• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Big Ideas for Small Business logo

Barbara Weltman

Big Ideas for Small Business, Inc.

Whitepaper download

Subscribe and download our eBook, "150+ Tax Deductions for Small Business A to Z."

This field is hidden when viewing the form
Get the:

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Big Ideas For Your Business
    • Idea Of The Day ®
    • SMB Legal
    • SMB Taxes
    • SMB Financial
    • Small Business
    • Newsletter Archive
  • Services
  • Books
  • Blog
  • Multimedia
    • Videos
    • Radio Shows/Podcasts
  • Be a Guest Blogger

Celebrations in the Workplace

February 22, 2018 / By Barbara Weltman

Celebrations in the WorkplaceBirthdays, promotions, retirements … there’s always an occasion to celebrate. There are some compelling reasons for companies to encourage these celebrations in the workplace, but there are some issues to keep in mind.

Why celebrate?

There are a number of reasons for celebrations that are favorable to the company. These include morale, team-building, and recognition of certain employees. By encouraging celebrations, employers are showing that they value employees as individuals.

Some might ask whether these celebrations are time wasters. I think they break up the day and employees often feel recharged afterwards to become more productive. Do you agree?

Concerns for employees

Employers may underwrite the cost of certain celebrations, such as a party to recognize that person has been with the company for 20 years. For some celebrations, employees may pass the hat or seek out contributions to pay for a gift, a birthday cake, or a card.  For some employees, this may be problematic:

  • They feel pressured to contribute, even if it’s supposed to be voluntary. For example, if only those who contribute to the cost of a gift can add their name to a card accompanying a gift, how voluntary is it?
  • They may not have the means to contribute. What may seem like a little contribution to some could be meaningful to others.
  • They may not support the project. For example, if employees are getting a gift for a manager who’s leaving the company, some employees may not have liked this person and don’t want to show appreciation.

Besides any direct cost to employees, there are personal reasons why some employees feel uncomfortable with office celebrations. Some just don’t relish socializing; they prefer to be all business at work. They don’t like to feel coerced into attending a celebration. I get it.

Concerns for the company

The cost of celebrations paid by the company is tax deductible. In fact, the cost of an office party may be 100% deductible. This is so even though the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act eliminated the write-off for entertainment costs. While the IRS has yet to confirm that the cost of company holiday parties, barbeques, and other celebrations is still fully deductible, most tax experts believe this is so.

The company should also address other issues about celebrating (e.g., introducing alcohol in the workplace). And watch out for any inappropriate behavior among employees. Make it clear that sexual harassment or any other inappropriate behavior won’t be tolerated and will have consequences.

Final thought

Stephen Covey, who wrote 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, said, “Always treat your employees exactly as you want them to treat your best customers.” Makes sense to me to celebrate often. Just be sensitive to the concerns of your staff.

Tags celebrations office party small business workplace

Primary Sidebar

Categories

  • General Business (498)
  • Guest Blog (109)
  • Homepage (21)
  • Small Business (990)
  • SMB Financial (322)
  • SMB Legal (66)
  • SMB Taxes (324)

Barbara’s Recent Posts

  • Scale Your Business by Stepping Up IP Protection May 29, 2025
  • Disasters Happen: It’s Important to Be Prepared Now May 27, 2025
  • How Work Order Software Transforms Small Business Operations May 26, 2025
  • The Numbers Are Up for Sole Proprietorships May 22, 2025
  • New Business or Project Crowdfunding: What To Know May 20, 2025
  • Old-School Estimating vs. Smart Solutions: What’s Really Holding You Back? May 19, 2025
  • Employees Getting Called to Public Service: What to Know May 15, 2025
  • Not Too Late to Prep for Summer Now May 13, 2025
  • How Will the Next Generation of Learners Affect the Workplace May 12, 2025
  • Moms Know Best: Lessons for Entrepreneurs May 8, 2025
  • Mental Health Challenges in the Workplace May 6, 2025
  • Let’s Celebrate Small Business! May 1, 2025
Awarded Top 100 Small Business Blog medal (link will open in a new window or tab)
Marquis Who's Who 2023 Badge
Top Small Business Blogs (Link will open in a new window or tab.)
8 Financial blogs small business Owners Need to Read. Invoice home.  (link will open in a new window or tab)
Best Small Business Blog, Expertido.org
Top 50 Small Business Blogs 2018
Best Small Business Blogs
BizHumm Top 100 Business Blog Award to Barbara Weltman
FitsSmallBusiness.com: Award for Best Small Business Blog 2017 (link will open in a new window or tab)
FitsSmallBusiness.com: Award for Best Small Business Blog 2016 (link will open in a new window or tab)

Footer

Big Ideas for Small Business logo

Small business ideas, business tax news and small business consulting from Barbara Weltman to provide business owners with the information they need to succeed. Visit our small business blog, Idea of The Day®, small business books and articles on small business taxes, small business finance and small business legal advice.

Contact Us

[email protected]

(772) 492-9593

gacor maxwin situs slot thailand terpercaya situs slot gacor situs gacor akun pro thailand slot bandar togel terpercaya

Latest Tweets

bigideas4sb Big Ideas for Small Business® @bigideas4sb ·
May 31

Starbucks Rediscovers Its Human Side - Branding Strategy Insider https://bit.ly/3H9KwHP #smallbusiness #branding #marketing

Reply on Twitter 1928884285445931367 Retweet on Twitter 1928884285445931367 Like on Twitter 1928884285445931367 2 Twitter 1928884285445931367
bigideas4sb Big Ideas for Small Business® @bigideas4sb ·
May 31

New Business or Project Crowdfunding: What To Know - https://bit.ly/43nclnL #startups #loans #crowdfunding #smallbusiness

Reply on Twitter 1928862798886441182 Retweet on Twitter 1928862798886441182 Like on Twitter 1928862798886441182 1 Twitter 1928862798886441182
bigideas4sb Big Ideas for Small Business® @bigideas4sb ·
May 31

10 Simple Ways to Get Employees to Quit — Improve Your HR https://bit.ly/44KRu01 #smallbusiness #workplace #hiring #employees

Reply on Twitter 1928844506998136977 Retweet on Twitter 1928844506998136977 1 Like on Twitter 1928844506998136977 1 Twitter 1928844506998136977
Load More

Copyright © 2008–2025 Big Ideas for Small Business, Inc  |  Designed by Hudson Fusion

  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap