Workplace rituals such as holiday parties could be undermined by negative feelings of exclusion, inauthenticity and underappreciation among employees, suggests upcoming research by Professor Anthony Klotz.
The forthcoming research argues that existing literature about organisational rituals paints an overly rosy depiction of their benefits for employers. Previous research has tended to focus more on simple rituals such as morning office cheer, instead of complex ones such as work parties, team building retreats, and company specific celebrations.
The upcoming paper, written in collaboration with Junhyok Yim (City University of Hong Kong), Trevor A. Foulk (University of Florida), and Pauline Schilpzand (Oregon State University), examines the dynamics of complex rituals which it defines as ones that take place over extended periods of time and involve extensive social interaction.
A series of studies were conducted to examine the positive and negative responses to complex organisational rituals and their impact on workers, in the weeks and months following the events.
The researchers concluded that only when the potential negative outcomes of organisational rituals were proactively mitigated in the planning of events, could positive outcomes such as feeling more engaged with fellow colleagues, be truly beneficial.
Writing in the Harvard Business Review ahead of the research’s publication, Professor Klotz outlined a check list for leaders to ensure their employees benefitted positively from complex workplace rituals.
Dos
- Strengthen Social Fabric: Encourage mingling, especially among employees who don’t usually interact. Allow time at the start of the event for connection before more structured activities.
- Offer Meaningful Perks: Provide quality food, entertainment, and small but thoughtful gifts. Use an evidence-based approach and survey your employees on best ways to allocate budget.
- Bring Positive Energy: Choose inspiring speakers and exciting activities. Don’t underestimate the power of simple games such as raffles to put people in a good mood.
- Create a Relaxing Atmosphere: Keep the event flexible and low-pressure. Avoid overly structured formats that feel stressful.
Don’ts
- Minimise Personal Sacrifices: Be mindful of timing, location, and demands. Reduce barriers like travel costs or childcare needs by scheduling during work hours or compensating for travel.
- Go Overboard with Spending: Avoid extravagance and excessive spending, especially during periods of cost-cutting or worse (e.g. layoffs). Try to find the sweet spot between meaningful yet cost effective.
- Waste Opportunities to Show Appreciation: Use rituals to recognise achievements and express gratitude. Make sure every employee feels valued and publicly acknowledge accomplishments.
- Force Participation or Fake Enthusiasm: Let employees engage authentically. Make attendance optional especially if outside of work hours. Don’t choose activities which create pressure to force enthusiasm.
