Holiday Blog

By John

November 29, 2007 8:18 AM | Link to this

Human Resources needs to step up and put out the word to management that attendance is NOT required at after-hours events, nor should employees feel pressured to attend. At my company, there are already FOUR parties involving my department scheduled in December, and only one is during the work day.

HR is always giving lip service to “work/life balance,” but it needs to show some backbone and take a stand!

I work hard while I’m at the office, but my off-time is my own. If I want to attend an office party after-hours, I will. If I don’t, I won’t.

Usually, though, I don’t. It’s not a good idea to socialize too much with the folks you work with. We all need to keep our private lives separate.

And while we’re on the subject: STOP the in-office birthday parties, with cake, cards, balloons, etc. We’re adults, people, not 5-year-olds! If you want to go to lunch with some friends to celebrate your birthday, that’s fine. But don’t hand me a card to sign or take up money for a gift or invite me to have cake and ice cream.

Of course, I might be interested if we can all play “Pin the Tail on the Donkey Boss” … using really sharp pins!

By momof2

November 29, 2007 8:26 AM | Link to this

HATE THEM. HATE THEM. HATE THEM!!!!!

WHY would I want to spend any more time with people I already spend 50 hours a week with???? I don’t manange to spend that kind of time with my family and friends!

I refuse to go. Mark me Not Team Player all you want. My personal time is my own.

By Anne

November 29, 2007 8:38 AM | Link to this

John and momof2 hit the nails on the heads! I work in a small office, 10 people, and there are already plans for 4 different parties! I’m not a grinch or anything, but I want to spend time with my family and friends….not the people I see 40+ hours a week!!!! Take the money you’d spend on those parties and either give me a bonus or give it to charity in my name.

By Partied Out

November 29, 2007 9:02 AM | Link to this

The type of office party I like is a cocktail party. You can mingle with everyone there and always move on when you wind up talking to someone you’d rather not spend too much time with. At a sit down dinner I always seem to be seated at a table where the person next to me is the most boring person in the company. Everyone is right, if you have other plans or just don’t want to go, it souldn’t be held against you.

By Mike In Woodstock

November 29, 2007 9:03 AM | Link to this

Can’t wait to see all the comments from this one…. Good topic.

By Agree

November 29, 2007 9:10 AM | Link to this

I totally agree with John and Momof2 I refuse to do office parties.

By Mandy

November 29, 2007 9:13 AM | Link to this

I love our office christmas parties. We usually go to a nice dinner, with an open bar.

However, this year we are scaling back and having a catered lunch in the office, and we are given 1/2 day off with pay on a Friday.

I love my co-workers, and love to party with them. We have all worked here well over 10 years, and consider ourselves family, and we get along great. Plus we are a small company, only 12 of us here.

Sorry to all the scrooges that can’t stand to be with their co-workers during the holidays. Maybe you should find another job if you are so miserable.

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

By Cassie

November 29, 2007 9:15 AM | Link to this

I’ve been with my present employer five years, and not once set foot at a holiday event. Not only do we do parties, we do what I refer to as “enforced charity”…where everyone is expected to donate moolah or time on the weekends or after hours for some event.

I don’t think it’s charity if you are forced into it…

By NoParty4Me

November 29, 2007 9:15 AM | Link to this

I “DESPISE” office parties because you FORCED to smile with people that treat you like “dodo” all year long and then the holidays roll around and suddenly it’s all smiles. I don’t pretend January through October so for 2 months they want me to- NO WAY! I either take vacation or become violently ill. I feel a fever coming on already…

By jimbo

November 29, 2007 9:21 AM | Link to this

Our office party is lame. Two free drinks only. Cheap a*******es. On top of it they lie that’s about liability, not because they are cheap.

By MON

November 29, 2007 9:22 AM | Link to this

Just point me in the direction of the bar!

By PT

November 29, 2007 9:25 AM | Link to this

You are missing the point Mandy. It’s great that you love your office parties, but not wanting to go doesn’t make anyone a scrooge. Choosing one’s family over their coworkers is nothing to be criticized for.

By Snowflake

November 29, 2007 9:27 AM | Link to this

What holiday party? The “firm” is having a client party and we can come if we want to play hostess - NOT! Nothing for Thanksgiving and now nothing for Christmas - I’m not feeling the love!

