ajcjobs > BlogBreak > Archives > 2007 > December > 05
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Enjoying the holidays on the job
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Talk about a mine field, celebrating the holidays in the workplace can be a challenge. Decorate or no, party or not, who to gift and who is off the list? How long do you take off and still be considered a serious employee? Do you struggle with holidays?
Who do you gift? How about the boss, will he think you’re sucking up, will you over-gift or under-gift? Secretaries should get something nice - duh, of course, who will help when you need it the most? Who really has the power in the organization? Colleagues - well, maybe, but only if they’ve been good. Don’t let me get started on drawing names.
Do you party with colleagues? If so, be careful, that one drink over the limit can land you in a lot of trouble. It can be a career-changer, in the wrong direction. If you all decide to have lunch out, don’t you hate tallying up the bill and dividing it out? Is that really the holiday spirit? Is the economy good enough for the boss to pick up the tab? Is it politically correct to party at lunch? What about Kwanza or Hannukah?
Do you decorate the office? If so, who does it? The administrative assistants and secretaries usually handle the duties. They always seem to be in a better mood. Is it because they know they’re indispensable and have to be gifted? Is it politically correct for bosses to decorate, if they do, will they outdo someone else? Has there ever been a friendly competition between divisions that sort-of got out of hand?
If you have a Christmas lunch, who cooks or do you order in? If everyone brings a dish, are there folks whose food you’d just as soon not eat? I remember the church suppers when my mom would carefully point out the food from folks whose kitchens were suspect. If you order in, once more, who picks up the tab?
Do you take three weeks off at Christmas to really enjoy the holidays? Ever returned to find someone else at your desk?
Maybe I’m just a little too irreverent but what happens in your office that borders on the absurd? What would you toss and what would you keep?
Here are some tips to help you survive during the holiday season. Happy Holidays!
