SavvySugar

What Would You Choose For Your Office-Birthday Treat?

SavvySugar — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 11:30:57 -0800

Jim and Dwight took their party-planning responsibilities seriously in last night's episode of The Office, blowing up balloons, decorating a sheet cake, and even thinking of a theme for Kelley's birthday.

The demanding birthday girl got the cake no matter what, but the planning duo gave Kelley the option of taking a one-hour nap or watching one hour of TV for her birthday treat. Kelley went for the nap, which is exactly what I would choose without hesitation. What about you?

Photo courtesy of NBC

What's Your Most Memorable Office Party Moment?

SavvySugar — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 11:30:47 -0800

Office holiday parties have the tendency to be awkward, to say the least, which is the reason many workers say they need alcohol to have a good time at these festive functions. On last night's episode of The Office, Meredith took this necessity to the next level and got hammered on a potent alcoholic potion (equal parts scotch, rum, absinthe, gin, vermouth, triple sec, and two packs of Splenda) concocted by the Scranton branch boss himself, Michael Scott.

In celebration of the party's "Nights in Morocco" theme, Meredith lifted up her shirt to show off her belly-dancing skills, and while dancing her hair somehow catches on fire. Check out the video of the absolutely ridiculous Dunder-Mifflin party, and then tell me, what's your most memorable office party moment?

Do You Need Alcohol to Enjoy Your Office Holiday Party?

SavvySugar — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 04:30:02 -0800

It seems that beer goggles have expanded their functionality from bars to office holiday parties. According to a YouGov survey of 1,429 UK workers, 43 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds and 45 percent of 25- to 34-year-olds admitted to needing alcohol to enjoy their office parties; co-workers and bosses seem more tolerable when these workers are under the influence.

Reliance on alcohol dropped as the respondents' ages increased: 32 percent of 34- to 44-year-olds said alcohol was necessary to have a good time, while 25 percent of those aged 45-54 agreed. The survey concluded that, overall, 28 percent of workers depend on alcohol for fun at office holiday parties. Because the booze is on the house and the social company isn't stimulating or makes you nervous, as is the case at many work parties, the survey findings aren't too surprising.

Let's do ourselves a favor though, and make sure we stay under our limit at these functions. Do you belong in the group that can't stand being around your co-workers and bosses any longer than a typical work day without the help of alcohol?

Did You Get the Office Memo? The Party's Over

SavvySugar — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 14:15:37 -0800

Now that we're officially in an economic recession, it probably won't come as a shocker that this holiday may seem a little short on company-sponsored festivities. Even the traditionally lavish Google is downsizing its holiday party this year - gone are the days of ice sculptures of the company's logo.

According to one survey, 2008 will have the lowest percentage of corporate holiday functions seen in the US in the past 20 years; roughly 20 percent of businesses are downsizing or canceling Christmas festivities, with at least 65 percent of New York businesses scaling back or cutting their holiday functions. Some are forgoing virtually all overhead costs, opting to throw a potluck party at the most memorable of settings: the office. Holiday parties are far from a necessity, so it makes smart sense that companies have seriously slashed these costs.

How is your employer handling the holidays this year?

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Is Your Company Having a Holiday Party This Year?

SavvySugar — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 14:00:17 -0700

The chill in the air can only mean that the holidays are just around the corner, which usually means an invitation for the annual office party would appear in your inbox any day now. Word on the street is that after a rough year that included the termination of CosmoGIRL!, Hearst Corp. has canceled its holiday party, and perhaps its decision is an indication of what other corporations will do about celebrating this year.

I imagine the party scene this holiday season will look much different than what most workers are used to - if not canceled altogether, most company parties will probably be more prudent than in the past.

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The Office Baby Shower Is Storkless But There's Cake

SavvySugar — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 11:20:17 -0700

Workday parties at the office are usually hard to get excited about - it's not that people don't care about their co-worker's birthday or baby, but most gatherings are inevitably awkward and employees are surprised to realize they'd rather be at their desks. Unless, of course, there are enticing treats involving icing.

