Christmas parties are a time-honored tradition in the workplace. They’re a chance to let your hair down, enjoy some festive cheer and get to know your colleagues outside of work. But this year, with Covid-19 still spreading across the country, many leaders are wondering if it’s worth hosting their work Christmas party. We are here to set the record straight on why NOT hosting an annual celebration may be far more detrimental to your workplace culture.
So how can something as simple as a Christmas party have such a profound influence on your company culture? Studies show that Christmas parties are essential for team bonding and fostering a positive work culture. They help to improve communication and relationships between colleagues and can even increase productivity in the workplace. Christmas parties are also a great way to show your appreciation for your employees’ hard work throughout the year.
When we think about the cliché office Christmas party it usually involves an awkward Secret Santa gift exchange, Christmas jumpers and an overindulgence of Christmas pudding. But the truth is, Christmas parties can be whatever you make of them. They can be a simple lunchtime gathering or a thrilling team building event. The important thing is that they’re a chance for your team to celebrate their achievements together and build stronger relationships with one another.
When planned with care the annual Christmas party can play a vital role in shaping your workplace culture for the year ahead. In fact taking a strategic approach can even get you a head start on new year goals and business objectives.
Let’s take a look at 5 reasons you simply cannot say no to this years Christmas do:
Retain Top Talent
Christmas parties are often thought of as a way to reward employees for their hard work throughout the year. But did you know that they can also be a key tool in employee retention?
According to research, the answer is yes. A study found that employees who felt their company Christmas party was a success were more likely to stay with the company for longer. In fact, the data showed that employees who had a great time at the Christmas party were 96% less likely to resign in the following year.
We all know the importance of retaining top talent especially in today’s tight job market. So, if you’re looking for a way to keep your team happy and engaged, hosting a Christmas party is a great place to start.
Not only will it show your employees that you care about their happiness, but it will also boost team morale and help create a strong culture within your team.
Set a Clear Vision for 2023
Christmas parties are also a great opportunity to set the stage for the year ahead. By aligning your Christmas party with your business objectives, you can ensure that everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goal.
For example, if your company’s objective is to double sales in 2023, you could use the Christmas party as a way to launch this initiative. You could start by sharing your vision for 2023 with your team and then get them excited about achieving this goal together.
So how does tying business objectives into a social setting like a Christmas party help? Turns out, it helps quite a bit actually. When individuals are given an opportunity to discuss their work in a social setting, they not only feel more comfortable talking about their accomplishments, but also feel more inclined to help others achieve success.
Team Connection
Christmas parties have been shown to be an important part of team culture and connection. In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing work environment, it’s more important than ever to create strong relationships within your team. And what better way to do that then by throwing a party!
Christmas parties provide an opportunity for team members to connect on a personal level and build relationships that can last long after the holiday season.
Reserach suggests that employees who have strong social ties with their co-workers are more likely to stay with the company for longer. Furthermore, these employees are more productive, have higher job satisfaction, and are more likely to receive promotions. So if you’re looking for a way to build a stronger team culture & connection, hosting a Christmas party is a great place to start.
Recognition
Christmas parties are also a great opportunity to show your employees how much you appreciate their hard work. Whether you give out awards, offer bonus opportunities, or simply take the time to thank them for their dedication, showing your employees that you recognize their efforts is a key part of engagement. 70% of employees say that their motivation and morale would improve massively with leaders simply saying thank you more.
As Richard Branson says… “Your clients are not the most important, your team is most important. Look after your team and they will look after your clients”.
FUN
Christmas parties are not just about eating, drinking and being merry. They’re also about having fun and enjoying yourself. And research shows that having fun at the Christmas party can have a profound effect on employees’ frame of mind.
Having fun simply makes people happy. And when people are happy, they’re more likely to be satisfied with their jobs and stay with their company for the long haul. An article published in Nature found a correlation between company Christmas parties and employee happiness. Happy employees tend to be more productive and engaged.
Having fun with our colleagues boasts a myriad of benefits that impact the workplace long after the Christmas party comes to an end. It boosts morale, motivation, creativity, productivity, profitability, and overall happiness. Most importantly, having fun improves quality of life for ourselves and those around us.
So if you’re on the fence about whether or not to host your work Christmas party this year, we say go for it! It may be just what your team needs to get through these tough times. And who knows, you might even have some fun in the process yourself!
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