What American Employees Want for the Holidays

A recent survey from HR services provider Randstad US explores workers’ attitudes and preferences about the holiday season in the workplace. Predictably, it finds some employees enjoy the season, while others struggle with workplace merriment.

The survey does offer insight for companies, however.

Time, Holiday Spirit, and Giving

When asked to identify what they love most about holidays in the workplace, 70 percent of workers say “time off” tops their list, while 34 percent look forward to getting a bonus. Meanwhile, familiar workplace holiday traditions like cookie swaps (11 percent) and gift exchanges (9 percent) were lower priorities. But “holiday spirit in the workplace” (54 percent) and “happier/more generous coworkers” (41 percent) rank high.
Perhaps most noteworthy, 75 percent of respondents say it is important to them that their companies participate in holiday philanthropic initiatives like food drives or other charitable donations.
Findings suggest what workers value most about the holidays in the workplace is largely about relationships, and that opportunities to connect with colleagues and their communities are more meaningful and therefore more appreciated than structured celebrations.

Office Parties

The survey finds most employees are neutral about holiday parties, and parties aren’t their holiday “gift” of choice.

• 90 percent of employees say they would prefer to get a bonus or extra vacation days than have a holiday party.
• 62 percent of respondents agree they feel obligated to attend their employer’s holiday party, but younger employees feel more pressure to attend (74 percent of workers 18-24 years old and 69 percent of workers 25-34 years old compared with 51 percent of workers 65 and older).
• 77 percent say their company is sensitive to diversity and inclusion and considers different religious beliefs and cultures when planning holiday celebrations.

Giving Spirit, Sort of

Employees are big on company philanthropic initiatives, but when it comes to their colleagues, they’re less likely to get in the giving spirit.
Younger generations are the most generous; 47 percent of workers 18-24 years old and 25-34 years old agree their companies should participate in holiday charitable endeavors, compared to only 31 percent of workers 50-64 years old.

Time Off, Sort of

Even though “time off” tops the list of holiday wants, and for most employees the holidays mean taking time off to spend with family and friends, the survey finds work is still on employees’ minds, whether they’re checking email or planning their next career move.

• 62 percent of employees plan to take vacation during the holiday season, but 52 percent say their company gives no additional time off around the holidays.
• 63 percent of workers say they still check email when on vacation, and 31 percent say they check in with the office because they feel it makes them appear more diligent.
• 28 percent of employees admit to using paid sick days instead of their vacation time at the end of the year.
• Nearly one third of workers admit to job searching or exploring during the holidays, since it’s usually less hectic this time of year.