During the past couple of holiday seasons, many companies put a freeze on holiday parties or other celebratory events (“tough to spend money on frivolous things when we just let associates go….” was the reasoning).

“This was a mistake,” cautions Bob Kelleher, CEO of The Employee Engagement Group and author of LOUDER THAN WORDS: 10 Practical Employee Engagement Steps That Drive Results. “During recessionary times, when companies are cutting back and laying off employees, the survivors need a pick me up more than ever.”

That is especially true this year as the majority of workers are entering the holiday stressed --- very stressed. According to the latest StressPulse survey by Chicago-based ComPsych Corp., a leading global employee-assistance provider, 68 percent of employees report having high levels of stress at work, with extreme fatigue and out-of-control feelings. That represents a jump from 65 percent in 2009.

With many leading indicators suggesting that we’re in a recovery, Kelleher urges companies to ease stress and engage employees by bringing back the traditional holiday party --- albeit definitely more scaled back than pre-recession times. He offers these ideas for hosting low-cost celebratory events:

*   Have an in-office holiday celebration and invite families to attend. Family involvement creates a more community-focused work environment and shows the employee you care about them as people

*   Host an active or theme holiday party – bowling, theme nights, museum night, volunteering to do a group charitable event, outdoor winterfest serving hot cider, hot chocolate (in colder climates), etc.

*   Use the holiday event as a time to thank employees for their ongoing efforts and commitment during the past year

*  Instead of sending out holiday gifts to clients, make a charitable donation in the name of your employees and clients (to boost engagement, have a contest so your employees can select which charities!). Announce this donation via a E-card (for environmental purposes!).

Bob Kelleher is the founder and CEO of The Employee Engagement Group (www.EmployeeEngagment.com<http://www.EmployeeEngagment.com>) and is a noted speaker, thought leader, and consultant on the subjects of Employee Engagement, Workforce Trends, and Leadership. He is also the author of the just-released of LOUDER THAN WORDS: 10 Practical Employee Engagement Steps That Drive Results. Climbing to the #3 Workplace book, #5 HR book and #12 Management book on Amazon, LOUDER THAN WORDS is garnishing rave reviews. (http://www.bobkelleher.com/book.html)
“The information in LOUDER THAN WORDS can help any organization improve its business performance.” --- Kevin W. Martin, Vice President, Aberdeen Group