Office 'socials' help work-life integration

In dim corners of the banquet hall, small groups of people huddle together. They’re not from the same line of business and neither are they peers. They smile and chat, but theirs is not party banter – a strategy, maybe, some action steps! Yet brows are unwrinkled. Heads bob in agreement – okay, everyone’s on the same page? Great! Some laughter later, a few people break away. Agenda covered, they move to another cluster, or the dance floor.

Most organizations have them – Office parties and socials. Big parties celebrate the closure of a successful year, a festival or a huge deal. Small socials celebrate birthdays and milestones. Attendance is usually good and everyone has a good time. Happily, the carefully designed org-structure and hierarchy gets effectively flattened specially for the event!

Encouraging the social element of business is always a good idea. It allows friendships – not just networks – to form. It adds positivity to the climate and infuses bonhomie into an otherwise cold, professional relationship. Socials influence people who don’t give an inch in a meeting room discussion, to become more open and amenable. Even that ice-cold grouch of a boss actually seems human!

Within reason, periodic office socials – ‘human’ time during the workday – are a good idea and help a stress-free work environment! And they don’t have to be expensive, or elaborate – or even compulsory to attend. If you have one, they will come!

Here are some ideas to get the creative juices flowing:

But all good things need caveats:

‘Office Social’ is not an oxymoron – provided people’s manners and budgets stay within the realm of reason. The commencement of a new year makes it an ideal time to evaluate and allocate some money towards this positive, employee-friendly initiative.