The Company Party

For decades, some companies have thrown parties, picnics or birthday bashes for their employees. The idea behind these little get-togethers is to have everyone socialize with each other and create a positive workplace environment. It's the whole mantra that everyone should be friends with one another.

In light of the fact that the holidays are now behind us, we can all reminisce about the joys or the not so great factors of having to go to the traditional office party. In fact, there are some companies who like to party year round and even though the holidays may be behind us, some companies will throw birthday celebrations for employees or other year-round celebrations.

However, much with the general trend in society, has all this partying gotten to be a little too excessive? In fact, has all this celebrating given employees the idea that their attitude towards work should be just as lax?

Now, obviously no one is complaining about the general thought behind these office parties. They are usually done as a nice thing for employees and a way to say that employees are valued. Essentially it is a way for upper management to be on the good sides of employees so that hopefully, productivity will either continue or increase.

The only point some employers are missing however, is that if the management team and those in control of the organization are not good at their jobs in general, then employees do not feel compelled to go these little parties. More importantly, the company loyalty that some employers fool themselves into thinking is gained by throwing fun, celebratory bashes, is not won through material things.

Bonuses and parties may be great for some people. However, the larger group of employees would much rather work for a fair boss that is consistent and pays them fairly for their work rather than getting company gifts for Christmas or office birthday parties for employees.

Some companies continue making the mistake of thinking that if they give their employees things they think are associated with "fun," then that is a way of retaining employees (since most people do not view their jobs as fun).

However, employees leave jobs because they eventually become unsatisfied with their pay, their boss or the lack of enforcement of company policy or general workplace standards.

No one wants to work for a company that does not reward people for their hard work and instead allows some employees to slack off while others are busting their chops trying to finish projects or whatever the case may be.

As a manager or head of a company, your goal should be to retain employees by creating an environment that makes them feel as though the job they are doing is valued and that any deviation from that will not be tolerated. If unfair practices continue in a workplace, no amount of parties or free sweatshirts with the company logo is going to retain an unsatisfied employee.

This is why so many companies experience such high turnovers. They put a lot of stock and money into buying their employees ' affection rather than simply being consistent with values.