What's the connection between office holiday parties and union busting?

Hey you! Yeah you, planning the office holiday party. 

Did you know that you’re union busting? 

You scab!

“Why am I even here?” you may ask yourself as you drink store-bought egg nog and try to make conversation with Darlene from accounting’s husband. 

You’re here because of capitalism. 

A hundred years ago, in the heyday of unions, non-unionized businesses needed a way to make their low wages, long shifts, and poor working conditions look a little more attractive. 

So they did what lazy corporate wonks have done to increase morale since the beginning of time: 

They threw a pizza party. 

Except this was before pizza delivery was invented, so it was just known as a “party” back then. 

It was a time for workers to bring their families, get drunk, eat some free food, and accept gifts handed out by the big bosses. Joe Worker may have thought Humbert von Moneypenny was a cruel and heartless boss before the holidays, but now that he’s given you a desk blotter and a turkey, he seems like a pretty stand-up guy. 

Maybe you and your fellow workers don’t need to rise up to fight for better wages after all. 

Oh. And for all those child laborers, the company sponsored a Santa Claus to show up to the party as well. 

Because inclusion is important for culture.

But there was an issue with the old timey holiday party. The men would get all sauced up and hit on the ladies around the office. 

Which was getting to be a problem. 

And who knew what that Santa was getting up to. 

Plus, all those DUIs on the way home.

Precedents were set.

Harassment at holiday parties = workplace conduct.

Employers were liable for post-party DUI injury.

And That Thing That Happened with the office Secret Santa sexual harassment claim.

So office holiday parties started getting a little more lame, as companies rationed or banned alcohol. Which is why you have to suffer through Mr. Darlene with nothing but this watery egg nog to take the edge off.

Okay. 

I hear it now. 

HR does ruin all the fun.

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