Halloween is here! The chill is in the air. The leaves are turning on the trees. Bags of candy of every description practically fall off the shelves into your basket as you wind your way through the grocery store. And everyone—especially the kids—has their Halloween costumes picked out.
Halloween isn't just for children, though.
Many adults enjoy having the opportunity to dress up in costume and celebrate “All Hallows' Eve." Many businesses feel obligated—or enjoy, as the case may be—decorating for Halloween the same way they decorate for Christmas.
A dilemma a working professional could face as Halloween approaches is what sort of activity to do and what type of “costume" to consider wearing to work. While you want to have fun, you also need to display good judgment.
So, when it comes to celebrating Halloween at work, remember to keep these five rules of thumb in mind.
Check The Policy
If you are new to the company, check out what the policy is around celebrating Halloween at work. It may not even be allowed, and you don't want to show up as the only one in costume looking foolish (or worse, having to go home to change!).
Make Sure Your Costume Is Tasteful
If costumes are allowed or even encouraged, use good taste. Be clever, but not ghoulish. Be original. Think of something you can put together from things you have at home. You don't need to spend a fortune to have a clever costume.
Decorate Your Office
If you can add to the festivities by decorating your office (or your desk) with something that is seasonally appropriate, do that as long as it falls within your workplace policy. This gets your office more into the holiday spirit, and it gives you the chance to show off your personality!
Don't Go Crazy With The Celebration
Make sure you aren't the one who goes "too far" in celebrating Halloween. Use good judgment around everything you say and do around the holiday.
Put Candy Out For Your Co-Workers
If you are in a position to have candy on your desk or in an area where people can help themselves, it might be appreciated. Make sure the candy is the type that is individually wrapped, though. Also, make sure you're cautious of any food allergies in the office.
Putting candy out helps you celebrate Halloween, but it could also help you get to know your co-workers better. They could stop by your desk, have a piece of candy, and chat for a minute or two.
At the end of the day, Halloween is one of those holidays that some people enjoy and appreciate, and others do not. Do your homework ahead of time to make sure you're celebrating within the company's guidelines. The last thing you need is to be called to the boss's office because you used poor judgment or displayed poor taste over a holiday.
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