No Christmas party in the ’Pub in the middle of nowhere’

(© Image: Depositphotos) - Bad-tempered or laudatory superiors, employees who drink too much alcohol and misbehave, a stiff atmosphere, forced contemplation or a party in a "pub in the middle of nowhere" - there are many factors that can turn the annual Christmas party at work into a disaster. There are a few basic rules that can turn the end of the year with colleagues into an unforgettable joyful event. Occupational psychologist Hannes Zacher from the University of Leipzig has researched these rules and the importance of the Christmas party with the team and published his findings in the journal Scientific Reports. "The Christmas party as a ritual is a reflection of the organizational culture and should be something appreciative of the past year," he says. It is precisely these rituals that have hardly been scientifically investigated by experts to date. In January 2019, Zacher therefore asked a total of 359 employees of different age and salary groups from a wide range of industries across Germany what contributes to a successful company Christmas party and what detracts from the atmosphere. The results, he says, are "more relevant than ever".