It’s 4 p.m. Friday: Do you know where your employees are?
July 1, 2008 by Fred HosierPosted in: Fun stuff on the Web, In this week's e-newsletter, Latest News & Views
Not everyone gets happy at happy hours. That’s one conclusion from a recent poll on the Friday after-work tradition.
About 16% of those who responded to a Careerbuilder.com survey said they talked negatively or inappropriately about a co-worker or manager. (No portable recording devices in the bar, please.)
But it’s not all bad news:
- 82% go to happy hour to bond with co-workers
- 20% use their happy time to network, and
- 15% say it’s about getting the good office gossip.
Back to the not-so-happy: 8% admitted they drank too much and acted unprofessionally.
And about 4% must truly be the happiest of the bunch: They sang karaoke!
As an HR pro, you hold many of the so-called “good office gossip” that many people seek at happy hours.
So let us know: Are you particularly popular at happy hours because other employees are trying to “get the scoop” from you?
Tags: after work, bond, happy hours
July 7th, 2008 at 10:52 am
I do my best to stay quiet about anything to do with work. When I walk out the doors at 5pm I try to leave all my work at work. I am just greatful that if I need to vent or talk about what is going on I can always walk in my bosses office and talk to him about it and then just let it go. I dont usually go to happy hours get togethers.
July 7th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
In HR we should also be careful about the company we keep during the work day and after hours. You could be associating with an office “gossip” or someone who lets others believe that you share confidential information with them. You could also be inappropriately labeled as part of a “clique” and others will be afraid to share concerns with you or make valid complaints for fear that you will not be on their side.
It is best not to appear to be too close to anyone at the work place for your own sake.
July 8th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
I try to only socialize with co-workers during break or at lunchtime but then I usally lead the topic towards something non-work related like a favorite movie or book to get the conversation going and steered away from work. This way I don’t get trapped and it usually stops the “gossip” in it’s tracks.
July 11th, 2008 at 11:38 am
I do not discuss topics of interest (gossip) outside the office. While in the office, I only discuss such matters with my superiors. As a rule, I do not socialize with employees after work hours.
July 18th, 2008 at 10:18 am
At a social event with several managers for our company, my staff manager thought he could be “just one of the guys” and decided to socialize with a particular group of managers he knew well. He was in the crowd no more than 5 minutes and when he turned to get his drink and look back, the group had left him standing alone. The bartender laughed and jokingly said, “You sure know how to clear a room.” He then asked what he did for a living and he said he was an HR Staff Manager. The bartender laughed even louder and said, “Well of course, no one wants to associate with HR at a bar.” Lesson learned. We keep a low profile, arrive early and leave early!
August 1st, 2008 at 12:19 pm
I work at a small company as The HR Director and I agree with statistics. There are many times I have gone to the bar around the corner where 50% of my management team are there (with other employees). The discussion generally are topics related to our business, new innovations, the competition and some positive venting. It is a group of employees who generally love what we do and love to talk about it.
For me it has replaced the golf course as the place to get business done. I may be able to pitch my new idea to my boss over a beer (or a coke) when 20 years ago it was (mostly my male) co-workers who could get it pitched on the golf course.
maybe this is the “even-ing out” from the craziness of the 3 martini lunch 1980’s and the playfulness of the dot-com era companies.