Forget Zoom, In-Person Holiday Parties are Making a Comeback at the Office

High COVID vaccination rates inspire companies like NRIA to host smaller, lower-key celebrations

SECAUCUS, NEW JERSEY / ACCESSWIRE / December 15, 2021 / The company holiday party is making a comeback this year. And for corporations like New Jersey real estate development firm National Realty Investment Advisors (NRIA), the celebrations are a little different this year.

In the Before Times, company holiday parties were something employees could look forward to. A time to kick back, bond with co-workers and hopefully enjoy some delicious food and fun drinks on the company dime. Of course, not everyone was a fan of these events, with their sometimes forced and awkward small talk. But, in general, the corporate holiday celebration left most with good feelings during a festive time of year.

That all changed in 2020. With the pandemic upon us, corporate holiday parties were canceled or went virtual. And if it's true that the annual office party is one of those "love it or hate it" things, then the zoom party leaned more towards hate. After spending all day on their computers, the last thing most employees in today's workforce wanted was to "celebrate" by spending more time in front of one.

Fast forward to today and the company holiday party is indeed making a comeback. With vaccination rates increasing, and the natural human need to socialize reappearing, the in-person office shin-dig is once again a hot topic around the real life (or remote) water cooler.

In fact, 27% of companies surveyed in a report by Illinois-based outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, say that they will have an in-person party this year, compared to just 5% last year. And the businesses holding virtual holiday events? Down from 17% in 2020 to just 7% today.

But though the annual holiday party may be returning as an in-person event this season, it's likely to be changed from years past. Companies are looking to modify the events with the coronavirus in mind.

"Now that we're entering the second pandemic holiday season, companies want to celebrate and connect their teams, but are not quite sure how to do it," said Andrew Challenger, senior vice president of Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc., in a release.

For National Realty Investment Advisors, the Secaucus, New Jersey-based real estate investment firm, the answer to how to do this year's company holiday party is to keep it small and in-house.

NRIA will be holding their event at their office headquarters in Secaucus at the end of a regular workday and only NRIA employees will be in attendance, according to NRIA chief operating officer Glenn La Mattina. That way no one will be exposed to anyone they don't already see everyday. This gives employees a sense of safety at a time when new and highly contagious COVID variants are spreading throughout the country.

NRIA leadership is planning this un-fussy, intimate office gathering to honor its employees, said Anthony Gramuglia, communications manager for NRIA. The firm will order out food from a local favorite restaurant, he said, and employees can simply enjoy each other's conversation and company.

"We believe this is the correct response to a national pandemic," Gramuglia said. "Given the current climate we decided to not have anything public, in order to be respectful of our employees and their health. Even with vaccinations, there is still a danger to be aware of. We have some older and other at-risk employees and it's important for us to put their needs first."

Of course, despite the fears surrounding the pandemic, NRIA hopes to give its employees a well-deserved, relaxing and enjoyable afternoon for their holiday party.

These parties reinforce to a company's employees that they are valued and appreciated, Gramuglia said, and help to increase company morale.

"NRIA has had a very successful year," Gramuglia said. "We've broken ground on new properties and our employees have done all they can to push us forward. They should be rewarded for their efforts."

NRIA's La Mattina also said that the annual holiday affair helps create the "family" feel that NRIA works to cultivate all year. "Let's give back to our family," he said, "they've taken us this far."

Gramuglia adds that it's important to remember that company holiday parties are not just about a reward for profits and returns.

"It's not just about accomplishments," he said. "It's just a time of year to celebrate. And that feel's good. It's a happy time of year."

About NRIA

With a history of over a decade of delivering the highest quality in construction, NRIA, headquartered in Secaucus, New Jersey, has earned its reputation as one of the leading real estate developers in the nation.

For more information about NRIA, visit www.nria.net.

Contact information:

Dawn Ouellette Nixon
ReputePR
212-736-0800
cam@reputepr.com
https://www.reputepr.com/
December 15, 2021

SOURCE: NRIA