Should I Allow Employees to Dress Up for Halloween?

“I run a small insurance agency. Last fall some of my staff asked to dress up at Halloween in costumes, but I said no. However, I noticed some tellers at our community bank dressed up. And now my employees have asked again whether they can wear costumes this year on October 31st. Should I allow employees to dress up for Halloween?”

–  Sue from St. Paul, Minnesota

Sue, that is an excellent question, one that we have heard more often in the past three years.

There is no right or wrong answer to this one. Whether you should allow employees to dress up for Halloween varies from business to business.

Before you say either yes or no, review these pointers to help you work through the decision.

Positives of Employees Dressing Up for Halloween 

No question about it: costumes are no longer just for kids.

Americans will spend over $3 billion on costumes at Halloween. And that number has grown over the past decade per the NRF. In 2018, nearly half of the adults celebrating Halloween were planning to dress up.

That’s why employees increasingly want to dress up for Halloween at work. Here are 3 positives from dressing up in the workplace:

Build Morale

Most of us are looking for something to relieve boredom in our workday. Allowing employees to dress up for Halloween can boost morale.

Everyone seems a little happier. Smiles seem a little brighter. Co-workers get along a little better. Higher morale is contagious!

Increase Customer Satisfaction

Allowing employees to dress up for Halloween can improve customer relations and boost sales:

Costumes in the workplace humanize your business. They help your staff connect better with consumers. Shoppers will remember your brand with a smile.

Grow Sales

A costume can be an icebreaker to get a sales conversation started in retail.

In a creative business such as a marketing agency or public relations firm, or perhaps a bakery or other food business, it could be a competitive differentiator. Fun creativity is highly valued in such businesses. Combine employees in costumes along with other Halloween marketing ideas for a win. For instance, creative pumpkin carving contests are always a good creative outlet.

Here are some ideas to inspire you for your workplace pumpkin carving endeavors:

Guidelines for Employees in Costumes

While there are positives, don’t let it be a free for all.

Set employee guidelines for costumes. Communicate in advance what is acceptable and what is not in your office at Halloween. Give examples.

In a small setting, you can also ask employees to clear their costume of choice in advance with you or their direct supervisor.

Here are 5 guidelines for employee costumes at Halloween.

Keep Safety Top of Mind

Do not allow bulky costumes near machinery or in potentially dangerous settings such as a factory. It only takes a small catch on a moving part for an accident to occur. You can see from above how easy it would be to catch something like a pirate’s poofy sleeve in a moving part!

Avoid Costumes In Poor Taste

Ask employees to avoid any costume that could be perceived as culturally, sexually or racially insensitive (such as dressing up as an American Indian). Remember the uproar over Prince Harry being photographed in a tasteless costume some years back?

But even popular costumes that seem harmless fun could be taken the wrong way. Picture in your mind certain costumes and how they might come across in your business.

For example, according to the National Retail Federation, these were the most common costumes for adults last year:

• 7.2 million adults planned to dress like a witch,
• 2.5 million suited up as a vampire,
• 2.1 million opted to go as a zombie,
• 1.9 million wanted to dress as a pirate, and
• 1.3 million chose their favorite Avengers costume such as Iron Man or Black Panther.

As fun as these costumes sound, it could be in poor taste for the receptionist in an urgent care clinic to dress up like a zombie. Or a blood bank worker to dress up like a vampire.

Or a restaurant server to dress up like a rat or cockroach.

Limit Masks and Halloween Makeup

Full face masks are never a good idea in the workplace. Customers and coworkers want to see facial expressions. Masks also impede communication. Besides, they seem creepy.

And what about dramatic Halloween makeup? Some makeup can cover most or all of the face, as the image above shows.

But one person’s visual masterpiece is another person’s annoying distraction when trying to conduct business.

In businesses such as a bar or nightclubs, dramatic faces could be a real hit. In office and professional settings, ask employees to tone it down.

Light face painting (e.g., whiskers for cats or nose coloring to suggest a scarecrow) may be an acceptable alternative. Some employers choose not to allow any face coverings at all — just costumes.

