Should Company Functions Be Mandatory for Your Employees?

Whether it’s a holiday party or team-building retreat, there are specific reasons why company functions should and should not be mandatory.

Walking the fine line between work and play isn’t always optional, but there’s the consideration of workplace unity working wonders for your company’s camaraderie in terms of the office environment.

The following are just a few pros and cons to consider when deciding whether or not your company’s functions should be mandatory:

The Pros of Mandatory Functions

There’s nothing wrong with having a company function, the question is whether or not that function should be mandatory or not.

Here are just a few benefits of kindly requesting your employees’ attendance at company events:

* Mingling is a Good Thing – Company functions are a great way for employees to get to know one another. This is especially the case with large companies where employees from separate departments don’t usually have an opportunity to interact.

* Non-Work Related Conversations – When employees have a chance to talk to their bosses as well as other employees about topics unrelated to work, it gives everyone a chance to form relationships on a deeper level. And, a workplace that has a unique bond just works better.

* Associating Work With Fun – Whether it’s a trust-building exercise, a party, or just a workplace game day, the more your employees associate work with fun, the more they’ll enjoy work in general. Your company doesn’t have to go all-out, but planning team activities once a month will keep everyone in good spirits.

* It’s Stress Relieving – When employees attend parties or complete non-work related activities together, the stress relief is contagious. Think about it, when employees see superiors, managers, and other higher-ups relaxing and having a good time, it gives those employees a chance to unwind, decompress, and enjoy themselves too.

Mandatory company functions are worth the time and effort for the stress relieving aspect alone. 

The Cons of Employee Obligation

No matter which way you cut it, once employee attendance is required, there’s going to be some inevitable backlash.

Where there are pros, there’s bound to be cons ¬– here are just a few drawbacks when it comes to mandatory company functions:

* Some Employees Prefer Working Relationships – Not everybody wants a deeper relationship with their coworkers and, as long as they function properly within the company, that’s perfectly fine. But, requiring all employees attend functions alienates those employees that prefer a working relationship only.

* Socially Awkward Situations – Some people don’t like group functions and feel uncomfortable around too many people. Likewise, in the case of company parties, some employees may have personal issues when it comes to alcohol and should never be forced into a drinking environment.

* It’s Going to Cost the Company – Mandatory or not, company functions will cost your company money. If the function is during office hours, it’s a loss of productivity and, if it’s outside office hours, you’ll probably need to compensate your employees for their time. In addition, some employees might be resentful of office functions because that money could go toward year-end bonuses or paid vacations.

So, when you’re deciding whether or not to make company functions mandatory, use the pros and cons above to help make an informed decision.