Halloween at Work: Tips for Inclusive Celebrations
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While workplace Halloween festivities can create an atmosphere that helps co-workers have fun and get to know each other, you also need to make sure the way you are celebrating is appropriate and fun. Let’s talk about some tips on how to make Halloween an inclusive celebration within the workplace.

 

Organizational Culture and Diversity:

When planning your office Halloween celebration, start by to considering your organization’s culture and its stance on diversity and inclusion. While Halloween is mostly secular, there are some people and religious groups that choose not to celebrate this holiday. Be mindful that some employees may choose not to participate in Halloween-related events. Communicate that Halloween in the workplace is an optional occasion and no one should feel obligated to join in. Encourage respect for the organization’s equal employment opportunity and diversity policies.

 

Halloween Costume Guidelines:

Costumes can be fun, but employees should exercise good judgment when choosing their outfits. If you choose to allow your employees to dress up at work, set up some guidelines that are cohesive with your company dress code policy to ensure their costumes are appropriate and do not offend anyone. The main goal is to prevent costumes that are perceived as offensive, disrespectful, or that violate dress codes. One great tip you can suggest is that costumes related to religious or political figures should be avoided.

 

Office Appropriate Celebrations

There are many different activities you can do during Halloween to bring your employees together for some fun to boost company culture. Some suggested activities are:

  • Pumpkin Decorating Contest– Create fun and friendly competition by allowing your employees to participate in a pumpkin decorating contest. The pumpkins can be displayed around the office, and they can vote on their favorite one.
  • Halloween Costume Contest– Allow your employees to appropriately dress up in their favorite costume. Those who choose to participate can parade around showing off their costumes. You can add some competition by having them vote for different categories such as favorite costume or most creative and award the winners with prizes.
  • Philanthropic Activities– SHRM suggests transforming Halloween into an opportunity to give back to the community by combining it with a charitable event. Consider allowing employees to wear costumes if they make a donation to a local charity or bring in a canned good to be donated to a local foodbank.
  • Provide an Opt-Out Option: Allow employees who do not wish to participate in the festivities to work from home or in a quieter environment on Halloween. Working in the midst of an office celebration can be difficult and by giving alternative work options for those who do not wish to celebrate shows respect and inclusion.
  • Early Leave– Consider letting your employees have an early dismissal on Halloween day to allow them extra time to get home and prepare for festivities and trick or treating with their family.

 

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Halloween in the workplace can be a fun and inclusive environment. By setting clear guidelines HR professionals can help create a celebration that is both enjoyable and respectful for all employees even during spooky season.