Are work xmas parties (and bonus) dead?

ska_lover

I was wondering, if work christmas parties seem to be out of the window these days?

Where I work, we don't recieve so much as a xmas card from our employers. They are a huge multinational company, but not even a xmas card. My husbands company had a christmas meal, and all employees were given a luxury xmas hamper..yummy

In the past I worked for a medium sized local company who would take the entire office (around 30 people) out for a posh meal, presents all round, and we were given a bonus - an envelope stuffed with cash. Other places I have worked have contributed to xmas parties/lunches.

Have other people noticed this, that xmas parties and bonus's seem to be a thing of the past?

arbroath_lass

I've never had a christmas card from my "employer", from my manager, yes, but they buy their own. I've also never been to a "paid for" Christmas party or lunch so maybe you have just been lucky all these years. My husband's current employer used to give the employees a party but that has stopped recently. Again, none of his previous employers ever paid for anything like that.

BTW we've both worked for 25 years.

nearlyrich

My current employers are very generous in the Christmas Party stakes a classy hotel with overnight stay partners and children invited with a creche for the kids. last year the hotel was lovely but the food was disappointing this year I declined as it was too far to travel. We don't get a Christmas bonus but December is one of our 4 quarter ends so will get a decent bonus in January....if the next two weeks go according to plan.

lynzpower

When Ive worked for the public sector there is no chance of a free anything; no party, no drinks, no cards. yes a thanks email went around, but not jsut at Christmas, usually at year end in March. However, we paid for our own meals bought our own cards and went for a drink, just that we paid for it. I would never have expected the taxpayer to pick up the tab for this, especially as we had to buy our own tea bags bring in pens from home etc.

I have worked for companies where we went out to a corporate do at a hotel or venue, however the food was terrible, drinks overpriced and the MD got rata55ed and not good company.

I know which I preferred

jfh7gwa

I would have a massive problem if my employer chose to send around Christmas cards - there's better things to be doing than getting a member of staff to organise them, receive/distribute, paying for printing, etc. Perhaps it'd be different if there it was slightly less manic at work right now - I'm not saying I'd decline a bonus or something - but I just wanted to point out that some employees would have a fundamental problem with the idea that a card is better than nothing. In my case, I wouldn't agree.

I might feel different too if I felt valued - at the moment, I don't, so a Christmas card would just irritate me - best to do nothing if you're not going to do anything decent, (for me, personally - of course not everyone would agree).

ska_lover

jfh7gwa wrote: »

I would have a massive problem if my employer chose to send around Christmas cards - there's better things to be doing than getting a member of staff to organise them, receive/distribute, paying for printing, etc. Perhaps it'd be different if there it was slightly less manic at work right now - I'm not saying I'd decline a bonus or something - but I just wanted to point out that some employees would have a fundamental problem with the idea that a card is better than nothing. In my case, I wouldn't agree.

I might feel different too if I felt valued - at the moment, I don't, so a Christmas card would just irritate me - best to do nothing if you're not going to do anything decent, (for me, personally - of course not everyone would agree).

I too feel very undervalued at work at the moment, and I agree a christmas card would probably irritate me too. Its just the lack of recognition that gets to me. When I had been at the company for a year, I got a card from the head honcho, but it was a photocopied thing that he hadn't even taken time of day to sign

Years ago when I was a little girl, I remember when my dad worked, his company used to have a lads night out (not really sure if the company paid for this) but on a seperate night, they used to have a 'family xmas party' completely paid for by the company, there were party foods, and games, and santa claus himiself even made an appearance. My sister and I used to look forward to this party very much each year.

A lady I know who works for a major clothes retailer told me that her bosses paid £6 each towards the works do. I think thats worse than having nothing!

LadyMissA

No, never had a party, xmas card or bonus in any job I have had.

Deep_In_Debt

My firm are a large firm (global company) and do pay for Christmas parties in expensive places and also we have a couple of Christmas lunches (we don't usually return to the office after!). We also get a company paid for "away day" during the year which is always a nice surprise!

We don't get Christmas cards from the firm; usually just an e-card. My line manager is usually pretty good though and will give me a bottle of wine or some chocs or some nice smellies with a card as his way of saying thank you but paid for out of his pocket.

Never worked for a company who have ever paid a Christmas bonus in my 27 years of working - maybe I work in the wrong sector.

Badger_Lady

I think it depends on the industry - I was working for a banking group when the crash happened and, although my department was absolutely nothing to do with retail or investment banking, we had our celebrations and bonuses withdrawn at the last minute 'for fear of negative publicity'. Frustratingly, we had actually organised a rather modest Christmas party and each contributed £20 towards its cost... this was cancelled and no refunds given :mad:.

Similarly, any public sector celebration is likely to get the tabloids riled up.

But yeah, other private sector employers I've worked for have been really involved with 'office culture' and with trying to make us happy. This year it's been a swanky evening do and £35 Debenham's vouchers each

Googlewhacker

ska_lover wrote: »

I too feel very undervalued at work at the moment, and I agree a christmas card would probably irritate me too. Its just the lack of recognition that gets to me. When I had been at the company for a year, I got a card from the head honcho, but it was a photocopied thing that he hadn't even taken time of day to sign

Years ago when I was a little girl, I remember when my dad worked, his company used to have a lads night out (not really sure if the company paid for this) but on a seperate night, they used to have a 'family xmas party' completely paid for by the company, there were party foods, and games, and santa claus himiself even made an appearance. My sister and I used to look forward to this party very much each year.

A lady I know who works for a major clothes retailer told me that her bosses paid £6 each towards the works do. I think thats worse than having nothing!

At the end of the day you are getting remuneration via pay, holiday pay, sick pay etc via a contract.

Have you shown your employer the appreciation for employing you with a card or present? I doubt it....

ska_lover

Googlewhacker wrote: »

At the end of the day you are being paid remuneration, holiday pay, sick pay etc via a contract.

Have you shown your employer the appreciation for employing you with a card or present? I doubt it....

Sorry I think you have missed the point of the thread. We all realise employers do not have to give anything at Xmas.

Have your employers contributed any xmas cheer to yourself?