Minimize Dressing Up by Certain Personnel

In some occupations, costumes seem … well … wrong. Would you want police officers or surgeons to get dressed up for Halloween?

Think about the professionalism your customers and clients expect.

One thing you can do is limit costumes to certain personnel.

For example, in a medical, legal or financial business, dressing up may be okay for personnel such as receptionists or billing clerks. But costumes might undermine client trust if donned by financial planners or attorneys. Nurses wearing bulky costumes or ones that shed could be a health concern.

Be Sensitive to Religious Objections

Back in 2006, Gallup did a survey of Americans and found about 11% of people have religious objections to Halloween. People who object on religious grounds do so because of Halloween’s connection to the devil and pagan rituals. They might find costumes like the one pictured above offensive.

The survey is a bit old, but the point is still valid. A small percentage of your employees (and customers) may object to Halloween. Two thoughts around this:

• You might prefer to keep costumes and celebrations focused on fun themes like scarecrows, pumpkins and fanciful characters like princesses and robots. Stay away from themes associated with the occult or the devil.
• Make sure employees do not feel under peer pressure to dress up. Openly communicate that it’s optional and an individual choice.

Here’s a table of the guidelines that managers can reference when that spooky holiday rolls around:

Hold an Event Instead

If you want to do something for employee morale and to celebrate with customers but don’t want to allow employees to dress up for Halloween, hold an event instead.

Arrange a customer open house with Halloween treats. Bring in a face painter for the kids. Hold a pet parade. Be more relaxed this day and make it an experience to remember. See more Halloween events.

More Ideas When Considering Whether to Allow Employees to Dress up for Halloween

Deciding on Halloween costumes in the workplace involves more than just fun and creativity. It’s about fostering a positive, inclusive environment without compromising professionalism. Here are some more insights to guide your decision, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable experience for all employees during the Halloween.

Create a Theme for Uniformity

Consider setting a theme for Halloween costumes. This can unify the team and make the event more cohesive. Themes can range from classic Halloween characters to more creative concepts like favorite book characters or movie stars. This approach can also prevent inappropriate or offensive costumes.

Organize a Costume Contest

A costume contest can add excitement and encourage participation. Set categories like ‘Most Creative’, ‘Funniest Costume’, or ‘Best Group Costume’ to cater to different interests. Ensure the contest rules are clear and prizes are appropriate for the workplace.

Encourage Team-Building Activities

Halloween can be an opportunity for team-building. Encourage departments or teams to collaborate on their costumes or decorations. This not only fosters a sense of team spirit but also injects a fun and competitive element into the day.

Address Customer Interactions

If your business involves direct customer interaction, consider how costumes might affect this. For instance, you might allow more casual costumes for back-office staff, but request front-line staff to wear more professional, themed attire that aligns with your brand image.

Consider a Casual Dress Day

If full costumes are too much, consider a ‘Halloween Casual Dress Day’ where employees can wear Halloween-themed colors or accessories. This can be a more subdued way to celebrate the occasion without going overboard.

Set Clear End Times

Specify when the Halloween festivity ends, especially if it’s during work hours. This helps in maintaining a balance between fun and productivity, ensuring that the workday resumes normally after the celebrations.

Communicate Expectations Clearly

Whatever your decision, communicate it clearly to all employees. Outline what is allowed and what isn’t. Clear communication can prevent misunderstandings and ensure everyone is on the same page.

Provide Alternative Participation Options

For those who may not want to dress up, offer alternative ways to participate, such as decorating their workspace. This ensures inclusivity for all employees.

Be Mindful of Cultural Sensitivity

Ensure that the celebration respects all cultures and backgrounds. Encourage employees to avoid costumes that could potentially mock or appropriate any culture or religion.

Assess the Impact on Productivity

Consider how dressing up might affect the day’s productivity. If you anticipate a significant disruption, you might opt for a more low-key celebration or save the festivities for after work hours.

By considering these points, you can create a Halloween celebration that is fun, inclusive, and appropriate for your workplace environment.

All answers to reader questions come from the Small Business Trends Editorial Board, with more than 50 years of combined business experience. If you would like to submit a question, please submit it here.

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