Fa La La La Blah: Survey Reveals Cities With Worst (And Best) Company Holiday Celebrations

Fa La La La Blah: Survey Reveals Cities With Worst (And Best) Company Holiday Celebrations

MENLO PARK, Calif., Nov. 2, 2017/PRNewswire / --

• A good time was had by some. Overall, 36 percent of professionals describe holiday parties as entertaining; a nearly equal percentage (35 percent) give these events a thumbs down.
• To party, or not to party? Slightly more than one-quarter (28 percent) describe year-end bashes as obligatory; 47 percent view them as optional.
• Few are raising crystal flutes or the roof. Sixteen percent categorize their soirees as lavish or rowdy.
• East coasters are the best hosts.New Yorkand Miamihave the most fun parties.
• They're keeping it lively in L.A.Los Angeleshas the most boisterous parties, followed by Austinand New York.
• See and be seen. Workers in Los Angelesand Phoenixfeel the most pressure to attend holiday work events.

When it comes to office holiday celebrations, not all parties are created equal. In a recent survey by staffing firm OfficeTeam, workers from 27 major U.S. cities were asked to describe their company holiday parties and rate them on several factors. While 36 percent of overall respondents describe these celebrations as fun, the results show that attitudes on holiday festivities vary considerably by city.

View a slideshow of the research.

Most Fun	Least Fun
1. New York	1. Minneapolis
2. Miami	2. Des Moines
3. Los Angeles	3. Philadelphia
4. San Francisco	4. Indianapolis
5. Washington, D.C.	5. Cleveland
6. Austin (tie)	6. Cincinnati
6. Charlotte (tie)	7. Seattle
6. Houston (tie)	8. St. Louis
6. Phoenix (tie)	9. Detroit
10. Boston (tie)	10. Dallas
10. Chicago (tie)

Popping the Bubbly?
Black-tie galas and festive ice sculptures may be a thing of the past - only 16 percent of workers polled said they'd categorize their company holiday parties as extravagant. The Big Apple hosts the most lavish soirees, the research found.

Most Extravagant	Least Extravagant
1. New York	1. Des Moines
2. Los Angeles	2. Philadelphia
3. Miami	3. Raleigh
4. San Francisco	4. Cleveland (tie)
5. Washington, D.C.	4. Indianapolis (tie)
6. Houston	6. Cincinnati (tie)
7. Charlotte	6. Minneapolis (tie)
8. Boston	6. Salt Lake City (tie)
9. Chicago	9. Seattle
10. Pittsburgh (tie)	10. Denver (tie)
10. San Diego (tie)	10. Detroit (tie)

Holiday Hangout or Smooth Career Move?
Professionals aren't necessarily counting down the days until their company shindig. More than one-quarter of those surveyed (28 percent) described their holiday parties as obligatory.

Brandi Britton, a district president for OfficeTeam, advises workers not to skip out too fast. 'A holiday party is a time to build camaraderie with coworkers and visibility with executives you may otherwise not typically have exposure to,' said Britton. 'Getting to know people on a more personal level can also make work more fun.'

OfficeTeam offers tips for employees to navigate holiday parties and employers who want to plan successful celebrations:

Tips for Employees	Tips for Employers
Mix and mingle. Socialize with coworkers outside your usual circle. These celebrations are an opportunity to meet people you don't work with every day.	Ask for input. Survey your staff to see how people want to celebrate. Feedback on venue, food and timing will get planning off to a good start.
Curb shoptalk. This is your chance to get to know colleagues in a social setting, so don't make it all about business. Conversation starters can include people's holiday plans or New Year's resolutions.	Build a buzz. Get the word out early. Talk up the event with management in all departments, and don't shy away from reaching out to employees individually.
Don't be a scrooge. Though holiday time can be stressful for some, keep your discussions positive and upbeat. Avoid controversial topics such as politics and gossip.	Get creative. A big budget isn't the only way to throw a successful holiday party. Brainstorm unique ways to build camaraderie without breaking the bank.
Limit libations. 'Tis the season to party, but not too hard. Drink in moderation and remember holiday parties are still work functions.	Show appreciation. Employees want to feel recognized for their hard work. Incorporate an element into the festivities that shows your gratitude.

About the Research
The survey of workers was developed by OfficeTeam and conducted by an independent research firm. It includes responses from more than 2,700 workers 18 years of age or older and employed in office environments in the United States.

About OfficeTeam
OfficeTeam, a Robert Halfcompany, is the nation's leading staffing service specializing in the temporary placement of highly skilled office and administrative support professionals. The company has 300 locations worldwide. For additional information, visit roberthalf.com/officeteam. Follow the OfficeTeam blog at roberthalf.com/officeteam/blog for career and management advice.

SOURCE OfficeTeam

For further information: Shilpa Ahuja, [phone], [e-mail]