Forget champagne fountains or a private DJ set from David Guetta. Your office holiday party this year is more likely to be a not-so-boozy potluck, a pickleball match, or some virtual trivia.
Driving the news: Corporate party planners have noticed a shift this year in holiday parties. Out are the bashes where the entire office and their significant others rage into the night. In are quieter events, with only team members, featuring group activities like guac making.
- One company switching gears is Vancouver’s Hootsuite, which traded late-night keggers for in-office gatherings that cater to workers who need to get home early.
Why it’s happening: The pandemic completely changed how offices function, including how they host holiday parties. After being forcibly paused early in the pandemic, a growing number of holiday parties have not returned to their old ways or have stayed entirely online.
Other factors include:
-
Hybrid homebodies. The widespread introduction of hybrid and remote work has made employees less willing to spend a whole night away from their homes.
-
Budgets. In a year filled with layoffs and budget cuts, companies want to save money (and save face) by skipping out on lavish parties in favour of low-key shindigs.
- Changing opinions on alcohol. More workers, especially younger ones, dabble in sobriety and aren’t interested in getting plastered — especially around their bosses.
Why it matters: Silly as they seem, festive gatherings matter for morale.
- A recent study on work holiday parties (it’s real, we promise) found that holiday parties seem to be important annual events that employees look forward to.
Bottom line: The keys to a successful fête, according to researchers? A rousing speech — or a few — and a mix of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.—QH