Joe Kapraszewski’s Post

Workplace Halloween parties are fraught with peril. Jon Hyman has some great posts about this sort of stuff and I won't steal his thunder, but suffice to say, he's totally right. Costumes, alcohol, possibly THC-edibles (depending on state), and the workplace -- when mixed together -- tend to create chaos. Someone inevitably makes a race-based joke, or invents a come-on in their mind and squeezes someone who didn't consent. It's all bad. On top of that, there's always someone who didn't get the memo that blackface has been inappropriate since the dawn of time. Or there's someone who engages in some sort of really gross or crass cultural misappropriation. All that to say, if you're thinking of hosting a work Halloween party, maybe think again. Let people do dumb things on their own time. Doing it on work time (or in work areas) is a recipe for disaster. Or just do what you want and then have HR send out an email afterwards with the subject line: Double, bubble, you're in trouble...

🎃👻 How to Avoid a Spooky HR Call This Halloween 👻🎃 As Halloween approaches, many of us are excited to share our creativity and humour with our costumes and embrace the festive spirit. However, before you reach for that outrageous outfit, let’s take a moment to consider how to keep the fun alive without landing yourself in HR’s haunted house. Here are some light-hearted yet sincere tips to ensure your costume doesn’t raise any eyebrows (or red flags): 1. Skip the Stereotypes: While dressing as a pirate or a vampire is classic, steer clear of costumes that perpetuate stereotypes or could be deemed offensive. Remember, it’s all fun and games until someone feels marginalized! 2. Avoid Sensitive Topics: Costumes that reference current events, political figures, or social issues can be a recipe for disaster. Unless you want to be the ghost of HR’s past, it’s best to keep it light and non-controversial. 3. Think Inclusively: Halloween is for everyone! Choose a costume that celebrates creativity without alienating others. A friendly ghost or a beloved cartoon character is always a safe bet. 4. Consult the Crystal Ball (or Your Colleagues): If you’re unsure about your costume choice, ask a trusted colleague for their opinion. They might just save you from a last-minute wardrobe malfunction that could lead to an awkward HR meeting. 5. Remember the Company Culture: Every workplace has its own vibe. If your office is known for its professionalism, it might be best to save that inflatable dinosaur costume for the weekend. Halloween is a time for creativity and fun, but let’s keep it respectful and inclusive. By following these tips, you can enjoy the festivities without putting a nail in your career coffin. Happy Halloween, and may your costume be both clever and considerate! 🎉👻 #Halloween #WorkplaceCulture #CostumeTips #HRFriendly

🎃 Halloween and the Masks We Wear Every Day 🎃 On Halloween, children everywhere put on masks and costumes, transforming into something new for a night. But as adults, we wear masks every day at work and in business, and that’s not only okay—it’s necessary. 👔 And sometimes we need to put on masks in order to become the person we need to be. 🎭 For example - In order for me to grow Brilliant Beyond Belief to be a $100 Million Dollar Company, I need to put on the $100 Million CEO mask. 👨💼 Each role—whether it’s my husband mask, father mask, CEO mask, or friend mask—brings out a different side of me. There’s some overlap, sure, but each is uniquely important. We constantly adapt to our environment. We don’t talk or act the same way with our parents as we do with our best mates. So why are we expected to be the exact same in our work? Wearing different masks doesn’t make us any less authentic. Embrace all the roles you play, and remember they’re all part of who you truly are. 🎭 #Authenticity #Adaptability #Leadership #Halloween #WorkLife #PersonalGrowth #EmbraceTheJourney

Halloween. The dress up is fun, the people are great, the lollies - icing on the cake, but why do we do this? People are afraid to ask a neighbour to watch their plants these days, let alone walk around grabbing lollies, and anything else on offer, from complete strangers with a beautifully decorated scare house. I’m 40 and for the first time in my life, I went trick or treating last night with my daughter who was pumped and the cutest witch in town. Soph said to me at bed time, (at least 8 lollies deep and an hour late), "why do we trick or treat Mumma…?" (side thought, i wouldn't of gone if i had the choice 😅 ) My response. “It’s silly huh. You go round people’s houses dressed up in costumes, and get lollies from people you don’t know, but its fun running round with your friends” she laughed… “It’s silly aye Mumma, the people had yucky masks on, but I like lollies”. In the professional world, the connection between trick-or-treating and job selection is almost identical. Just as kids chase after lollies, adults pursue financial gain, sometimes at the expense of what really is important to us – What we want, what we need, and what makes us happy. Majority of stats I’ve pulled over the last few weeks note individuals are perusing money, freedom and stability – like the basis of Halloween – you know the date its on, you can dress in whatever you like, you know the outcome - sweet treats. Next year i may look at Halloween a little different. Maybe understand the reason behind it, what you get from it and why we do it… maybe even resonate why we are a part of it all together, and want to be involved at all? What do we want? What do we need? It’s not just about the immediate rewards but also the long-term satisfaction and purpose. Perhaps it's time to reassess our own "trick or treat" moments and decide what we truly want to take away from them, an opportunity to look past the "yucky masks" and rewards on offer, foster environments that prioritise genuine professional relationships with CRE8 Talent Solutions moving forward, and for those we can do without. "Trick or Treat" #tradition #recruitment #values #cre8talentsolutions

