culture, namely television, books, and movies. Now it has dropped out of the imagination; the only example I can think of recently is Office Christmas Party, a goofily ridiculous comedy from 2016 starring Jennifer Anniston and TJ Miller. Are office holiday parties a thing of the past? Or have we simply stopped noticing?
During the 1950s, holiday office parties were a mixer saturated with alcohol and gushing with twelve months of pent-up frustrations at coworkers and bosses. Thanks to Mad Men, and its damning portrayal of office Christmas parties, we know the mixer was synonymous with reckless behavior: gin in the water coolers, clothes strewn around the company halls, and people grappling with growing feelings of seclusion. It was the time when holiday parties played a significant role in climbing the corporate ladder. Career counselors advised ambitious men and women that skipping a holiday mixer was like ending your career: A boss spends thousands of dollars on food and booze and you don’t show? You might as well moon him on a Monday morning in the office!
By now, workers were getting tired of the seasonal obligations; at work, schools and family. Many wished they would have simply taken a day off rather than attend an obligated ‘off’ day at work. During the 1970s and 1980s, holiday office parties had become a slow, unhurried affair. There were exceptions, of course – drugs and orgies became a common thing. By the 90s, companies were now fearful of exposing themselves to hounds of regulators amidst the cash-strapped economy. The traditional office mixer had become outdated and immature.
As far as corporate logic goes, office Christmas parties are to foster and strengthen working relationships. Turns out, it’s far from its intended purpose. As per a 2007 Columbia University study, most employees stick to their existing pool of office friends during a mixer. A company function can rarely leave a lasting impact on office dynamics.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der October 2017-Ausgabe von The HR Digest.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der October 2017-Ausgabe von The HR Digest.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Fast-Food Workers May Soon Have Scheduling Rights
Recently, New York City became the third and largest major U.S. city to give fast-food workers scheduling rights.
UK Workers Feel Frustrated By Flatlining Pay
Workers in the UK feel frustrated because their pay has been flat lined for a decade.
Want To Be An Engineer For Jaguar? Play games!
Recruiters are coming up with innovative ways to test the eligibility of their employees but the automaker Jaguar leaves behind others in this field.
the growing problem of united states youth unemployment
for the first time in last few decades, the united states’ unemployment rate is steadily dropping - hovering below six percent.
Make 2017 One Of The Best Years Ever!
A list of fun social activities to do with your workmates!
That's What She Said!” Are You Ready To Handle Millennials Office Affairs?
You may say, it’s a brave new world for office romance, especially among young millennial cubicles. Almostonethird believe it is acceptable to dip your pen in company ink.
Should Employees Receive Compensation For Off-The-clock Phone Use?
A majority of European Union (EU) employers struggle to make sense of the mandatory vacation entitlements. In the EU, the law provides employees with mandatory levels of vacation. For instance, in the UK, a full-time employee is entitled to take 28 vacation days, while in France, employees are entitled to 5 weeks of vacation (in addition to public holidays).
Daca – Employers And What Is Means For Employees
President Donald Trump has announced the decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which has provided removal protection and temporary work permits to nearly 800,000 undocumented immigrants who entered the U.S. as children.
Furry Creatures Going Around Your Workplace
When this concept of bringing pets to work was initially brought up, it seemed like a fun activity to do once in a while to lift up the spirits at the workplace. This gave rise to the celebration of a special day wherein the employees would bring their pets to work.
Modern Workplace Problems
Immigrant Workers’ Rights.
