Holiday Plans
 December 12, 2004

We did a quick survey of some of our clients as to their plans for holiday parties and days off. Half of firms we talked to are having a formal holiday function that includes spouses. About two-thirds of firms are having some form of in-office function on December 23rd although most firms are continuing to de-emphasize alcohol by serving wine, beer and soda. One trend that seems to be reversing itself is the movement toward combined attorney/staff holiday functions over recent years. A number of firms are planning separate parties because getting everyone together at one function made it too big and impersonal.

Plans for days off seem to be all over the map. A majority of firms seem to be giving either a full or half day off on Friday, December 24th and Friday, December 31st. Some firms we talked to are giving the following Monday off for both holidays. Several firms are giving employees the choice of taking these days off or accepting two “floating holidays” that they can use when they wish. As a general rule, most firms will officially be open on both days but will be operating with skeleton staffing.

It is interesting to watch the creativity that the Saturday holiday schedule has brought out in law firm HR Directors and Office Administrators. A number of firms that are planning to be open on the two Fridays are planning special events. The most popular seems to be a breakfast on both days including one firm that will have a surprise Breakfast with Santa (the firm managing partner will play Santa). Several firms are planning on having strolling carol singers and one firm will have a pianist playing holiday songs in the firm’s reception area. A firm in Chicago has divided the 12 Days of Christmas among its staff department with each planning a lunch hour “mini party” around one of the days (lords a’ leaping, swans a’ swimming, etc.).