I have to say I quite like the Christmas Party.

It's not often at all you get to mix with people outside of work and it's great to do so where there's no hierarchy. Some do still think they rule the roost when out and it's good to bring them down a peg or two. If the conversation, invariably, turns to work I just move on though. Can't be bothered with that.

Are you doing much for Christmas?

Should an employer be expected to provide one for their employees?
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If you're a profitable member of staff then yes, absolutely.

Got any new year's plans?

Do enjoy a good free christmas party, nothing like it.

Have you been watching the world cup? It shouldn't even be being held there for me

comment by merrysupersteve (relaxed about the situation) (U1132)
posted 1 hour, 36 minutes ago
comment by The Process (U20671)
posted 8 minutes ago
Mine is next Wednesday.

It would be my 1st one with the company and all paid for but no interest in going. Hate going out midweek and the majority of my department is close to twice my age so no thanks.
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Having it midweek is a d**k move. If they can't spare one Friday or even Saturday night, that shows the esteem you're held in imo. I wouldn't bother going either
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I’ve been to some absolute belters over the years, including one - just one - on a weeknight, which was an error that that particular company never repeated.

Even though the event was only about a mile away from my house, about 200m in to my stumble home, I decided the effort was going to be too much for me and that I should attempt to nap some of the booze off, jamming myself in the narrow gap where a six foot stone wall met a wooden panel fence. Thankfully it was uncomfortable enough a cot that I binned that plan off after fifteen mins or so and resumed my stumbling, otherwise I’d probably have woken up short of a few fingers and/or toes because it was subzero outside.

The following morning I got to watch my line manager throw up in a waste paper bin in the middle of the office floor, which made team meetings a little easier the next few weeks.

The only thing that that particular company did which was even more stupid was put a bunch of us up in twin rooms in a hotel in London one year (we had offices in Edinburgh, Leeds and London, and sometimes they’d try to get us all together in the same place). There was a *lot* of room swapping went on on that occasion and some very red faces back in the office the following Monday morning.

comment by Baz tard (U19119)
posted 1 hour, 53 minutes ago
comment by Clockwork Red: Jadon and the Argonauts (U4892)
posted 39 seconds ago
Should an employer be expected to provide one for their employees?
No. And vice versa.

—————

What do you mean by ‘vice versa’ - that staff should provide a party for their employers?
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Thought that too

Finish your drink in a normal time but the person with the kitty doesn't really drink and has had 2 sips of their pint so it is not time for the next round for half an hour or so. Repeat for each drink.

comment by Derick Osei (U1734)
posted 16 minutes ago
Finish your drink in a normal time but the person with the kitty doesn't really drink and has had 2 sips of their pint so it is not time for the next round for half an hour or so. Repeat for each drink.
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I dont think most people would let that slide.

you would actually wait?

comment by Silver (U6112)
posted 2 hours, 26 minutes ago
All ageism aside, there's little more sad than middle aged men standing about the detritus of the last Fri before xmas in their 'anoraks' in some pub they wouldn't otherwise dream of being in (assuming they ever go to the pub) pretending they're enjoying themselves.
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Leave me alone

If you run a business and value your staff and they make you lots of money then yes, why wouldnt you want to buy them a drink at Christmas. Unless you are a tight tw@t. But I doubt that they would make you so much money if you didnt give them things like a jolly at Christmas.

I have also seen that some senior staff sometimes dont attend Xmas parties, because they think they are above all that. I would sack my senior staff if they didnt attend and put it in their contratcts that they had to. Or remind them that the not so senior staff at the party could become the senior staff very quickly.

This only works in the Private Sector, though. Many Health and Council workers still have Xmas parties, but they have to pay for the food and drink themselves. (A member of staff is usually nominated to make the cash collections)

I have only ever done karaoke at work Christmas parties. Used to work for an employer that would hire a minibus and drive us to some remote rural pub with a free bar from about midday to closing time.

I like to think my renditions of The Theme From 'Shaft' and (Everybody was) Kung Fu Fighting still live in the memory of some of my former co-workers.

I love a xmas night out. granted my work is pretty decent for them.

Not so much a fan of it alwas being black tie events.

but they tend to make a decent effort for us. However they hired Des Clarke to present the night out and he was fecking awful

There's actually a very good reason why some companies' management and senior staff don't attend Christmas parties.

We gave our staff a decent bonus last month, so they'd have it in time to help pay for Christmas, and they were really appreciative of that.

There was some mention of a works Christmas do this year (we've not had one since 2019 post-Covid) but none of the staff stepped up to organise anything, and that kind of thing shouldn't be up to management / business owners to do so.

We're getting them all a bespoke Christmas hamper, and I'm sure they'd rather that than sitting round eating a warm turkey dinner, that won't be a patch on the one they'll enjoy with their families a week or so later.

If one of them wants to arrange something next year, we'll pay for it. If not, then we won't have one. Simple as that really.

Works dos in recruitment are ace.

Think if you ordered Wolf of Wall Street from Wish kind of thing.

comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 9 minutes ago
I have only ever done karaoke at work Christmas parties. Used to work for an employer that would hire a minibus and drive us to some remote rural pub with a free bar from about midday to closing time.

I like to think my renditions of The Theme From 'Shaft' and (Everybody was) Kung Fu Fighting still live in the memory of some of my former co-workers.
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You preferred choice of your own Karaoke song when pushed to perform one by your peers is apparently a reflection of your personality. And I dont know anymore than this theory than this.

So, Ive done Karaoke just once before.. at an works Xmas party.... and I chose 'Just What I Needed' by The Cars. Be interesting to hear what other poster's go-to, Karaoke song is, when pushed (or pi55ed).

RBW, you pose a great question, and one which I think deserves its own article.

This is mine, just so I can do "the voice":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1tAYmMjLdY

comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 6 seconds ago
RBW, you pose a great question, and one which I think deserves its own article.
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OK whatch this space.

Be interesting to know culers thoughts on this subject

comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 12 minutes ago
RBW, you pose a great question, and one which I think deserves its own article.
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Seconded.

British Christmas work do’s…

3 course Christmas meal, mistletoe, DJ playing Christmas hits and Mr Brightside, crackers, those annoyingly long flying balloons, sherry and mince pies

Australian Christmas do’s

Alcohol.


Yep. Christmas is shiiiit here

My team and I all work 100% remotely, so it’s kind of imperative for us to get together at least once a year and add that familiarity/camaraderie.

As much as I love working from home and all the flexibility that goes with it, the lack of physical interaction between staff does become fairly apparent and I think it is central to developing a confident and cohesive team.

At the very least: free food and booze; never won’t be a good thing!!

As much as I love working from home and all the flexibility that goes with it, the lack of physical interaction between staff

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This is why rooney’s work went 100% remote, to stop him trying to mount and feel up everyone in the office…