Celebrating Halloween in America has become a huge holiday.  In 2018 Halloween retail spending will be $9 billion which is only slightly less than 2017’s all-time record high of $9.1 billion.  Approximately 175 million will celebrate Halloween spending on average $86.79 per person.  As Halloween has become the 2^nd biggest commercial holiday in America, Halloween parties at work are also on the rise.  Recent studies have shown that celebrating Halloween is a great opportunity to increase fun and engagement and build camaraderie and social connections within teams at work.

According to a 2017 survey conducted by O.C. Tanner, having workplace Halloween celebrations and dressing up in costume at work has positive benefits and resulted in higher employee engagement.  The survey collected responses from more than 950 full-time employees who were asked if their company allowed them to wear a costume for the holiday.  The answers indicated that 45% of respondents said yes, 35% said no, and 20% were unsure.

61% of respondents believe that work places should allow their employees to dress in costume for the holiday, and those who were allowed to do so showed a higher engagement than those who weren't. Notably, 73% of survey respondents who were able to dress up for Halloween said they felt highly motivated to contribute toward their company’s success — versus only 58% for those who were not allowed.  According to Gary Beckstrand, vice president at O.C. Tanner, “Halloween is a great opportunity to increase engagement and well-being amongst teams.  But it’s less about the fact that people are dressing up or going to an office party, and more about the byproducts of allowing employees to do those types of things.” 

As employers make plans for their office celebrations providing clear guidelines for employees will ensure no one gets spooked and your event does not turn into a house of horrors.

• Set guidelines around using common sense when choosing a costume – needless to say, clear communications should be sent to employees well in advance to set guidelines around making sure costumes are office appropriate.  Costumes should not be to sheer, revealing, tight, or sexy.  Employees should also consider avoiding controversial costumes that could spark a heated debate (such as political costumes).  Employees should be made aware that culture shouldn’t be used as costume. No matter how costume-like another culture’s clothing or attire may seem, wearing it as a costume may be offensive to some employees.   Sharon Schweitzer, modern manners expert and cross-cultural business consultant advises, “In many cultures, each stitch, sandal, makeup application, or earring has significant meanings cultivated for distinct and important purposes.  Portraying this in any manner that lessens that initial significance can be dehumanizing”.  Basic rule of thumb to share with employees, if they think the costume may be offensive or over-the-top, it probably is.

• Pick a theme – employers may want to consider having a theme for their Halloween party as this may help make it easier for employees to pick office appropriate costumes.

• Skip the gruesome decorations – even if the bloody, gory Freddy Krueger decorations from the movie Nightmare on Elm Street is all in good fun, not all employees may appreciate looking at it all day.  Avoid noisy Halloween devices that eventually get old and annoying.  Autumn decorations such as pumpkins and fall foliage may be a safer bet.

• Be respectful – Halloween may be counter to some employee’s spiritual or religious views.  Some employees simply don’t want to celebrate.  Regardless of the reason, and frankly you don’t need to know why, just simply respect it and know employees have a right to participate or not. When planning festivities avoid forcing people to dress up.  If employees are decorating their cubicles make sure creepy decorations and other movement activated items don’t infringe on the workspace of others.

• Nothing is private – remind employees that before they choose a costume, nothing in this day and age is private.  Pictures can show up on social media to haunt them for years to come.

• Headstone decorations shouldn’t touch a nerve – while it may intended be funny, don’t use real names on fake tombstones especially those of employees.  It may be upsetting to some individuals and using employee names could be cause for a complaint or worst-case scenario, evidence to show a hostile work environment.

• Pack a bag – remind employees that it is still a work day and that they need to be able to function in their costumes.   Some costumes can be hot and uncomfortable and restrict movement.  Employees may want to bring a change of clothes and makeup remover especially in the case of an unexpected client visit.

Keeping these simple common-sense rules in mind will ensure your office Halloween party is a success! 

ASE is joining in the fun this year and is allowing employees to dress up.  Keep an eye out on our social media pages for pictures!  We also celebrated with a pumpkin carving contest.  Happy Halloween!

Sources: CNBC 10/30/2017, Mic 10/30/2017