Employees Willing to Pay for Office Christmas Party

Employees Willing to Pay for Office Christmas Party

Forced leave opinion divided CareerOne.com.au reveals Christmas party tips

The majority of employees are willing to contribute up to $50 per head for their workplace Christmas party according to a CareerOne.com.au survey.

The survey was completed by 952 respondents who were also asked how they viewed forced Christmas and New Year leave. Of those working in companies that direct staff to take leave over the Christmas period, 53 per cent said they didn’t like it with the rest claiming they didn’t mind it.

When asked how they felt about a colleague who became the office Christmas party turkey:

• 55 per cent of respondents said it wouldn’t change their perception of that person.
• Only 8 per cent said seeing someone make a fool of themselves at the office Christmas party would change the way they deal with that person at work.
• Be warned though, 37 per cent said they usually engaged in post Christmas party gossip.

Additionally, the survey found that 44 per cent said they used the office Christmas party as an opportunity to mingle with people they don’t usually talk to at work.

CareerOne.com.au today also released its top 10 Christmas party tips for employees.

• 1. DO eat the food on offer – all those carb loaded snacks are there for a reason
• 2. DO keep track of how many drinks you’ve had
• 3. DO make the effort to meet colleagues you don’t normally mix with
• 4. DO turn up on time – better to leave the office party early than arrive late
• 5. DO help colleagues when you see they may have lost count of their drinks
• 6. DO NOT jump in front of every camera you see for a photo. You could regret it when the shots are circulated around the office the next day.
• 7. DO NOT leave transport to chance
• 8. DO NOT go for “a few drinks” before the party
• 9. DO NOT engage in public smooching
• 10. DO NOT whine about the Christmas party location or planning – whether it is a modest or lavish bash.

Kate Southam, editor, CareerOne.com.au said a scaled down Christmas party is likely for many companies still recovering from the economic downturn.

 “The economy might be rounding a corner but that doesn’t mean companies are out of the woods completely. Don’t be surprised if parties are still modest this year.

 “What did surprise me was seeing so many of our respondents willing to kick in to ensure they get a decent office Christmas party. “We have heard stories of companies planning lavish parties for Christmas but in secret, for fear their extravagance will be regarded as bad taste, particularly if they made staff redundant earlier in the year.

 “Employers don’t have to put on a party at all but hopefully most will realise staff deserve the reward. After such an intense year, everyone will be looking to let off steam. “At the Christmas party, co-workers need to look out for each other and managers need a plan in place for keeping everyone safe on their watch.”