While HR is tasked with managing morale boosting activities, be careful not to go overboard. If you become the “Chief of Fun” you risk losing credibility with employees, particularly those who are having issues at work resulting in disciplinary action.
It is more important for employees to feel comfortable confiding in HR about inappropriate behavior or misconduct than whether there will be a big party.
It is critical HR separate the tasks of conducting investigations and encouraging morale boosting activities. Employee committees and managers may be assigned to plan parties with HR’s oversight. This will make HR look less like the “Chief of Fun” and keep credibility.
www.shrm.org “As ‘Chief of Fun,’ HR May Struggle to Fight Harassment” January 23, 2018, Allen Smith