NEW YORK—Halloween is just around the corner, and many companies have now decided what they plan to do for Halloween celebrations at work.

For employers who may still be undecided, here is some information you may wish to consider.

Employees like celebrating Halloween, according to the results of a 2013 Glassdoor Halloween Survey, and not just because they enjoy free candy. Employees said they see value in celebratory events at work.

Employees who participated in the survey said that employer-hosted events in general:
• Boost morale (59 percent);
• Support team building (50 percent);
• Build company culture (40 percent);
• 49 percent said they see work events as a chance to connect with employees in different departments; and
• 43 percent said the events help connect people across various levels.

Halloween celebrations don’t have to be elaborate to make your employees happy. The survey asked employees to list the type of Halloween celebrations they most enjoy:
• Decorations (42 percent);
• Free candy (40 percent);
• Halloween breakfast or lunch (31 percent);
• A during-business hours party at the office (29 percent); and
• A costume contest (27 percent).

Now the caveat: If you decide to allow costumes, there's always the risk of somebody pushing the costume limit. One way to keep things safe is to enforce the rules you already have as policy to govern employee attire. Those rules probably include a dress code that puts some limitations on what constitutes appropriate coverage. And remind employees that they are still at work, even though it is a more social conversation.

So if you have not yet decided to have holiday celebrations—Halloween, Thanksgiving or year-end celebrations—give some thought to the advantages to your business of doing so. Your employees may very likely appreciate your leadership in “sponsoring” these events and your participation.

Hedley Lawson, Contributing Editor
Managing Partner
Aligned Growth Partners, LLC
707-217-0979
hlawson@alignedgrowth.com
www.alignedgrowth.com