The Pandemic Law Firm Holiday Party: Festive Fun Or Superspreader Nightmare?
Some are 'eager' to attend in-person parties, but others are worried about them.
If you’re a member of the legal profession, December could easily be called the most wonderful time of the year. After all, associates’ stockings have been stuffed with bonuses aplenty, and salaries have never been so high. What better way to celebrate firms sharing their largesse than with a holiday party?
Sure, there may be a new COVID-19 variant spreading across the country and one of the top firms in the nation may have already had a party that turned into a viral outbreak, but that shouldn’t stop attorneys from having some fun. Or should it…?
Will the coronavirus be putting a damper on this year’s holiday parties? We polled about 500 attorneys at firms both large and small, and this is what they had to say.
Is your firm having an in-person holiday party this year?
The largest group of respondents (32.99%) reported that they were having a holiday party this year, and that it would be the same size as 2019 or bigger. This is honestly a bit shocking but let’s move right along. Will people actually go?
Are you planning to attend in-person?
Of the respondents who reported that their firm was having a holiday party this year, or that they were not sure if a holiday party would be occurring, almost 40 percent (37.04%) reported that they would eagerly attend an in-person event. Others are feeling pressured to attend, while others still have no desire to go because of COVID risks (and some of their colleagues will use COVID as an excuse).
Which of the following social distancing measures will be in place?
Proof of vaccination (76.84%), outdoor options (28.42%), and required face coverings (17.37%) were identified as the top three social distancing measures that will be in place at in-person holiday parties this year.
How do you feel about your organization’s holiday party plans?
Of those who reported they would be having in-person holiday parties this year, the largest cohort reported that they think these plans are OK (31.84%). The next largest group, at 25.56%, reported that they think the plans are a little off because of COVID risks.
Other firms, of course, aren’t having in-person holiday parties this year, but will instead be offering alternative options for their lawyers to celebrate the close of the year. Our respondents told us that gift cards or other gifts (29.17%), and online happy hour-style gatherings (27.08%) were popular holiday party substitutions this year. Talk of holiday parties was so low key at some firms that 33.33% of respondents were unsure what the holiday party plans are for this year.
So, what do attorneys really think about their firms’ in-person holiday party plans during a pandemic year? Our respondents really spilled all the beans here. Some, of course, are hopeful that things will be all right (“It’s a risk but we’ve been really careful all year, so I’m optimistic.”). The rest aren’t too thrilled about the premise of attending — or being “forced” to attend — an in-person holiday party just yet.
- “Even if it is not explicit, there is a ton of pressure to be present for all aspects of ‘re-entry’ and in-person firm life. High risk folks not only have to balance risk to life versus career, they sometimes need to out themselves as high risk to justify non-participation. I’m pregnant and had to tell my teams long before I was comfortable to avoid being in indoor maskless client meetings. The Latham party outbreak is going to be the tip of the iceberg. Firms are making plenty of money with remote work, bringing us back in and making us show up is about showing they have power over every aspect of associates’ lives.”
- “My firm (Latham) had the NY corporate department holiday party on 12/2/2021, and so far over 10 people who attended have tested positive for COVID. We have cancelled all remaining holiday parties but I’m horrified by the fact that partners took this risk and pressured junior associates into attending an unmasked indoor event that has become a superspreader event.”
- “I’d be happy to attend this sort of party after I’ve already seen my grandparents over Christmas. But if I have to choose between attending a pre-Christmas office party and safely seeing my grandparents on Christmas, I choose my grandparents.”
- “We got an evite that was just like 2019 — for a spot that’s literally underground, and an emphasis in the invite for lots of great food. It seems completely irresponsible and an insult to everyone who has been trying extremely hard to minimize transmission of this virus so that it finally gets somewhat under control. I understand the desire to go back to ‘normal’ (me too!), but the world has changed forever. It’s time to recognize that fact.”
On that note, we here at Above the Law would like to wish our readers the very happiest of holidays. We sincerely hope that if your law firm is having an in-person holiday party, it’s festive, fun, and above all, safe.
Staci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.
