Cancel the Christmas Party!
One of the joys of working the way I do is that I get to travel to many parts of the country. This is marginally less enjoyable when I have to drive though – my strong preference is to take the bus or train. Today I needed to be in a school near ( but not in or the train would have worked) Glasgow so I set out with Radio 4 on for my entertainment and education.
A couple of things I learned this morning were
1 The Conservative Party have used a consultancy to advise on marketing to women called “Pretty Little Head”. I am still not sure whether I am insulted or amused by this title….erring on the former at the moment.
2 Some employers might be – and I say might be because I did not hear any evidence being provided – prepared to cancel the office Christmas party saying that they can’t afford it this year in the current economic climate.
Now I have to hold up my hand and say that I have never been to a work Christmas party that i remember being great. Others had a great time. Stories were legendary ( like the time I let a door go in the face of one of the new members of staff and knocked her out. Both of us were traumatised – for differing reasons!) I would much prefer to have a meal and a few drinks with close colleagues and I have fond memories of great times spent with workmates doing just that.
So – are employers really going to pull the plug on Christmas festivities? I expect some will. But I am equally sure that others will feel that this year it is even more important to thank everyone for their efforts in challenging times and look at ways to minimise the expense by providing some nice food and a few bottles of wine in the boardroom. This should also meet the expectations of those who feel that their employer should do something. And for those who want to hang around for half an hour to show face but then get home to the million and one things that seem to need to be done in the run up it will be great!
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Oct 27, 2008
Unfortunately, companies definitely are canceling parties at an alarming rate. I’ve written about the subject, The Company Christmas Party – Another Casualty of a Tough Economy, and gotten at lot of feedback supporting the trend.
But I agree with you, Jackie. If there was ever a time our workers needed reassurance in the workplace, it’s now. Rather than canceling the party, try some cost-cutting ideas like: holding the event on an off-night, having a lunchtime party, or hosting the party onsite. A little creativity goes a long way!
Oct 27, 2008
Personally I am not a big fan of Christmas parties as a whole, but for some places it is part of the culture. I am new at the place I work right now and will be going to my first Christmas party this year (if the birth of child #2 doesn’t preempt it). I have already heard stories that make me shudder.
However, if it is seen as an important bonding time and culture building event by the organization then they should not cut it. Companies should think about the message they are sending by cutting these events. In some cases it might invoke panic and paranoia in exchange for very little savings in the long run.
Just my opinion.
Oct 28, 2008
Larry – thanks for coming by. I think employees right now are probably hypersensitive to any changes in routine – and cancelling the party is bound to be seen as a very bad thing by many people…so fingers crossed that there are enough “creative” managers out there to still make something happen!
Oct 28, 2008
Hi Dan – panic and paranoia are rife so I agree with you – keep as many things as possible as they are and only make changes when you really really need to.
I am wondering if the arrival of baby #2 might just be the excuse – sorry reason – you are looking for
Oct 28, 2008
Jackie-That and my wife doesn’t want to buy a Maternity dress she will never wear again….but yah if I were a magic eightball I would read “outlook does not look good” on me attending.