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Susan M. Heathfield

Why Halloween Hi-jinx Should Frighten Employers

By , About.com GuideOctober 16, 2011

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Halloween celebrations in the office are motivational and fun for employees. I've written often about how Halloween and other celebrations are motivational and create an environment that is conducive to high employee morale.

But, Halloween celebrations in the office also bring their own set of challenges for the employer.

Although Halloween is meant to be a festive day, for some employers it could be more frightening than fun when employees celebrate Halloween in the office, says Dennis Donnelly, J. D. (pictured).

Image Copyright Dennis C. Donnelly

Let's take a look at the other side of the coin as you approach celebrating Halloween in your office. When employees fail to take sensitivity, diversity, and honoring differences to heart, law breaking, morale busting situations can occur in the office.

This year in my company, the adults are going out for a 2 Beer Friday and then going to a haunted house that is supposed to be very scary. Prior years of pumpkin carving have attracted fewer participants in recent years. But, we do have an annual event in which the children of employees dress up and come to the office to trick or treat. This is still popular even as our employees are aging and families are becoming the priority over pumpkin carving at work.

Perhaps in a couple of years when all of the children are older, pumpkin carving will be a priority again? In the meantime, many employees do dress up for work in costumes each year, too.

Image Copyright Nazarethman Productions

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