DETROIT — Lisa Feldberg, a vice president at ePrize, is still trying to figure out how to make a splash at work this week.

Last year, for the company's Halloween extravaganza known as eeekPrize, she dressed as a witch and her co-workers were Disney characters.

The super-competitive marketing firm takes Halloween pretty seriously. Not being memorable, particularly on this holiday, is not a good thing.

"Last year, when I was still fairly new at ePrize, I remember someone was coming in to interview for a position, and we were all dressed in costumes," said Feldberg, 38. "This is very much what ePrize is."

The festivities at Pleasant Ridge, Mich.-based ePrize reflect how Halloween is having more of an impact at work. Although many firms won't conduct interviews in costumes, Halloween means a lot to many companies and their employees.

According to Harris Interactive, 22 percent of American workers polled said they would be wearing costumes to the office on Halloween this year.

Then, there are many workers who take the holiday off to take their kids trick-or-treating or to Halloween parties.

Experts say the holiday can be good for morale, but workers should be careful.

"Employees should try to choose costumes that don't make religious or political statements," said Jenny Sullivan, a spokeswoman for www.CareerBuilder.com.

"I've seen people dress up as other people in their office, and while some have thought it was funny, I can see how a person could be offended," Sullivan said.

Halloween has always been a favorite work holiday for Katherine Chappelle, 35.

The interior designer for HKS Architects P.C. in Farmington Hills, Mich., has won awards for her creative costumes, one of which was a substitute teacher. For that, a paper airplane was lodged in her wig. She wore a chalk-smudged suit coat and knee-highs, one of which was rolling down her leg.

"I always wear a wig," Chappelle said. "It's great for the spirit of the office. We vote for our favorites, and we have treats like apple cider and doughnuts. We also have a pumpkin-carving contest."

Feldberg said eeekPrize is a favorite for her children, ages 6 and 4, who plan to attend as Tinkerbell and a University of Michigan fan. Last year, they went as a race car driver and Ariel, the Disney character from "The Little Mermaid."

About 400 relatives and friends are expected to attend eeekPrize today.

"It absolutely gives us a common bond," said Feldberg, who added that work gets done despite the festivities. "Our families are an important part of our culture."

Alesya Opelt, 30, senior director of marketing at ePrize, said the company opened the event to family members last year.

"It was a way to integrate families into what we're doing," Opelt said. "As marketers, we know Halloween is one of the most popular holidays in America.

"It's also fun for the employees. They look forward to it for months in advance."