The Christmas party switch: 3 in 5 UK workplaces are having downsized celebrations or none-at-all
Fifty-nine per cent of employers have stated holding pared down celebrations this year, or putting festive parties on hold altogether.
A new poll from Walters People has shown that many professionals in the UK are being deterred from the idea of a workplace Christmas party this year – with less time in the office, cost-of-living, and economic uncertainty all playing a role in employees decision making.
A mixed bag for many
It seems that the fact the majority of employers are holding smaller celebrations or none-at-all is actually deterring professionals from attending – a further quarter of professionals stated how they have been put off attending their Christmas work party due to the fact their employer is spending less on the actual event.
Contrastingly, less than a third (32%) of professionals stated their workplace Christmas party was going to be a ‘big one’ this year.
Janine Blacksley, Director of Walters People UK comments: “2023 has been a mixed bag for many companies, so it isn’t surprising that festive celebrations this year will be very dependent on industry and employer. Whilst the majority are having pared down celebrations or none at all – a percentage are planning to push the boat out.
“Whilst typically more money being spent often signifies that a company is doing well from a profit perspective, we are increasingly seeing organisations invest in their workplace culture – including Christmas parties – as an attraction and retention tactic.”
What’s changed for professionals?
When asked if they were planning on attending their office Christmas celebrations, 48% of professionals stated they are planning on missing their work’s Christmas party this year – whilst 20% are going just to ‘show their face’.
When asked further about the reasons behind wanting to skip the festivities this year – two of the most common responses from professionals were that it is ‘too much effort this year’ (37%), and the personal costs associated with attending (33%).
Blacksley, says: “The Christmas or end-of-year party has always been an important diary entry in professionals calendar – in particular in the white-collar world where the end of the year is typically a period where the company is able to slow-down or shut for a few days.
“This year it feels there has been a tide-change on the end of year Christmas party being a festive calendar staple. Our poll results show that the main deterrents echo a fatigue in professionals to make the effort or foot the costs associated with attending their office party this Christmas – they’d rather spend on their own personal Christmas plans.”
But what do professionals want this Christmas?
When asked what sort of Christmas party they’d prefer – 38% of professionals opted for ‘an open bar, party, Santa hats galore’ – whilst an almost equal amount (32%) stated that ‘a simple lunch would suffice'. A further fifth wanted a relaxed affair, with less focus on alcohol.
Many keeping this festive period dry
The theme of not drinking seems to be a preoccupation for many professionals this year – with almost double the amount (39%) of professionals planning to ‘only stick to one or two festive tipples’ at their office celebrations, compared to just a fifth who are planning to go ‘all out’ (22%). Whereas, a further 31% are planning to ‘stay entirely tee-total.’
Whilst Gen-Z seem to leading the charge in lessening the dependence of alcohol in workplace socialising, and more generally – according to Drinkaware UK, 86% of employees in the private sector are still more likely to say there is an ‘expectation’ to drink at employer events than those who work in the public sector.
Blacksley adds: “Our polls show a real change in attitudes towards how work Christmas parties could be carried out going forward – and potentially a permanent shift in workplace culture where there is more focus on oneself rather than team building, and a bigger lens on wellbeing and balance rather than socialising.
“Time will tell - on whether this is a more fleeting change in light of what has been a globally economically difficult year.”
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