20 Spooktacular Ideas to Celebrate Halloween at Work from the Career Addict website Here's a sample of the big list: 1. Make a spooky breakfast Each team member can be tasked with making one Halloween-themed recipe, and you can vote on the most creative breakfast item! 2. Award the best costume Kudos to the workers who get on public transport dressed in bizarre outfits, all for their love of Halloween. To encourage employees to wear their costumes to work for the day, host a costume parade and offer prizes for the following categories: best costume, funniest costume, most sophisticated costume... 3. Arrange themed games Bobbing for apples is a tradition many of your employees would rather skip, but offer an appealing prize for those who decide to partake. It’s also heaps of fun for those who are just watching. Other games include candy counting (trying to guess how many sweets are in a jar). Art by Microsoft CoPilot Designer #internalcommunications #Halloween #HR #communications #workplace https://buff.ly/3MUcnf3

👻 Hope you had a scary and fun Halloween, LinkedIn! 🎃 Yesterday, I dressed up as Waldo—the classic character who’s always hiding in plain sight. 🕵️♂️ It got me thinking 🤔 💬 Isn’t it funny? Sometimes, it can feel like playing workplace politics is just like finding Waldo… hard to see, hard to call out, but definitely there. 😅 Have you ever felt like you’re doing great work but getting lost in the crowd, like a Waldo among the waves of red and white stripes? When office politics come into play, it can sometimes feel like standing out for the right reasons is nearly impossible. Here are a few ways to stay true to yourself and stand out, even among the politics: 🌟 Brag and Tag: Learned this from Alison Fragale, she wrote an amazing book (I highly recommend it!) And when you are talking about your work talk about it with pride. Plus mention other people who helped with your work. Share the glory. Everyone wins. 💡 Value Others: Don't wait for someone to value you. Take the initiative and value others. When you speak up and appreciate others contributions you are modeling it for others and you will find other people will value you! 🤝 Appreciate Your Own Authenticity: Be you! That is your only competitive advantage. You can't be other people you can only be you? People notice realness! Let’s all work be “findable” for the right reasons. So here’s the question: 👉 What’s one strategy you use to stand out of the crowd? #Halloween #whereswaldo #workplaceculture #standout #beseen

Growing up, Halloween always felt like a festival we only saw in those classic Hollywood movies, where neighborhoods came alive with costumes, trick-or-treating, and all things spooky. But today, it's exciting to see how Halloween is slowly becoming a part of our celebrations in India, especially at work. And my team and I at Itsy Bitsy Pvt Ltd are super excited to bring you our biggest Halloween range yet! From spine-chilling decorations to unique DIY kits and costume accessories, we’ve got everything you need to throw a spooky yet memorable party. Because the excitement of Halloween isn’t just for kids anymore; it’s something corporates can dive into as well. Imagine this: 🎃 Team members dressed in creative costumes, bringing out their playful side 👻 Office spaces transformed with spooky décor, adding a touch of Halloween magic to the daily grind 🍬 Fun games and themed treats creating moments that spark laughter and team bonding For me, it's about more than just the holiday—it’s about creating an experience that brings people together, even in a corporate setting. Whether you’re planning a Halloween party or a themed event, Itsy Bitsy has everything you need to bring that spooky spirit to your workplace. I’ve seen firsthand how these moments build camaraderie and leave lasting memories, and we’d love to help more teams experience the same. Ready to bring some Halloween fun to your office? Check out our exciting Halloween collections from Itsy Bitsy stores or visit our website! . #CorporateHalloween #EventPlanning #CreativeEvents #corporates

As Halloween approaches, many workplaces like yours embrace the spirit of the holiday by allowing employees to dress up in costumes for the day. It's a fun opportunity to boost morale, foster creativity, and add a little excitement to the workweek. However, costumes call for good choices and responsibility. To ensure everyone feels comfortable and safe, it’s important to establish guidelines that encourage appropriate costume choices while still allowing for fun and self-expression. Here’s how you can set the stage for a successful and inclusive Halloween celebration in the workplace. TIPS HERE: https://lnkd.in/euih8R9A #Halloween #halloween2024 #halloweenatwork #HalloweenSafety #employeesafety #hradvice #employeeengagement #employeeengagement

As Halloween approaches, many workplaces like yours embrace the spirit of the holiday by allowing employees to dress up in costumes for the day. It's a fun opportunity to boost morale, foster creativity, and add a little excitement to the workweek. However, costumes call for good choices and responsibility. To ensure everyone feels comfortable and safe, it’s important to establish guidelines that encourage appropriate costume choices while still allowing for fun and self-expression. Here’s how you can set the stage for a successful and inclusive Halloween celebration in the workplace. TIPS HERE: https://lnkd.in/eGD3BnUd #Halloween #halloween2024 #halloweenatwork #HalloweenSafety #employeesafety #hradvice #employeeengagement #employeeengagement

#CostumeParty #WorkplaceFun #Halloween #HRAdvice Hey everyone! 🎃 I’d love to tap into your collective wisdom today. So, here’s the scoop: I’ve been in HR for about four years now and recently started managing my own small team. With Halloween around the corner, we’re tossing around the idea of throwing a costume party at work. Sounds fun, right? But here’s where my anxiety kicks in—how do I effectively set boundaries around costumes? 🤔 My biggest concerns are: Costumes that could be seen as NSFW: We all know Halloween can bring out some...interesting choices, and I definitely want to maintain a professional environment. Violent or offensive themes: Some costumes can tread into really sensitive territories, and I want to avoid any discomfort. In my past experiences, I’ve learned that clear communication is key. A few strategies I’m considering are: Establishing Theme Guidelines: Maybe we could set a fun theme (like “Superheroes” or “Classic Movie Characters”) to guide costume choi... How Can I Set Costume Guidelines for a Work Halloween Party? Answers: https://lnkd.in/g393kKwB