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The office holiday party: festive tradition or unnecessary hassle?
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Dec 13, 2013
Listen 12:44
The office holiday party: festive tradition or unnecessary hassle?
For businesses across the country the holiday season brings the time honored tradition of the office holiday party. While some embrace the tradition with open arms, the obligation of spending a night with co-workers is welcomed with a grimace.
The 110-foot Christmas tree at the Grove at Farmer's Market, seen on Dec. 20, 2011, is one of the tallest Christmas trees in the city of Los Angeles.
People get a closer view of a Christmas Tree decorated and displayed for the festive season at the Grove in Los Angeles, California, in December 2011.
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Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images
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For businesses across the country the holiday season brings the time honored tradition of the office holiday party. While some embrace the tradition with open arms, the obligation of spending a night with co-workers is welcomed with a grimace.

For businesses across the country the holiday season brings the time honored tradition of the office holiday party.  While some embrace the tradition with open arms, the obligation of spending a night with co-workers is welcomed with a grimace. Not only can office holiday parties be uncomfortable, they are often costly.

Some companies are opting to eliminate the holiday party tradition for other rewards. LA based, Konnect Public Relations is rewarding its employees with a four day cruise to Mexico instead of a traditional holiday party. In previous years, the company has sent its employees to Lake Tahoe. Spouses must stay home from the trip, but are invited to a dinner.  Is the office holiday party worth the money? Are there better alternatives to reward employees for a year of hard work? Would you rather go to an office holiday party or have an alternative reward? Do you have any office holiday party stories to share?

Guest:

Leslie Yerkes, President, Catalyst Consulting - which advises businesses on how to make their offices more fun and how to motivate employees; Author, “Beyond Kicks and Carrots;” based in Ohio

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