Pumpkins by the front door, homes covered in fake cobwebs and kids going door-to-door in costume. It isn’t hard to spot those choosing to celebrate Halloween.
Just as easy to spot are those who want no part of it. Those who brand it a commercialised American tradition with no place in Aussie culture.
Experts say the divisive celebration’s popularity is on the rise in Australia and shows no sign of slowing. Love it or hate it, Halloween is here to stay!
Embracing the tradition of Halloween in your workplace can be a fun way to lighten the mood and motivate your employees. But whether you decide on decorations, fancy dress or a full-on fright fest; there are a few things worth considering to avoid your own HR horror story.
Costumes to give you the creeps
What’s worse – an employee with a completely inappropriate Halloween costume at work or the one person that doesn’t want to dress up at all?
It’s likely that you’ll encounter both instances when inviting fancy dress into the workplace. And both can be handled through clear communication and expectations.
To ward off a nightmarish situation, it would be a good idea to emphasise key parts of your dress code, such as not showing off too much flesh. One person’s sense of humour could be deeply offensive to others. And if someone really does not want to join-in, give them an opt-out by saying to all that fancy dress is optional.
Health and safety scares
Your workplace and your employees might look very different on Halloween. But the same health and safety regulations will apply.
Floaty costumes can present trip hazards and candles can do all sorts of damage if left unattended. As always, it’s wise to remain alert for hazards and consider some safer alternatives, such as bulb candles, where possible.
Creeping out customers?
It is also possible that meetings with external visitors or interviewees have fallen on Halloween. It’s fine if you want people to get a feel for your company culture. But consider each visitor individually and the impression that you will be making.
Halloween at work can be great fun when it is done right. Stay away from scary situations by ticking off your HR checklist and contact the HR Dept on 1800 473 378 if you have any further questions.