The Top 10 Holiday Aggravations at Work

With holiday season upon us, it's the time for workplace gift exchanges, holiday parties, and charity drives—and with them, accompanying aggravations. Here are the top 10 most aggravating elements of holidays in the office.

1. Company holiday parties that are mandatory to attend. Companies usually hold these events because they believe they build employee morale—but it's important to take a look at whether they actually do. Some staffers truly don't enjoy these sorts of functions, and that's OK. Requiring their presence under the guise of giving them a treat will hurt morale, not build it. If the party is meant as a gift, you can't turn it into an obligation, so don't penalize people for not going, even just in your head.

2. Company parties that not everyone can attend. While not everyone will want to attend the company party, certainly anyone who wants to should be able to. Yet some companies still leave the receptionist covering the phone while everyone else goes to the party, or require some employees "work" at the celebration (as caterers, coat checkers, etc.).

3. Charging employees to attend the company party. Asking employees to pay to attend a work event, even if it's social in nature, is never appropriate. If the company can't afford the party on its own, it shouldn't be hosting such a lavish event.

4. Efforts at religious inclusion that end up offending. For instance, putting Hanukkah ornaments on a Christmas tree or inviting all staff to participate in a religious prayer are good ways to offend some employees inadvertently.

To read more | money.usnews.com