Posted on 12/20/2011 4:20:21 AM PST by sauropod
Yes, this is an actual article...
The end of December is notoriously expensive for companies, literally-because everyone who has any room left in their budget is spending it on whatever they can find, seeing that the money is burning a hole in their pockets-but figuratively, as well-because it's a time when company morale can plummet if you're not watching carefully. This post addresses the figurative cost of Christmas. Here are three things that every business owner should be prepared to handle during the holidays.
1. The Christmas Caste System
People who are higher up in the organization usually take time off. First of all, they can afford to go on fun trips at the most expensive travel times of the year. Second, they are not hourly, so they won't miss the paycheck. Lower-level workers, however, are less likely to have paid vacation days and, therefore, less likely to take time off, since they need to earn the money. This means some offices are full of low-level workers acutely aware of the fact that higher-level workers are kicking back.
The best way to combat the effects of this cultural division is to help lower-level people find the hidden benefits to working during holidays. One benefit is that if a big job comes in, people who don't usually get the high-profile work will be able to take it because they're the only ones around.
2. The Christmas party trysts
The statistics surrounding office Christmas parties are incredible. More than 40 percent of all men have said they had a romantic exchange with someone at an office Christmas party. This statistic is consistent with a wide range of other statistics. For example, Trojan condoms found that most men would be willing to have sex with a co-worker during the party if the opportunity presented itself. The good news is that one fourth of the relationships that begin at an office Christmas party end in marriage. The bad news is that most office relationships don't end in marriage but rather in a mess that derails productivity for months.
3. Christmas shuns diversity
What about skipping the Christmas cheer altogether? Here's some logic for you. Diversity increases productivity at most companies. In order to gain the benefits of diversity, though, the company must encourage diverse ways of life. Christmas is a religious holiday. Christmas at the office is bad for diversity. To have Christmas dominate the office for a month is to announce to people that if you don't celebrate Christmas you are not part of the team. It's not said explicitly, but it's implicit. Christmas is bad for diversity in the workplace.
And, before you start defending yourself, calling your party a holiday party is not a solution; in fact it's totally annoying to people who don't celebrate Christmas. And here are five other things that people say at work about Christmas that are totally annoying.
It was posted on an American Express "Open Forum" website. I tried commenting, but found out that one can only comment if one has an American Express card that is registered with them.
If anyone has one of those, they are invited to comment.
Be nice. 'Pod
“Christmas at the office is bad for diversity.”
Well, I posted it.
At my company, there is a mad dash in December to cut expenses to come in under budget. We usually lay off most of the contractors for the month.
“Ho ho ho!”
I actually liked having the senior management away from the office - we got a lot more done, there was a more casual atmosphere and we did real planning.
Leftist lie.
No kidding. Whomever came up with this nonsense didn't get a cookie on Christmas Eve when they were five years old so now they hate everyone.
And they're more than likely a potential serial killer too. [Hope they don't work at a Post Office.]
That 'diversity' thing was the kicker.
Um, no. Legally, it's a national holiday that requires absolutely no participation in religious activities. Same for New Year's, 4th of July, etc. The author is clearly offended by Christmas.
Bah Humbug. This article reminds me of Scrooge.
Spirit of Christmas present: “They are Man’s. This boy is Ignorance, this girl is Want. Beware them both, but most of all, beware this boy”.
“Diversity increases productivity at most companies.
Leftist lie. “
You got that one right!!!
Senior management are usually, though not always, insecure psychopaths.
Meh.
One thing is true — the holiday season from Thanksgiving to New Year’s truly is a difficult time to get anything productive done anyway.
While the following obviously can’t be used for industries like retail, or anyone who has to provide immediate support, I’ve always wanted to try the following:
Total shutdown between the Monday before Thanksgiving through the Monday after New Year’s (unless it’s January 2, then make it January 9 instead).
Instead, use this time of the year for training, professional development, conferences, etc. Each employee will be required to perform a set amount of such activities, but may do so on their own schedule within that time frame.
That way, everyone can take the days off they want to, still do something useful, and come back in January rested and fresh for the new year. (And in addition, there will be less interruption during the remaining the ten and a half months with people being out for training, etc.)
I think based upon other writing that she is Jewish. Lives in WI near Madison, but says she did not fit in in Madison. Leftist from CA originally and wants to tell businesses how they should do the Holidays. They should all be floating according to her.
Well, the author, “Stephanie”, certainly has some junk in her Trunk.
I love when people drop these “facts” into an article as if they are a truism.
1. The Christmas Caste System:
I worked in a bar for ten years. During the holidays, the owners were gone, so we hourlies ran the place. When they returned, profits were up and cost were down.We made a KILLING on tips. This would occur whenever the micromanagement obsessed owners took vacation.
2. Christmas Parties Trysts:
Guilty!! That’s how I met my wife.
3. Christmas Diversity.
The Asian Buddhists are the BIGGEST(and Best) present givers and throw the best Christmas Parties of anyone at my present company. The employees with Obama 2008 bumper stickers are the worst.
Seniority plays a part, but honestly, some of it is simply who is needed for customer contact. I work in a bank, and a branch employee has to be conscious of who in the branch is already out to take a vacation, because there simply won't be enough employees to handle branch traffic. A back office person, however, might have work pile up, but its not as urgent of a problem if something sits on their desk for a few extra days.
How about the obvious benefit: pay!
Someone needs to write a piece on why Penelope Trunk’s advice is bad for your company. It’d would be much more valuable.
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