Holiday parties growing inclusive

Back in the 1980s, Santa Claus, his reindeer, and those impish elves were the life of a lot of company-sponsored holiday parties.

These days, heightened interest in social responsibility and concerns about political correctness are having an impact on many holiday bashes and on St. Nicholas himself -- even in a booming economy.

"A lot of human resource managers know it's best not to include all the trappings of Christmas at the typical holiday party," says Barry Lawrence, a spokesman for the Society for Human Resource Management in Arlington, Va. "If you have a party and just have Santa Claus, you're sending out a wrong message. So, some companies aren't having Santa at all. "Basically, you have to be careful, not just with the party but also with holiday cards," says Lawrence. "You have to make sure the party and the cards appeal to a broad range of folks" so as not to make Jews, Muslims, Jehovah Witnesses or other religious groups feel left out of the merriment. Cognex, a high-technology company in Natick, Mass., no longer refers to its holiday bash as a "Christmas" party because some employees might find it offensive. "We typically call our party the holiday party rather than the Christmas party, which allows us to stay away from targeting any one religion," says Shay Tressa, a company spokesperson. "That means that there is no Santa or Christmas tree in the building. If people want to decorate their own cubicles or offices, that's fine. We just want everybody to feel included." At Back Bay Entertainment in Boston, owner Jack Lambert believes holiday employment opportunities for Santa and his entourage just aren't what they used to be. Lambert's actors are working just as hard, but not as Santa Clauses. Instead, Lambert is booking his actors for jobs as Victorian carolers and story book characters such as Paddington Bear and Arthur the Aardvark. "Santa just isn't the calling card that he used to be," Lambert notes sadly. "The one call I had for Santa was from someone who wanted to book a Santa and Mrs. Claus. The truth is a lot of companies are leaning toward carolers and other themes." Christine Altieri, corporate event planner at Hopple Popple, put it more bluntly. "Santa has become passe," she says. "People feel like Santa crosses a line." So, what kind of holiday themes are companies using this year? "Now, it's more a winter wonderland event. Very seldom do we see a Santa Claus theme anymore," says Altieri. "If Santa is needed at all, it's for children's parties." Nonetheless, with or without Santa, employees can look forward to generous gifts from employers this year, including bonuses and extra days off, say benefits specialists. The primary reason: a splendid year for most companies who saw their stock prices rise in a booming economy. In its annual corporate holiday survey of 647 U.S. firms, Romac International, an outplacement firm in Tampa, Fla., reports that 60 percent will close early on Christmas Eve to give employees extra time with their families; 54 percent will host a party with cocktails, dinner, dancing and some form of entertainment; 26 percent will give year-end bonuses; and more than 78 percent are planning to offer 10 or more paid holidays in 1998. "There is a great deal of stress in the workplace," says Jack Erdlen, vice president of Romac's human resources division. "Employers can use this occasion to help employees to relax and enjoy the spirit of the holiday season." One example: Cognex is planning an extravagant holiday bash this year with holiday bonuses and special perseverence awards for employees who have been with the company for 5, 10, or 15 years. "Our parties are pretty extravagant," says Tressa. "We have them at the Sheraton. Women wear evening gowns, guys wear tuxes. We have a reception and cocktails. Last year, we had roving carolers in period costumes, and company executives gave a special performance." Last year, Cognex gave out free weekend getaways to such vacation places as Disney World, New Orleans, and Lake George, N.Y., to 10 employees who had been with the company five years. Also last year, two employees with 10 years' seniority received a one-week vacation to Jamaica, London, or Paris. The prize for 15 years' seniority: a wonders-of-the-world vacation to see the pyramids in Egypt, or the Grand Canyon in Colorado. In 1996, the free trip was awarded to the company's senior legal counsel. This year, says Tressa, two employees will be eligible. Cognex is holding its holiday party on Dec. 12, but Tressa isn't offering any details. "We like to keep that information under wraps," she says. "About 275 people are coming, and each of them can bring a guest. It's a big to-do. Each year, the goal is to surprise people. They expect it."

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