Phyllis understands this and uses sheet cake as motivation for the Dunder Mifflin employees to donate money for Jan's baby shower on last night's episode of The Office. She tells Stanley and Oscar to "look at it as if you're paying for the cake, not the baby, sheet cake." Check out the video below of the party committee preparing for the baby shower. What's your take on conference room parties? Does cake make everything better?

Would You Want an Office Bridal Shower?

SavvySugar — Wed, 14 May 2008 09:51:37 -0700

Some offices have the tradition of celebrating a bride-to-be with an office bridal shower. These resemble your usual shower typically put on by friends and family, except it's planned by your office mates and the guest list is limited to your female co-workers. Sometimes the women spearheading the shower will try and surprise the bride and they secretly send invitations to all female employees and include registry information. The party is typically held during lunchtime and likely takes place in a big conference room. More often than not, cake is involved.

To see all of our wedding season coverage, check out IDoSugar.

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Your Two Cents: Is Drinking Beer Unprofessional?

SavvySugar — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 06:29:19 -0800

I've heard mixed opinions about women carrying bottled beer around at a professional event. I'm really unsure if there's such thing as a professional beverage, but if there is one it might not be your favorite brew. Do you think there's anything wrong with drinking beer at a work function?

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Your Two Cents: Do You Invite Co-Workers to Your Parties?

SavvySugar — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:45:33 -0700

Including co-workers and your boss in your wedding day can be a sensitive subject. Inviting friends you've made at work who also serve as friends outside of the workplace seems like the right choice, but it can still be dicey and cause hurt feelings. On this week's The Office, the entire branch road trips to Niagara Falls to attend Pam and Jim's nuptials. It's sweet and fitting, considering the crew has watched the lovebirds go from co-workers to an expectant couple, but plenty of awkward scenes ensue (including a particularly uncomfortable scene when boss Michael Scott riffs about safe sex at the rehearsal dinner).

Do your office mates make your party guest lists, or do you keep your personal and professional party lives completely separate?

Photo courtesy of NBC

Ask Savvy: How Do I Tell My Co-Worker Her Lunch Stinks?

SavvySugar — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 10:34:38 -0700

Dear Savvy,
I work in a small office with four other people. I am lucky in many ways - they are smart, funny, and friendly. We coexist well, and three of us usually grab lunch together or send one person out for takeout. Our fourth co-worker is a nice woman, but she is the quiet loner of the group who doesn't partake in our lunch missions. In fact, she brings in strange, saucy food everyday, heats it up in the kitchen right near our workspace, and eats it at her desk. It stinks. And I'm not talking about a faint scent of food that passes in 10 minutes. I'm talking about really, really smelly grub. My most outspoken co-worker has asked her to open the window on occasion, but she seems totally oblivious that the rest of us are suffering. How can I tell her that her lunch makes us sick without offending her?
Thanks,
Sensitive to Scents Sally

Savvy says: Smelly lunches at the office are no laughing matter and a very common problem. PartySugar has tackled this phenomenon before and says bringing stinky food is a major breach of office etiquette. I agree with her. Most SavvySugar readers admit they judge their co-workers by their lunch smells or have been bothered by a co-worker's food before. You don't want to resent this woman because of her lunch. To see what I think you should say, read more.

If you worked at a larger office, I would suggest talking to HR and having them do the dirty work for you by sending out a blanket email about shared space, eating in the kitchen, and making sure to open windows midday for proper ventilation. Given your office size, it sounds like you will need to take matters into your own hands. Start by mentioning "it smells like food" a few times and asking if you can open the window. If you do this throughout the week she'll catch on and be more conscious about her lunch. If she doesn't change her habits immediately, talk to her and be completely honest. Tell her you appreciate that she wants to eat in the office so she can push through work, but you have a queasy stomach and any fancy food scents upset you. Ask her if she wants to eat outside on a park bench with you (the breeze will blow it away). Focus on your sensitive nose and stomach and not her strange food and she won't be offended.

It's likely that she will alter the food she brings in or become more conscious about her lunch once she realizes it is bothering you, but if things don't improve you may just have to make it work. After all, she may think your food is disgusting too. You can always use the half hour it takes for the smell to dissipate to grab your lunch or take a walk around the block. Like it or not, you will be sharing space with your co-workers so long as you work together, so you just have to bear the scents.