HR's Thanksgiving Table: Where Gratitude Meets Office Shenanigans

Thanksgiving is all about family, food, and giving thanks. But in the world of HR, it’s also about navigating holiday chaos, office traditions, and the fine art of keeping everyone (somewhat) professional before they head off for their turkey dinners. Here’s a peek into what Thanksgiving looks like from the HR side of the table:

1. The Gratitude Parade Thanksgiving is the season of gratitude, and HR is all about spreading the love. But while most people are thankful for things like health and family, HR professionals hear some... unique gratitudes. “I’m thankful our office Wi-Fi hasn’t crashed this week,” or “I’m grateful the breakroom coffee isn’t terrible... today.” We’ll take it! Gratitude is gratitude, right?

2. The Food Wars Nothing says "office bonding" like a Thanksgiving potluck. But let’s be real—there’s always some low-key competition. Jim’s stuffing vs. Susan’s secret mashed potato recipe. And then there’s Carl, who proudly brought a giant bag of chips. HR’s role? Referee the passive-aggressive potluck comments while making sure no one brings anything that requires a fire extinguisher (deep-fried turkey, anyone?).

3. The "Thank You, HR!" (But Really, Thank Us) Thanksgiving is about showing appreciation, but let’s be real—HR could use a little extra love this time of year. While employees are giving thanks for long weekends and bonus rumors, we’re the ones behind the scenes, juggling schedules, organizing potlucks, and making sure no one brings their deep-fried turkey to the office (for safety reasons, obviously). So if you’re feeling grateful, throw a “thanks” our way—we deserve it!

4. The “I Can’t Believe You Don’t Like Pie” Drama Thanksgiving desserts are sacred, but every year, there’s that one person who commits the ultimate crime: “I don’t like pie.” Cue the gasps and shocked faces. It’s like they’ve just confessed to stealing office supplies. HR quietly steps in to mediate the pie vs. non-pie debate, reminding everyone that we can all agree on at least one thing—no one likes fruitcake.

5. The Office Turkey (But Not the Edible Kind) There’s always that one coworker who insists on being the turkey. You know, the one making gobbling sounds during meetings and trying to start an impromptu turkey trot in the hallways. HR’s job? Keep the turkey antics at a respectable level and ensure no one’s triptophan-induced daydream results in an accidental HR report.

6. The Post-Turkey Productivity Drop We all know the real Thanksgiving miracle: keeping the office productive during that post-turkey haze. Monday hits, and everyone’s still in full Thanksgiving mode, dragging their feet and dreaming of leftovers. HR to the rescue with motivational emails and, of course, extra coffee. Lots of coffee.

7. The Gratitude Emails HR knows that sending out a company-wide gratitude email is part of the Thanksgiving tradition. We craft a heartwarming message about teamwork, collaboration, and how much we appreciate everyone. But we’re also fully aware that, somewhere in the building, Steve is replying with an all-caps “THANKS!” because he thinks this is a direct email from us. You’re welcome, Steve. We’re grateful for your enthusiasm.

8. The Great Pie Debate Nothing stirs the pot in an office like the annual pie debate. Apple vs. pumpkin? Pecan vs. sweet potato? HR has learned to stay neutral in these debates, offering a calm “Why not both?” approach while quietly munching on whichever pie no one’s arguing about (banana cream, anyone?). And we’re definitely steering clear of Greg’s infamous “experimental” cranberry-liver pie. Yikes.

At the end of the day, Thanksgiving in the office is a time to celebrate the little things: grateful employees, too much food, and festive fun that (hopefully) doesn’t result in an HR report. So this Thanksgiving, while we’re all counting our blessings, remember: HR is here to make sure the turkey-themed chaos stays within reasonable limits.

Happy Thanksgiving from HR, where we’re thankful for humor, patience, and a slice of that pumpkin pie. 🥧🍂