Christmas party celebrations are on the wane as more bosses opt out of holding the annual bash and, according to latest findings, employees don’t actually care.
The Chartered Management Institute’s annual Christmas Outlook survey reveals a decline in the number of organisations holding the traditional office Christmas party. Although 66 per cent still plan to host events, the proportion has dropped for the second consecutive year, and falling from a height of 86 per cent in 2002.
Far from being disgruntled at the lack of festivity, however, over half say that office parties have a false atmosphere, with 13 per cent claiming they are a waste of time. One in five managers go as far as to say Christmas celebrations are ‘a chore’.
And it’s no wonder that many workers aren’t bothered, with more than one in three organisations refusing to pay towards the party costs.
Christmas cheer would be accelerated if partners were able to join them for the celebrations, according to 43 per cent of respondents. One in three also claim there is too much ‘political correctness’ and 38 per cent believe that the party season is just too long, with 77 per cent agreeing that it is now ‘too commercial’.
The burden of work is also putting the brakes on festive relaxation; only 29 per cent of organisations try to encourage a relaxed atmosphere at this time of year. Work is also still the dominant thought, with just one in four employers intending to give time off without it counting against holiday entitlement, while 42 per cent of respondents are planning on working during the break.
There are some encouraging signs to suggest goodwill prevails, however. According to the report, just a year ago, many employers blamed the new discrimination legislation (31 per cent) and fear of potential tribunals (26 per cent) for a lack of Christmas spirit. Yet, asked to consider how many complaints they faced in the wake of workplace parties, 82 per cent could not identify a single incident.
The survey also revealed that 54 per cent give gifts to colleagues and 11 per cent to external business contacts.
Jo Causon, director, marketing and corporate affairs at the Chartered Management Institute, said: “The idea that individuals and employers don’t allow themselves to unwind at Christmas is extremely disappointing, especially in light of evidence suggesting that taking time out enables you to recharge your batteries. However it is good to see that people are saying ‘thank you’ and are prepared to make an effort to recognise hard work.”
Among the favourite ‘must-hear’ festive tunes listed this year, were ‘Fairytale of New York’ (Kirsty McColl and The Pogues) and Bing Crosby’s ‘White Christmas’. ‘Last Christmas’ by Wham, and ‘Mistletoe and Wine’ by Sir Cliff Richard were amongst the least popular.
