In an article I read, it was suggested that corporate happy hours were a way for organisations to encourage mental health among their employees. It was argued that drinking after work would help to strengthen team bonds. The term “happy hour” seemed to confirm the notion that alcohol would be consumed in large quantities.
It brought back stereotypes of city traders, mainly white men, drinking champagne in trendy cocktail bars to celebrate yet another deal or bonus. The behavior is boisterous, bordering on inappropriate. It’s defiantly homophobic, sexist, and sometimes racist. Some people bonding alienates others.
There is another option, and it’s not a happy hour for the office but a curry on a Friday evening.
The younger team members went to a curry every Friday with the boss. We always went to a balti. We never drank, we didn’t talk about football, or work, but there was always good humor. In terms of sexuality and faith, we were a diverse group. It wasn’t until the people left the office that I realised how diverse the group was.
When we talked about other teams or places that we had worked, he would always have some interesting stories to tell about his time spent in Africa. The partner of a team member was in the SAS. He never told us or mentioned it, but we were aware. The boss knew and recruited a lot interesting people, which made for a relaxed and interesting end to the week.
It was difficult to switch off from the work. It was before the term “mental well-being” was coined, but we didn’t realize that the boss was helping us to relax as a group and value our colleagues as individuals. Since then, I’ve worked with many different teams and organisations. All of them were willing to have a special meal for Christmas or to celebrate a special occasion. They also all participated in some form of team building. But none matched the positive vibes that Friday night curries brought.
