Our Coffee Break feature discusses everyday issues or topics faced by women (and men) at work. Think of it as your daily chat with your work BFF…
So….Halloween is right around the corner, and I wonder if I should celebrate at work. If so, how can I pull a fun Halloween celebration in the office without losing my professional edge? Or should I skip it altogether, and save the festivities for after-hours?
My $0.05: Ok, so for those of us who are really into Halloween, it can be a bit depressing not to be able to enjoy the holiday at work. While many offices are OK with employees dressing up, many others are just not. And if you’re concerned about losing your professional edge in your favorite Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman costume, you can always:
Check in with your manager and HR first.
Before you make any plans (or drop any of your plans), make sure to check in with your manager and/or HR first. This could be particularly helpful if you’re planning to organize any team-based or group activities.
If You’re Going to Dress Up, Use Your Best Judgment!
If your office code allows for employees to dress up, the only rule really you should follow to make sure you keep your professional reputation intact is: Don’t wear anything embarrassing! As a guide, use this infographic from Refinery 29 to decide if your costume is offensive or not. And while you’re at it, why not make it a group/team thing? Here are 14+ office group Halloween costumes you can experiment with…even if it’s last minute!
Have Some Desk-Decorating Fun!
If you’re worried about your professional reputation at work, or didn’t find a decent enough costume for the office (or if you’re still deciding), how about having some wild fun decorating your surroundings? Plastic spiders, cobwebs, and other fun apparatus can add a nice festive touch to the day too…Short on inspiration? Brit+Co suggests 17 Halloween decor ideas for your cubicle or office.
Do it Potluck Style!
Why not release all that pent-up Halloween spooky energy into some fun and delish food? Organize a potluck within your team, and assign a special dish to each team member. No time for planning a food extravaganza? Well, bring your own spooktacular disk (here’s some inspiration for Halloween-themed food)!
Candy It Up!
After all, everyone’s favorite part of the holiday is all the candy we get to eat! So bring plenty of candy to share with your team and the entire office. Encourage the rest of your team to bring in some sweets to share and celebrate too! Oh…, and check out Thrillist‘s selection of 20 best Halloween candy to make your candy corner the best in the office!
What do you think? Is it OK to celebrate Halloween at work without losing your professional edge?
The Corporate Sister.
