Has your team been less motivated than you’d like lately? Maybe it’s because you’re entering a busy season, as production and sales often ramp up around the holiday season. The last quarter of the year is, in fact, the busiest for many businesses.
If you haven’t thought about having a corporate holiday party, or if you decided to do away with it this year, you might want to rethink the plan. A holiday party might be exactly what your team needs to boost morale after a busy, productive season.
1. A Corporate Holiday Party Shows Your Appreciation
Your employees want to know all their hard work and effort have paid off. More than that, though, they want to know you saw how hard they worked and that you appreciate their efforts.
Throwing a holiday party is one of the easiest ways to say “thanks” to your employees. This is especially true if your business has had a busy season or a spectacular year for growth. If the year’s been challenging, it’s a great way to thank the team for rising to those challenges.
Feeling appreciated gives your employees a sense of satisfaction. They’ll know how much you value them.
2. It Gives Them a Chance to Relax
Another way a corporate holiday party can boost morale around the office is by allowing your employees to finally relax and unwind. This is important whether the year has been challenging or particularly busy.
If you hold your party right before the holidays, it could be a great way to wrap up a hard year of work and thank your employees. If you hold it in January, you could have the same reaction. Finally, if you hold it earlier, it could be a great break in the middle of the busy season.
3. Your Staff Have a Chance to Mix and Mingle
How often do members of different teams and departments get to spend quality time with each other? If you’re very busy, even team members or people who work in the same department may not feel like they have time to truly socialize with each other.Employees often report higher satisfaction levels when they have friends at work.
The corporate holiday party offers an excellent opportunity for your employees to get to know each other and create memories together. In many ways, it’s a great team-building exercise.
4. They Can Share a Meal Together
Are you serving lunch or dinner at your corporate holiday party? If so, you’re giving your employees a chance to share a meal together.
Research indicates sharing a meal is a cornerstone in building relationships. It gives people a chance to talk, catch up, and even share their cultures with each other. If your catered meal includes dishes from all around the world or employees’ various cultural traditions, you’re giving them a helping hand at forging these connections.
5. It’s Fun
Ever hear the phrase “all work and no play makes Johnny a dull boy”? It’s certainly true for your employees. Studies have shown Canadians don’t take nearly enough time off.
If you can give your employees some time off to attend the corporate holiday party, do so. You’re giving them a chance to take a break and recharge. Having fun is an important way of keeping your employees engaged and productive.
6. It Showcases Company Health
Another reason the holiday party is so important to employee morale is because it signals corporate health. Companies that scale back or do away with their party are suggesting the company may be in dire financial straits.
You don’t need to go all out or spend a ton of money to throw an amazing corporate holiday party either. Even a small get-together will tell your employees things are okay.
