Oh no, the office Christmas lunch

Money_Bunny

Toby Carvery sounds just the thing. Unfortunately, I don't think there is one in the vicinty.

Public sector and I'm sure you're all glad your taxes aren't being spent on subsidising our festivities. Actually, technically Christmas lunches are not allowed (my organisation really does worry about its reputation in the Daily Mail) - so we'll be going for an extended lunchtime team meeting!

Laurajo_2

We're going to a local chain pub which is a tenner for a three course meal - Nowt fancy...I wouldn't want to spend more than twenty quid on a meal, tbf, not with colleagues anyway.

Last year we couldn't agree on anywhere, so we had a potluck lunch - everyone bought in a dish, so they knew there would be at least one thing that they liked and we had a cold buffet type of thing.

paulineb_2

What about a Harvester? Any of those in your area. Could you look on the website 5pm.co.uk? If you sign up you generally get an offer on and it will shows you if local restaurants are signed up.

How about a takeaway? You could phone something and have it delivered, not sure how the traditionalist is going to manage, but somewhere might deliver a roast type dinner.

JoseChungsDoomsday

I know exactly what you mean, which is why I don't go on my team lunch I just spend the money on a nice take away that night!

Bella73

dreamteamgirl wrote: »

Why on earth would a company pay for a Christmas lunch?
And certainly in the NHS we would never get anything paid for!!

Every place I have worked for the company have paid for a Christmas meal so to me very normal. I cannot comment on hospitals etc as I don't work there.

But I still feel my point is valid is the OP sure people actually want to do anything or just feel obliged. I still wouldn't go when expected to fork out £20 or more, I'd rather go out with my DH is I were going to spend £20+.

The people I work with are colleagues not friends so I don't feel a great need to have Christmas lunch with.

I feel it is wrong to force people to spend money they possibly don't have because it is Christmas. Even if you know what they earn doesn't mean they don't have debt, some of the highest earners I know have loads if debt and if my DH and I were living in their wage we would be wealthy but they find it difficult to pay their bills and get their kids things for Christmas so that £20 could be a lot to some.

Spendless

Is that in the private sector Bella? I've always had paid employment in the private sector and there's usually been a contribution towards the cost of a Christmas 'do'. Always on an evening though as business always remains open during the daytime hours. When I did voluntary work in the charity sector they did close at mid-day the day they went for Christmas lunch for the rest of the day, as a volunteer my meal was paid for, I think the rest of the staff paid in full - but they did get 1/2 day off.

I'm becoming more intrigued about a public sector where pubs and wetherspoons would be a controversial choice, but a Toby Carvery, (which around here IS a pub don't know if they all are) wouldn't. No wonder they're all struggling to find something suitable.

Netwizard

dreamteamgirl wrote: »

And certainly in the NHS we would never get anything paid for!!

Very true! We are very lucky to get a few nibbles to eat during xmas day!

My colleagues usually organise a Christmas meal out somewhere local, but someone already mentioned in the thread, I see enough of these people at work without socialising with them as well! :eek: