Turkey Talk and HR Tactics: The Hilarious Side of Thanksgiving Month

Gather ‘Round the Table: HR Takes on Thanksgiving

As the leaves start to turn, and the sweet smell of pumpkin spice fills the air, it’s that time of year again—Thanksgiving! While everyone is busy fretting over turkey sizes and pie flavors, let’s take a moment to appreciate our HR departments, who are navigating this mix of festivity and chaos with a smile (often hiding behind a plate of cranberry sauce).

The Office Potluck: An HR Lawyer’s Worst Nightmare

What’s more chaotic than your family’s Thanksgiving dinner? An office potluck! The “What are you bringing?” game can rival any competitive sport. HR staff often find themselves creating a checklist more exhaustive than Thanksgiving dinner planning just to avoid foodborne illnesses and allergic reactions. Golden rule for HR: if it has more than three toppings, steer clear! And make sure to remind everyone to label their dishes. That mystery casserole? Not a risk worth taking!

HR’s Top Tips for Surviving Thanksgiving Office Shenanigans

Thanksgiving isn’t just turkey and football; it’s also a chance for HR to shine in their true colors, spreading cheer while managing quite a comical scenario. Here are some HR-approved tips to ensure the happiness of your holiday season:

• Create a “Gobbler” Policy: Embrace the Thanksgiving spirit by designating office hours for “turkey talk.” Employees can share what they’re thankful for while you try not to roll your eyes at the inevitable compliments about the copy machine.
• Let the “Gravy” Flow: Is it time for a little indulgence? Schedule a fun hour for employees to bring in their weirdest Thanksgiving leftovers. You never know when that three-week-old cranberry sauce might spark a new office tradition!
• Establish “Turkey Tolerance”: Be prepared for discussions about the best places to order a holiday turkey. You’ll have your doves and your hawks (deep fryers and traditional roasters)—making HR the unlikely mediator for Thanksgiving dinner debates.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, it's essential to remember that humor is key to navigating the workplace atmosphere. Just as grandmas bring out the jokes during Thanksgiving dinner, HR must embrace the quirks that emerge as well. Everyone’s got a let’s-serve-the-turkey moment (or twelve) to share!

So, here’s to the HR heroes working behind the scenes during Thanksgiving month, navigating the office politics, and keeping the peace amidst the potential culinary chaos. Let’s raise a glass (or a coffee cup) to the ones who keep Thanksgiving fabulous and ensure that the only thing the office is stuffed with is gratitude—not grievances!