Soon, we'll all be approaching the festive season. A time to socialise and let your hair down with colleagues and clients. Bring on the merry lunches and the Christmas parties I say.
However, while Christmas is a traditional time of year where managers organise team drinks outside of the office, a recent Monster poll shows that three out of four UK workers are unlikely to socialise with colleagues outside of work.
I'm not sure about you, but I think this is a disturbing result. I thoroughly believe in a visit to the local pub / bar after work with colleagues.
The question asked was: “How often do you socialise with your colleagues outside of work."
The poll received 1662 votes. Here are the results:
- 39% (648 votes) Occasionally
- 36% (599 votes) Never
- 17% (282 votes) At least once a week
- 8% (133 votes) Every two weeks
Julian Acquari, managing director, Monster UK and Ireland, says:
“It's important to take the time to develop relationships with work colleagues that extend beyond the day-to-day working relationships...
If you work in a team, time spent outside the office in a social environment will help to strengthen bonds and create a sense of team spirit. If you manage a team it is worth taking your team out socially every so often and if you are a team member take the initiative and suggest a team bonding session to your manager.”
I'll always initiate drinks outside of the office. It's a chance for us all to relax, communicate with one another in an informal environment and even resolve challenging problems or brainstorm new ideas. In fact, it was a team session down the pub that led to the birth of the Work Clinic. I was chatting away quite happily to the group art editor, Kate Collings, and we were talking about the new blogging faze, when she suggested I would make a great agony aunt. The concept of the Work Clinic was born and we came up with a proposal to present back to our team a few days later. So you see, it's not just about the drinking culture...
Comments (9)
Posted by Helen Edmonds | October 19, 2007 2:49 PM
I think by socialising outside of work you get to see a different side to your colleagues. Someone who you find quite frustrating or difficult to work for could be a really fun person in a different environment. It also gives you a chance to talk about things that aren't related to work as well as the opportunity to forget the hierarchy in the office.
Posted on October 19, 2007 14:49
Posted by Matt Rowlands | October 19, 2007 3:06 PM
It can swing both ways, being positive and negative, depending on who your with.
I've worked in organisations that held regular social events (mostly going to wine bars) and personally found it useful to get a measure of colleagues outside the work environment, to get a true understanding of their character and find out what makes them tick.
However, I have found before that regular get-togethers outside the office, especially when top tier management weren't around, turned into outpourings of every minor gripe. I stopped going.
Posted on October 19, 2007 15:06
Posted by Claire Mitchell | October 19, 2007 3:20 PM
I don't mind the occasional 'get together' such as Christmas parties or even just the odd drink after work. I do feel though, that I've got enough pulls on my time without spending even MORE time with work colleagues. I do like them but I prefer the company of my family!
I dislike situations in companies where one feels obliged to go out for a drink - it just isn't my scene and at the end of the day, it's my free time we're talking about!
Posted on October 19, 2007 15:20
Posted by Olly Gosling | October 19, 2007 3:32 PM
Socialising outside of the workplace should be considered necessary in achieving a healthy, productive atmosphere within the workplace. No matter where you work or what you do, getting to know your workmates for the people they are as opposed to merely colleagues can only be a healthy thing...
In doing so you will often find that the people you work with will become friends. And after all, who do you feel more comfortable turning to for support; friends or colleagues? Having a closely knit workforce who truly know and understand each other can only benefit your business.
Posted on October 19, 2007 15:32
Posted by HRWench | October 19, 2007 3:50 PM
I have a hard time with holiday parties, company picnics and structured company social events. I feel like I have to go as the HR Manager of the company. Then I feel trapped. I don't like that feeling. However, once I get there things are usually fine and a good time is had by all. It's knowing I "have to" go that bothers me.
I do not join workmates for happy hour at the bar after work because I am just not interested. I like 99% of the people I work with but by the end of the day I want to go home and put my feet up, not sit in a smokey bar.
Every once in awhile I will go if it is a combination going away party for someone who found another job and happy hour. I don't usually stay long though.
I think if socializing with workmates outside of work is something that helps you and your team then great, go for it. For me it's not really a priority.
Another factor is as the HR Manager I have to be careful about boundaries. The person I drink with one evening may be the person I have to fire the next week. It is best for me to not get too close.
Posted on October 19, 2007 15:50
Posted by HRWench | October 19, 2007 3:51 PM
By the way, the lady with the purple eyeshadow in the picture is going to give me nightmares!!! :)
Posted on October 19, 2007 15:51
Posted by Steve Miller | October 22, 2007 2:41 PM
Yeah why not! I think it is great to socialise down the pub over a few glasses of wine in my case as I don't really like pints. It gives the team a chance to celebrate and bond as well as providing a release for stress.
There will no doubt be the miserable one who never wants to go the pub but that's up to them. So come on anyone fancy a drink?
Posted on October 22, 2007 14:41
Posted by Emma White | October 25, 2007 10:00 AM
I think there is nothing wrong with socialising out of work but it is important to get the balance right. You can't have a situation where a senior worker hesitates to reprimand a staff member because they have become close buddies outside of work. But equally, a team needs to get along so the odd social gathering over a couple of drinks doesn't hurt.
Posted on October 25, 2007 10:00
Posted by Angela | November 19, 2007 9:34 AM
It all depends on the type of colleagues you have. A social event is about getting to know your colleagues outside the office environment, not constant moaning about work, colleagues and about romances between colleagues. A social event is supposed to be fun. Talking about work isn't fun.
I once worked in a team where there was too much socialising, too much drinking and colleagues got to know each other a bit too well so when a conflict arose, it got really personal.
As long as there's a balance, social events can be fun.
Posted on November 19, 2007 09:34