Does anyone else get a twitch when they hear the words “Holiday Potluck” in a corporate environment? Maybe it’s just me, but I am absolutely terrified of any type of potluck involving the entire Marketing/Merchandising department of 40+ people. Here are 5 reasons why companies should NEVER host Holiday Potlucks:
1. Can anyone say Liability?? There’s a good reason why restaurants carry liability insurance to protect against things like sous chefs not following proper hand washing procedures, resulting in some nasty things like Hepatitis and, at the very least, gastrointestinal distress.
2. I’ve been in the Ladies’ Restroom at the office. Passing one’s hands under the running water does NOT count as “washing hands”. Gross.
3. Nobody knows what goes on behind the closed doors of coworkers’ kitchens. Cats walking all over the counters? Husband “taste-tester”? Kids sneezing in the vicinity? Fridge with a wonky temp?
4. Germaphobe factors aside…People have different tastes. For example, I follow a vegan diet, so anything with meat or dairy at the potluck is out for me. Others think that things like FISH are appropriate to bring to the potluck and heat up in the microwave, leaving that oh-so-pleasant lingering odor for days to come.
5. Putting pressure on people to cook something extra around the holidays to share with their coworkers is just plain wrong. I can barely feed myself each night, let alone the entire Marketing Department.
So, please large companies out there, buck up and pay for a catered event for your employees this year. It’s the right thing to do.