By Jimbo

November 29, 2007 9:29 AM | Link to this

(Would have written sooner, but Mandy’s happy-gram made me scramble to regurgitate into the nearest trash can.)

There are two benefits to working for a very large company. First, I can miss the massive Christmas party without fear of political retribution. Second, I can go to the party and only have minimal interaction with the really annoying coworkers.

However, the departmental potluck is still a problem. Thankfully it was on a very busy day this year, so I was able to grab a plate of food and run back to my desk, which greatly minimized the time I had to act like I really love being part of the team.

Now somebody get Mandy another cup of eggnog…

By ejaxn

November 29, 2007 9:32 AM | Link to this

Mandy, I respect your opinion. But perhaps 5% of working folks have an office that gets along as well as yours does. Your situation is a rarity. I do indeed like my dept teammates, but as others have said - do not force me to socialize after work hours. Family and personal friends are way too important for my few precious weekend or evening hours. Thank heavens we now have a catered lunch and get the rest of the day off. I truly enjoy that much better than being forced to spend a Saturday night with everyone.

By Nannie Pie

November 29, 2007 9:34 AM | Link to this

Oh, I HATE office get togethers ! Too, I don’t particularly like to spend 40+ hours with them, why spend my own time with them ! The day before Thanksgiving we were forced into a pot luck luncheon; of course, the women had to do all the work……..I really ticked them off when I suggested the women eat first !!!! Oh my stars…….I was told it was “tradition” that the men eat first…….yeah, we got to leave early after the clean up but I would have rather not have lunch than to stand around and grin and try to eat standing up ! This next Saturday there is the office dinner party that I’m not attending and have already received grief about not going. Stop it, stop it ! Give me the money you were going to spend no my dinner and let me be !

By ghost rider

November 29, 2007 9:35 AM | Link to this

I worked (retired now)for a fortune 100 company, and every year the company would throw a lavish party at some top notch hotel..Food aplenty, drinks, live music, and other activities to keep the introverts happy! How could you not have a good time? Personally, I always enjoyed the company of my co-workers if I didn’t I would not have spent the better part of my life there.

By Teresa

November 29, 2007 9:35 AM | Link to this

I like office parties because usually it’s done really big! The only thing i find amusing is that most of the time I rarley get a HELLO from them..

By Silvia

November 29, 2007 9:49 AM | Link to this

A little perspective from the ones responsible for planning the party: I agree that it is a waste of resources and time to force the holiday celebration on the office environment. I have tried to suggest we just donate that money to charity. However, if we don’t have a party in my office then we are perceived as being too cheap and scroogy to do anything nice for our staff. They complain about having to come, and they complain if there isn’t a party. There is no win.

By Sonia

November 29, 2007 9:52 AM | Link to this

I actually enjoy holiday parties because for once people relax and you get to see a different side of them; You get to meet their spouses, talk about non-work stuff; and of course, see who gets drunk and acts a fool! It’s not that serious people, relax, enjoy the free food and (hopefully) free drink and have a laugh.

By Happy At Last

November 29, 2007 9:52 AM | Link to this

God! Am I glad to be out of that nauseating, forced crap since I no longer work in an office environment but now in a mobile environment where I don’t look at the same four corners and faces all day! But the ofc parties sucked! We were forced to laugh at everything the boss said..his so-called hilarious one-liners. A FEW select admins (I have always been one of them) have to plan the entire thing from space, cost, party favors, decorating, food, entertainment, head-count, clean-up…ALL IN ADDITION TO OUR REGULAR RESPONSIBILITIES AT WORK! And while everyone else is ENJOYING themselves at the event, us select few get to make sure there is always plenty of ice, food, directing people to the restroom, making name-tags, etc. You get the point. Bah-humbug indeed! When “bringing the employees together”, they call it increasing company morale and productivity. How much is some Einstein in HR getting paid to brainwash its employees with this line of crap? Just give us the day off with pay and forego the stupid party! Now THAT’s what will increase morale and productivity.

By Kenneth McGhee

November 29, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this

Remember an office party is an extension of work. Anything you would not do at work should not be done at the party.

Kenneth McGhee - Author

Teamwork - Moving Beyond Teambuilding Exercises

By ron

November 29, 2007 9:57 AM | Link to this

We had an in office whatever that I managed to avoid each year.I don’t know if I like office parties or not,never having attented one.I suspect I avoided these gatherings so I wouldn’t have to spend another moment of time with the back stabbing lizards I worked with.I’ll bet money that’s it.

