New York Lawyer
January 8, 2004

Q:
I work at a small midtown firm. Recently, my boss hosted a holiday party at the office and didn't invite any employees. Is it me, or was this an incredibly inconsiderate thing to do -- keeping in mind that there was no holiday office party otherwise?

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A:

No, it�s not you. It�s the bozo you work for who is so penny-wise in his/her cost savings for a holiday party that it isn�t apparent how pound-foolish it is in the long run to cut out the employees. Indeed, a lavish holiday wing-ding can look rather frivolous against a grim economic backdrop. But the answer, of course, is to have a modest party and include everybody.

Holiday parties loom large in people�s imaginations. Most people (even while professing to hate office parties) value the invitation and often feel it�s one of the few times they get a perk for the work they do. It�s an unvarnished thank you, aside from their pay check. It�s also a time when barriers come down, at least a little, and everyone mingles, or tries to. It serves a useful purpose of reminding the whole office that everyone�s in their professional enterprise together, sending a message of unity.

So cutting out one �class� of people is a surefire way to alienate them in a big hurry, out of all proportion to the money saved. People see all their friends going off to their holiday parties, feel devalued and even hurt, and store away their bitterness, minimizing their motivation for future good performance.

You don�t have to do a fancy party. Play some CD�s, pour beer and wine, hang a few candy canes and call it a night. But invite everyone if you want a healthy and helpful work atmosphere once the party�s over.

Sincerely,
Holly English
Principal Consultant, Values at Work