How to Handle Social Events With Employees

Socializing with your employees is a good way to build camaraderie and find out what's on people's minds. Just make sure to avoid the following pitfalls.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Invitations
• Beverages
• Finger Foods
• Table Linens
• Music
• hors d’oeuvres

1. Make it clear that an after-hours office event is not mandatory. If you make an event mandatory, you are assuming liability for the employees.
2. Remember to invite spouses and children to at least one corporate social gathering annually. Although corporate-sponsored festivities are generally morale boosters, excluding families can create resentment on the home front.
3. Consider having functions in a place of local interest, such as a museum or aquarium, or, on a lighter note, at a miniature golf course.
4. Keep in mind your relationship with your employees. If you are in a managerial position, even if you are younger than some of your subordinates, they will turn to you for leadership.
5. Behave accordingly and maintain your professional composure.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember to greet employees' spouses and significant others by name, or ask for an introduction if you don't know the employee's date. This is the time to be a bit more personal.
• Although a drink may help you relax, this is definitely not the time to let it all hang out. Social occasions may be more relaxed than work situations, but a professional code of conduct still applies.
• Think twice about having alcohol at any functions at the company. If anything happens, your company could be held liable.