How to Balance the Magic of Halloween and Professionalism in Your Office

Each year Halloween brings a spirit of fun to our homes and neighborhoods. Halloween decorations adorn the porches of our houses. Roads are chock a block with cars filled with kids going trick or treating. The question is whether the spirit of Halloween should be invited into the workplace or just be left at home. Surely there is room for Halloween fun in the most formal of workplaces.

So, what are the pros and cons of adding spice to the workplace with a little Halloween fun?

Would you come to the office dressed in a Halloween costume? For many of us, the answer is an affirmative no! Many thoughts cross the mind such as what will the boss and clients think? However, a festive Halloween environment may be beneficial as research shows.

What does the research say for the pro Halloween at work side?

953 full-time employees were asked, “Does your place of employment allow employees to dress up and wear a costume to work on Halloween?”

Results were mixed with

• Forty-five percent replying yes,
• Thirty-five percent replying no and;
• 20 percent uncertain.

The big however is-

• 61 percent of employee respondents said that they believe that employees at their organization should be able to dress up on Halloween.

Higher Levels of motivation, employee pride and engagement

The survey also found that those who could dress up at work had higher levels of employee engagement. Findings indicated that 73% of the respondents that could dress up for Halloween had high levels of motivation to contribute to their firm. 68% of respondents (from the Halloween dress up group) were proud to tell others that they work for the organization.

Closer Collegial Relationships

Callie Johnson writing for Paycom says celebrating festive days such as Halloween fosters closer collegial relationships. Research from Gallup’s 2017 survey shows employees that have closer friendships at work are more engaged and increasingly less likely to leave.

Increased Productivity

It stands to reason that a happy workforce is a more productive one. Surely if Halloween means a happier work force, it may be worth dabbling in a bit of Halloween fun. Research from Warrick University, England, proves this statement to be correct. Economics professor Andrew Oswald and his team conducted four experiments with more than 700 participants.   The Participants that were shown comedy clips or given free chocolate and other treats increased their productivity levels by more than 12%.

How firms incorporate the Halloween spirit within the corporate environment

Vericom Corp. Roswell, GA has their employees wear costumes and decorate their workstations for Halloween.

Awards are handed out for the best, funniest and most creative costumes. They also present awards for the most creative-decorated work area, most festive work area and scariest work area. Their employees cast their vote declaring the winner in each competition.

However, the festivities must follow a few basic rules:

• Decorations should adhere to fire or safety codes.
• Employees need to clean up after the event.
• All costumes need to be office appropriate without causing offense to their workmates and peers.

Ok, we have captured the corporate side, but is there a way that firms can benefit their communities and engage their employees at the same time?

How Spirit Halloween brightened up the day for patients of a Children’s Hospital

Spirit Halloween (a Halloween costume and props shop) decided to throw a party for patients of the Levine Children’s Hospital. Employees from Spirit stores volunteered their time to be involved in the project. Michael Costello, Spirit Halloween’s Regional Zone Manager, said it was a rewarding experience for his employees to take part in the project.

Nancy McCurry, mother of Sydney one of the patients at Levine Children’s, said it is so important for patients to get out of their rooms. Children of the hospital also have an exciting event that brightens their day.

To Halloween or not to Halloween: The Take Away

Halloween is a celebratory occasion that adds a bit of fun and color to long winter’s office days. Today, many firms are looking to provide an engaging environment. Part of this endeavor is providing events where employees develop close working relationships. Research indicates that employees’ happiness at work increases their productivity. There is also an added pride in representing their firm. The list of positives is there in favor of Halloween. However, there needs to be rules and policies in place to ensure a positive balance of Halloween magic and professionalism.

By: Jonathan Gordon