By Noelle

November 29, 2007 9:58 AM | Link to this

I think office parties are best done during office hours, if at all. They also should never be financed at the expense of bonus money. I doubt anyone would complain about getting a year-end bonus like they do about holiday parties!

My last company handled it very well. We had a large off-site party every year, but it was held at 1 in the afternoon (with lunch and a bar), so everyone got the afternoon off for the event. They handed out service awards and year-end bonuses at the party, which encouraged attendance — but no one was chided if they didn’t go. (I missed the party on year myself.) Also, the bonuses were generous, so no one felt like the party was being given in lieu of a bonus.

We did have a nice dinner off-site at my previous employer, but as in Mandy’s case, it was a very small, closely knit company. That’s quite a different situation from the norm. Even then, though, we didn’t get bonuses, so most of us felt we should’ve done something less elaborate and used the savings to pay bonuses.

By Ken

November 29, 2007 9:58 AM | Link to this

Remember an office party is an extension of work.

Kenneth McGhee - Author

Teamwork - Moving Beyond Teambuilding Exercises

By lovelyliz

November 29, 2007 10:01 AM | Link to this

I am not a big fan of these parties because I work in a male dominated office. Guess who gets asked by the male bosses/managers to plan these events, set them up and who’s left clean up the mess? Well it sure isn’t the men regardless of their rank.

The off-site parties are less work, but the office politics that exist at work follow. People aren’t any friendlier or nicer to you at the party than they are at work. It’s like the big family events. Someone makes a big deal and begs you to come. You show up and are greeted by a big welcome but within a few minutes, you are left talking to your office friends and being ignored by the big wigs and the guys who normally don’t give you the time of day.

Personally, I wish they would take the $$$ the companies spends on such events and give it out a bonus instead.

Thank God the company I work for now doesn’t do gift exchanges.

By Overrated

November 29, 2007 10:06 AM | Link to this

I hate office parties. Companies think they’re the only thing important. I once went to this office party and this drunk a— white man hugged my wife in an inappropriate way. I wanted to break off my leg in his punk a—. We’ve never gone back to an office party since then. I’m still looking for his sorry, drunk, stupid a—. All you drunk fools, keep your hands to yourselves. Bast—-ds.

By Mandy

November 29, 2007 10:08 AM | Link to this

Sonia It’s nice to hear that someone else likes the office party.

Three hours out of my life is not that much to enjoy my co-workers and their sponses.

I spend plenty of time with my family, so a few hours once a year doesn’t bother me to be away from them.

By Racebaiter

November 29, 2007 10:14 AM | Link to this

If it’s a Holiday party, I ain’t going. If it’s a Christmas party, I’m there.

By Racebaiter

November 29, 2007 10:19 AM | Link to this

Overrated,

Is it important that he was white? If he was black, you wouldn’t have minded? Interesting that when a white man describes a criminal as black, he’s racist. But you’re not?

By Liliana

November 29, 2007 10:25 AM | Link to this

The office I worked at last year (left in March 07) was relatively small around 25 people of which 7 were in the dept. I was in. Not only were we expected to attend the office party but the moron who ran our dept. demanded we as a dept. had another “get together” even going so far as drawing names, filling stockings, etc. The dept. party was held in the office with the 7 of us exchanging gifts and getting the junk out of the stockings. Then off to a place for lunch at which time the moron conducted an office meeting. It was absolutely juvenile and if you dare object or not show you were definately not a team player. I too would rather spend the time with my family or even by myself. What a joke.

By lovelyliz

November 29, 2007 10:25 AM | Link to this

A couple of years ago, I went to an office party with a seating chart. All the singles were seated together. There I was a 40 year old, college educated, Yankee, soccer fan, military veteran, female at a table with a bunch of good old boy, NASCAR loving, college football fan, high school grads, 18-23 year old men.

Not that there was anything wrong with either group, but we had absolutely nothing to talk about. I was miserable until after dinner when we got to mingle.

Then there were the party gifts that were given out. Items that everyone already had: a $50 DVD player, a 20 inch color TV, $20 restaurant gift cards, coffee machines, and all those tchotskys.

