What employees love and hate about the holidays

What employees love and hate about the holidaysWhat employees love and hate about the holidaysThere are many factors to how holidays are handled in the workplace. Work schedules and demands, time off, decorations, and holiday parties all factor into how the season is incorporated into an office space and received by the employees who work there.Last year, we polled our readers to find out what they loved and hated about holidays in the workplace. We received nearly 3,000 responses We explored both the good AND the bad because, well, thats life While we attempt to focus on the positive and provide hope for improving workplaces, we are also committed to being realitys includeschadstoff exchanges among colleaguesholiday meals togetherlistening to Christmas and holiday music at workattending work-related holiday celebrations after work.The conclusion from these seemingly conflicting results? Reading the stories people shared shed some light on the issue. First,people are different(surpri se). Some like certain activities, while others dislike them. Secondly, and possibly more importantly,how the activity was doneseems to have a big impact on peoples responses. Was generosity involved (or did employees have to pay or do the work themselves)? Were the interactions respectful or rude and hurtful?The worst of the badWe asked people to write and tell us examples of theirworstholiday experience related to work. You can read samples of themy worst holiday work experiencestories submitted by over 900 readers. Im sure youll have similar reactions as I did to some (Youve got to be kidding me).There were several, common, repetitive themes from the example stories shared. Each of the following topics had numerous examples given.having to work on the holidays or having to use PTO for the holidaya lack of focus on the holidays, not being able to celebrate Christmas (as opposed to a winter celebration, but also examples of being from a different religious background and feeling fo rced to celebrate Christmas)negative behaviors and poor judgment resulting from excessive consumption of alcoholembarrassing experiences during White Elephant/Secret Santa schadstoff giving.How to turn what I hate into what I loveIf we only report the results without giving some practical suggestions, this exercise is a waste of time. So here are somepractical tips for employers and managersthat can be gleaned from the resultsLeave ample timefor employees to work on the extra year end tasks and reports. Be aware that people feel a time crunch both in their personal lives as well as at work.Whenever possible, dont create artificial deadlines for work to be completed.If possible, let some of the tasks and reports be done in January.Dont forceyour employees to participate in gift giving exchanges (explicitly or implicitly). In fact, see how many people really want to participate considernotdoing a gift exchange activitythe irritation created may not be worth the effort and keeping to p rior tradition.Be sensitiveto scheduling issues and time requirements during the holidays, especially with regards to after work hours events.If you are going to have a meal to celebrate,provide the food(or at least the main course) and account for those who dont eat meat.The best of the goodWhen asked what aspects of the holiday season they enjoy the most, time off work came in at the top. It was closely followed, though, by things that fall into the category of the spirit of the season Christmas lights, listening to Christmas and holiday music, extra time with family and friends, the spiritual meaning of the holidays, and family traditions.When asked what they enjoy about things that happenat their workplaceduring the holidays, time off work was the clear winner. The other top responses involved sharing holiday meals with co-workers, enjoying Christmas cookies and holiday snacks, receiving a bonus, and having a special holiday party.When people sent us responses about theirfavorit ework-related holiday stories, we were touched by the stories that wereboth fun and heart-warming.SuggestionsAs I have stated previously to leaders and HR professionals, you cant please everyone, so be ready for some negative responses, criticisms, and suggestions for what to do differently next year. These types of comments will almost certainly happen, so be ready, and dont let them discourage you.Just as people differ, so do groups. If at all possible, get input from the group (or representatives) ahead of time. Listen to what they dont want to do, and avoid those activities. And try to incorporate at leastsomeof what they suggest into the plan for next years celebrations.Finally, adopt a positive attitudeSmile,laugh,enjoy the food and your friends.Consider the desires and preferences of others.Determine to have a good timeregardless of other peoples reactions.Chances are good that you willThis article was originally published on AppreciationAtWork.