Halloween is coming up fast! Parents here in Polk County are busy pulling together costumes, buying candy in bulk, and planning for a night out of Trick-or-Treating with the kids. Did you know though, that it’s important for employers to plan for holidays? While business owners don’t necessarily have to think about their adult staff trick-or-treating or dressing up to get candy, it is important for them to be aware of various holidays and how they could be used to boost employee morale. It doesn’t take much time, or many resources, to make your office festive or make the work day friendlier to your employees’ need for family time on these special occasions. Remember, a happy staff is an effective staff, and we believe it’s good for your business when you have a team that enjoys being together in the office and who show up excited to represent your business name. So, how can you, as an employer, make holidays inclusive and fun in the office?
- Throw a Party! Let’s face it, even adults enjoy a good party. While the fun cupcakes and loaded treat bags of childhood classroom parties might not be the way you celebrate now, an office party to celebrate fun holidays is definitely an acceptable way to build community within your staff! Go all out with cubicle decorating or costume contests, or have a simple potluck for the day’s lunch break, diverting from the usual hum-drum routine of work with a fun, festive party. By putting individuals in charge of their own cubicle or costume choice, and having potluck style parties, you’re making sure the environment is inclusive for everyone, so those who don’t choose to celebrate that particular holiday, or those with food restrictions, can still take part in whatever way they choose.
- Encourage Involvement in Local Events. From sponsoring a local trunk-or-treat or Fall Festival, to handing out candy during a citywide trick-or-treating night, your business can make an impact on your community by playing a part in holiday events. This is not only a good way to give back, but it also offers free exposure for your brand, and that means more potential customers or clients for YOU. By joining together in a mutual goal of reaching the community and playing a part, your staff will be spending time together and building community. Winter Haven, Lakeland, and other cities here in Polk County, will be celebrating Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas with SO many events in the weeks ahead. How can your business play a part?
- Promote the Holiday AND Family Time. On some holidays parents of young children can experience work/life balance difficulties. Halloween for example, is notoriously difficult for working parents. Oftentimes, trick-or-treating kicks off a little before sundown, and for those who don’t get off work until 6 or 7, that’s a problem. It’s nearly impossible to take care of picking up kids from daycare or sitters, getting dinner taken care of, and getting into costumes in time to get candy before night falls and it becomes more dangerous to be out on the streets (not to mention neighborhoods and HOAs with time limits for trick-or-treating). As an employer, flexibility is key, and can go a long way in building a relationship with your staff. Trust us, if you are understanding and willing to work with them, they’ll be more likely to have your back when an unexpected deadline or office issue pops up. Consider offering an early release work day on holidays, or attempt to arrange the work schedule in such a way to allow for parents to make the holiday fun happen for their kids. At Brooks Law Group, we believe in strong families, and our employees trust us to care not just for them, but for their loved ones as well.
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We hope everyone here in Polk County has a safe and fun holiday season this year. We look forward to seeing all of you out and about enjoying the fun. We encourage you to practice safety and be sure to carry flashlights, follow the rules of the road as a pedestrian, and keep a close eye on the youngest trick-or-treaters or parade goers as we celebrate all of the festivities through the rest of the year.
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