33 per cent of UK workplaces are planning smaller celebrations this year. Whilst a quarter (26 per cent) say they aren’t holding any festive celebrations at all.
New research from Robert Walters shows that the Christmas party as we know it is changing, as are professionals’ attitudes to festive celebrations in the workplace.
Lucy Bisset, Director at Robert Walters UK comments: “In the face of tighter expenses, many employers are dialling back their festive celebrations. However, there is also mounting pressure coming from professionals who increasingly feel that their company’s Christmas budgets could be spent more wisely than in the traditional office Christmas ‘knees-up’.”
Turnout taking a hit
According to the 1,700 professionals polled by Robert Walters, almost half (47 per cent) plan on giving their work Christmas party a miss this year.
Over three-quarters (78 per cent) of professionals now think that attendance at their work Christmas party has become less important since the pandemic.
Festive burnout
When quizzed about the Christmas party deterrents, just over two-fifths (42 per cent) of UK professionals stated that it creates too much pressure to socialise with colleagues.
A quarter feel that their Christmas parties are not inclusive – with alcohol-fueled faux pas highlighting or even creating cracks in company culture.
Meanwhile, a further fifth (22 per cent) state that there are just too many personal costs associated with attendance – including forking out for office secret Santa presents, finding a suitable outfit, and footing the bill of taxis to and from the event itself.
Alternative celebrations
37 per cent of professionals stated they’d prefer a more casual office Christmas party – one that either took place in the day so they could clock off earlier (54 per cent) or gave them a specific activity or game to take part in (31 per cent).
According to findings from Robert Walters Benefits reporting – the majority (79 per cent) of professionals don’t class ‘employer-organised team building/socialising opportunities’ as an important workplace perk.
In fact, over half (52 per cent) of professionals would select a gift or small bonus over organised celebrations.
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