Changes in Corporate Holiday Parties May Help Save Money … and Careers

About 85% of employers plan to have an employee year end party, but 15% say that inappropriate employee behavior at holiday parties in the past has impacted an individual’s career growth in the company. This, according to findings from the 2007 Battalia Winston Annual Survey of Corporate Holiday Celebrations.

And while many planners are probably familiar with post-party recap stories that they are paid not to share (such as those that affect some careers), it seems that some event planners may have implemented strategies that could have contributed to those stories:

• In 1998, 81% held evening parties.
• In 2000, 16% offered discount hotel rooms (to address drinking and driving).
• In 2002, 80% served alcohol.

Nevertheless, employees and employers alike overlook the sometimes uninhibited indescretions of a few because holiday parties are great morale builders. And learning from some lessons of the past, 2007 survey results show that some event planners are incorporating new approaches, such as managing alcohol consumption, hosting parties in the afternoon, and even moving their events to the office.