By The Editor
A report from the Daily Mail has revealed that one in five companies in the UK will forego plans for a work Christmas party this year, due to the recession. Half of the remaining 80% firms that were sampled were still undecided about whether they’d go ahead with a Christmas celebration.
While the rest of the world is still largely in the grip of the recent global recession, this response in the UK is understandable. But with Australia having emerged from this economic downturn and Christmas around the corner – are businesses willing to splash out on holiday festivities this year?
In addition to the negative impact to staff morale, the report warns that cancelling office Christmas parties could spell the end for many small businesses that depend on this peak period for survival. Chefs, florists, party suppliers, entertainers, venues – a significant sector would take a direct hit to their livelihood.
Is your business gearing up to end the year with Christmas celebrations, or are alternative options being considered?
Take our online poll and leave a comment to let us know what you think about this issue!
Voting will remain open until 5pm Friday, 6 November 2009, with results published on the following Monday. Be sure to cast your vote and check in regulary to see how this issue develops.
[...] year on the VECCI Blog we reported on the number of companies who were cancelling their Christmas parties and not handing out bonuses due to the impact of the Global Financial [...]
Morale is at an all time low at my place of work, and you would think this would be the perfect chance to get everyone buzzing and cheery.
Yet the opposite is the case, as eveyone is so down in their job they dont even want to organise one. More or less, everyone there is working for the weekend. Thankfully I am a wedding magician and so at weekends I get to entertain. I am still booked out this yr and there are a lot of xmas do’s. The recession is not helping either!
On my own opinion, I think we should still have Company Christmas Party even in small ways and less money as long as we’re happy because I believe it is the time so show to your staff that you are appreciated. It is also the time to have bond between the boss and the staff.
Deciding not to have a work Christmas party sends a loud message to your staff. ‘You are not appreciated’. The point about being (suddenly) hit by legal liabilities from a party where alcohol is provided is not as it may first seem a case of ‘taking advantage’.
This is a business continuity issue. Losing a valued employee who drinks and then foolishly drives could threaten your business. Perhaps they crash into you as the business owner. Like any risk, this is readily managed by taking the low cost options available. Baaah Humbug.
With business being hit with the legal liabillies of a Xmas party – We will never have one ever again. When employees take advantage of these good will acts by employers – they cease to be put on.
[...] Christmas – a time for giving…up? « The VECCI Blog [...]
[...] Christmas – a time for giving…up? « The VECCI Blog Posted in Holidays | Tags: Charity, Close Proximity, Favour, Groovy Hair, Joyous Time, Office Christmas Party [...]
[...] the poll results revealed the general consensus, the comments board gave greater insight from our readers. Here are some of the opinions [...]
we bought our business 13 years ago. Our first party was basically a ‘get to know you and your family’. Every year since then we have held a staff Christmas party. Now is not the time to start foregoing efforts to show you care about your staff as that then percolates down so they stop caring about your clients.
That then percolates down so your clients stop caring about your busness and that puts you out of business.
Last year we grew 17%. down from our average 21% over the past 13 years. Our growth may have slowed but out efforts to show we care have not and never will.
Show you care 365 days per year, let your staff show your clients they care and they in turn will care about your business, keeping you in business.
@Simon and @HR Advisor: good points…
Do you think “Employer-organised social events” can act as an accurate indicator of the overall “health” of a workplace’s culture/morale? Or is poor attendance purely due to scheduling conflicts?
I think that’s a valid point. Many of us would be happy to participate but family obligations make it difficult after hours. I think the culture of the organisation is important too – as even when functions are organised during work hours in some areas it seems as though it is bad form to down tools and socialise
Last year we had a casual get together including dinner, at the suggestion of our staff, as business had been rather quiet. This year we are taking our staff out for entertainment and dinner as they have worked very hard and we appreciate their dedication. After a busy year we feel our staff should be rewarded with a more lavish celebration than last year. Sometimes morale is more important than $$ .
Simon’s example indicates a big problem – employees who are not well engaged in the business. Even some of those who do attend the social events would be in that category. You could ask why people do or do not attend, or what type of christmas celebration they would like to have. A recognition plan will only work once the basics are done. If the cynics think that for 364 days they are not appreciated, a christmas function won’t turn them around. Look beneath the surface and talk to your people.
We used to have a very basic AGM with an ordinary supper and a half-baked Christmas party for all our staff and volunteers. Three years ago we decided to do better by having the well-run and interesting AGM as late in the year as possible and make it one big annual celebration with dinner and entertainment provided for all the staff, volunteers, board, members, families and VIP guests. We also acknowledge all our staff and volunteer efforts during the evening. It works very well and everyone looks forward to it.
Combining resources to throw one “big bash” is a great idea (…as I’m sure we’ve all attended our fair share of half-hearted office parties in the past!)
@Faye – interested to hear what sort of benefits/feedback have you received from your staff.
I think it is important to have some kind of Christmas party to let staff know that you appreciate their efforts, it always seems like it is the same group of employees who turn up, while another group never show up to any social activity we run. I wonder in that case whether it is better to have a morning tea or lunchtime BBQ or something during work hours and then give a gift to everyone, rather than put on another post work party to only have the same “social” group turn up and drink each other under the bar! It might be more cost effective and then everyone gets a social reward and a gift, not only the ones who turn up and drink a lot of alcohol? Anyone else find this at their work?
Hi there
When I worked in banking, we (the staff) paid for our own xmas parties – generally at the branch at our own expense in the morning last trading day before xmas or after doors closed (we bought our own coffee and tea too,I havent seen that headlined anywhere!). Veterinary surgeries and such often run theirs well before xmas as it is tricky timewise and staff just want to be with family and friends.
I think it is good to acknowledge staff, but often in retail it is frankly a pain to run a party when everybody is tired and flat out.I think in the UK they have a HUGE xmas tradition, and put alot of resources and weight into the whole affair. I think a low key, well timed, business appropriate event funded by the company is the best way to go. Not too much grog, short speeches, done.
Hope I dont sound to scroogy, I’m an employer too.