For HR managers and employees alike, Halloween can be more of a trick than a treat. While workplace Halloween festivities can create an atmosphere that helps co-workers have fun and get to know each other, the fall holiday’s central themes are dressing up and scaring people, which not everyone finds enjoyable.
“Group celebrations are a great way to create connection in a workplace, but they must be handled with care,” said Mark DeFee, a workplace wellness consultant who’s worked with firms such as IBM, Verizon and Motorola. “After all, Halloween can be polarizing for some people. A workplace needs to respect all points of view, so any Halloween-related celebration in the office needs to be optional.”