By Whodatsaywhodat

November 29, 2007 10:31 AM | Link to this

OK, how about this one? Our company decides to put on a “Holiday Luncheon”. This means upper management is going to provide the “Meat”. Real Turkey and Ham - I point this out because 1 year they provided “Lunch Meat”. Sliced Deli Lunch Meat. I am not kidding. I though a fight was going to break out that year. When asked why we didn’t have real turkey and ham, the coordinator said she was jewish and didn’t celebrate Christmas anyway. Can you believe that? We all still laugh about that year. OK, to get back on the subject… For this years “Holiday Luncheon”, management is providing the meat. We are all asked to provide the side dishes. Of course to feed a group of about 70 people. So this means I have to go and spend about 30 bucks on the side items, get up at 5am to cook them, haul it all to work, and then finally clean it all up. I am sorry, but this is just too d**n much work for a lunch. Give me a break. I would rather provide a stupid ham - much less effort. And the sad part about it is that after it is all done and over with, the management pats themselves on the back for providing such a wonderful get together for all the little people. I think I will bring crackers, no dip or spread this year…..Does anyone else out there agree with me or am I being a scrooge?

By lovelyliz

November 29, 2007 10:37 AM | Link to this

Not all office holiday parties are horrendous, just the majority of them and our tendency to remember the bad stuff is stronger. Most people would rather get a bonus even a small one than to have the money spent on a party they won’t enjoy, especially one with bad food and worse gifts. If the social dynamics at the office aren’t good, they won’t be any better at the party.

By Pass

November 29, 2007 10:38 AM | Link to this

I work for a very small office and I am not attending the party this year. I have been questioned whether I am angry about something just because I choose not to go. No, I am not angry, I just don’t want to spend more than 40hrs per week with these people even though we all get along very well! I have a life outside this office thank you!! Late lunch, early dinner sounds great to me.

By BaaHumbug

November 29, 2007 10:49 AM | Link to this

I agree with NoParty4Me, why should someone be forced or otherwised critized for not attending an office party. I’m a firm believer in seperating your work from your home life. As soon as you open up a little about anything outside of work, youre business is spread thoughout the office. Bottom line, your company is in the business of turning a profit. They dont really care about anything you do or say unless its contributing to their bottom line.

By alicia

November 29, 2007 10:51 AM | Link to this

I love office parties and I’ve had the two extreme:

My office only has 10 people. We have an “in house” party (food/prizes/music) from 2- 4 pm one afternoon. It’s a good excuse to take time off and see people on a more personal level.

My husband’s company throws a big off-site party with a DJ, several open bars, huge buffet, and you get really dressed up (tux optional). They also include spouses so I get to attend. People get really loose and let their guard down. It’s the highlight of the year!

From reading responses above, it seems that the key is how much you like the people you work with. If you don’t like them, you’re not going to be happy regardless of the setting.

By Choose

November 29, 2007 11:27 AM | Link to this

Not the office party type. I’m bored with all their conversations. I’m single so I find myself sitting in a corner watching all the married couples getting touchy feely and drinking. No thanks, I’m not into partying with my co-workers, I’ve got my own set of friends and family for that.

By Dee

November 29, 2007 11:39 AM | Link to this

Let’s face it - 20+ years ago, things were so much different, so much better. In 1983-86 I worked for a large telecommunications company in the Atlanta area(Contel/TEXACOM) and it was one of the best companies I ever worked with, and they threw the nicest, memorable Christmas parties I’ve ever attended. Great company, great people, great parties, complete with live bands - open bar - great food. The best part was the very handsome president of the company called every employee to the front of the room and presented them with an engraved brass Christmas tree ornament, and I still put it on my tree every year - and everytime I do so, the memories flow of a rewarding employment experience and coworkers who were really like a family. After being with the company only 4 months, I received a 13% pay raise - and we don’t see things like that happen anymore, either. Fair rewards to deserving employees who did a good job, that was Contel Texacom; even provided their employees with lots of perks, including the availability of cash advances from their paychecks; as a young divorced mother, it was a blessing to be able to go to the HR lady and ask for $50 - $200 - no questions asked, and I would leave in 15 minutes with cash or check, whatever I needed, and even had the option of repaying the $$ advanced to me from one paycheck, or taking it back from 3 paychecks. Do you know of any large coporation who will do that sort of thing for employees today? I certainly do not. **

By dino

November 29, 2007 12:02 PM | Link to this

this is how it goes in my department: 1. 7.00@ food for party 2. 10.00@ gift for supervisor 3. 20.00 @ secret santa i said no for gift and secret santa. i don’t give give to people who call me at home while i have food posioning to came to work. treat me like crap up until nov 1 and then when the holiday roll around, now you all smiles. give me a break. co-workers with nasty attitudes. i can go home and get real love from my grandaughter and dog!

By Teresa

November 29, 2007 12:07 PM | Link to this

I want HAM!!!

By Overrated

November 29, 2007 12:22 PM | Link to this

You’re right racebaiter. Sorry for the reference to race. We have too much of that in this country.

Peace!

By Joan

November 29, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this

Ya’ll are so sad today.

Don’t want to waste your time, got other things to do, more important……

WFT - Its a few hours of your life? You all must absolutely hate your jobs.

There’s only two or three on this blog that actually enjoy their co-workers…….

Do you carry this anger all year long?

By lovelyliz

November 29, 2007 12:54 PM | Link to this

I could tell you more about the Christmas party where the devout Mormon won a bottle of Crown Royal.

By CJP

November 29, 2007 4:47 PM | Link to this

Lovelyliz:

Please, oh please- do tell! That sounds funny :) I love funny!

By lovelyliz

November 29, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this

I don’t know that I would call it funny:

It was a joint company party and when his name was pulled out of the hat, he went up an chose a present, taking it back to his table to open it. The shock on his face (& that of his wife and those of us who worked with him) was in direct opposition to everyone else who thought that he got the best gift of all.

He was really a good sport though, exchanging the bottle with a coworker who got a set of golf balls but doesn’t golf. Actually, neither one of them golf.

Just another in a long line of oopsy holiday parties.

By Bill Lampton, Ph.D.

November 30, 2007 8:17 AM | Link to this

Here’s an article I wrote about office parties:

[text to be linked) (http://tinyurl.com/32l4lz)

Reading this could save staff and employees lots of grief.

Bill Lampton, Ph.D.

By O-Gee

November 30, 2007 9:39 AM | Link to this

what ever happened to the good old days when you used to get loaded and screw the slutty admin. gal?

By Love My Job

November 30, 2007 9:44 AM | Link to this

It is so sad to read how much so many people dislike, their work environments—managers and co-workers.

My company, a mid market consulting firm, has happy hours all year, 2x yearly company meetings at some nice hotel destination over a weekend, a Summer pool party and a Holiday party— family, friends and significant others are always invited to all company events AND there is a annual bonus based on our, as well as, our company’s performance. Most of us don’t miss it, despite a rigorous travel schedule and challenging conditions at some client sites. Don’t misunderstand, some people complain- but those who complain are never happy about anything.

We work, as an organization, at making it a Great Place to Work. If you want to enjoy coming to work, if you want to enjoy your life; you have the power to make it better! Empower yourselves to make your world a place you want to be - inside and outside of the office.

Happy Holidays!

By P.Brown

November 30, 2007 10:17 AM | Link to this

These are by far, the BEST comments ever! Mandy, you are too funny, and obviously young.

By Red

November 30, 2007 10:55 AM | Link to this

I see comments about bonuses. What bonuses? They act like they are doing us a favor; some mediocre meal, and a “secret santa” gift exchange.

By UGH

November 30, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this

I don’t need a Honeybaked ham lunch that bad to listen to 30 minutes of BS!!

By KittyClaus

November 30, 2007 4:21 PM | Link to this

The last time we had an off site party was when the warehouse guy came drunk and puked on the VP’s wife. Everything is done in house and we still have fun.

Merry Christmas :-)

By commoncents

November 30, 2007 8:49 PM | Link to this

I work at large government agency during the evening hours. Our department has a annual holiday pary in the Breakroom, but since it always is during the daytime I don’t feel obligated to attend, and don’t. One year a “ditz” decided to get the manager to change the hours of everyone on my shift so we could all enjoy the “party” together. Unfortunately I became ill and had to call in sick that day. I was so heartbroken. Don’t try to force me to go to a cheap catered lunch with people I have nothing in common with. You’re probably wondering why I don’t quit and find more enjoyable co-workers. Simple, I make way too much money and have too many good benefits to go anywhere else!

By gman

December 3, 2007 9:47 AM | Link to this

I’ve been to lame off site christmas parties. I’ve been to lame in house parties too. It seems the only fun parties are the ones someone holds at thier house. But no one wants to be the party drunk and then be talked about the next workday.

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December 6, 2007 4:08 PM | Link to this

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