Nicholas Craig column

Nov 18 2005 By Nicholas Craig, The Journal

Far be it from me to pour scorn on politically correct policies.

I'm sure many are well intentioned. In this season of office parties, however, it seems that many thousands of employees will have to make do with only a cheery cup of tea to celebrate Christmas this year thanks to PC dictats.

Out of 3,500 company bosses questioned about their plans for office parties, four out of five said they had decided not to organise a get-together for staff.

Whatever reasons they gave, it seems most are put off by high-profile cases resulting from bad behaviour.

They do not want their staff to run the gauntlet of the new, stricter sexual harassment Act, or become tired and emotional in front of younger employees.

For all those staff looking forward to the only corporate event they are ever invited to, it seems the spectre of civil claims will dampen their enjoyment in 2005. The intention of most get-togethers, however, is admirable.

They allow staff to relax, meet newcomers and chat face to face, which in this cyberspace century happens less often than it should.

Cancelling Christmas cheer for the office is not the answer for employers worried about the consequences of mixing the workplace and alcohol. Parties can let the lid off pent-up opinions, good or bad. Without the event, those negative feelings will continue to fester.

It is far better to find out a bit more about each other instead. It may still end in insults, but they would at least be better informed than those imagined during months of simmering, silent resentment. It's all about communication. The more we do of it, the better we'll get at working together.

Offices need more opportunities to get together informally, not fewer. They cauterise grudges better than any management mantras. Chatting to colleagues is getting back to basics - simple, direct and memorable as a result.

As long as we remember to stick rigidly to the politically correct tips put out by kindly teetotallers we will all live to enjoy another party. So, don't drink, don't go anywhere near mistletoe, don't dance with anyone who has not listened to the first two tips, don't drive home or anywhere else and don't get emotional, however beautiful the moment.

You may find fewer people talk to you than you'd wish, but you'll feel sensationally smug in the morning.