But what about where you are? How did the lifting business celebrate the Christmas party season?
The Chartered Management Institute’s annual ‘Christmas Outlook’ survey revealed a decline in the number of organisations in the sector holding staff Christmas parties. Although 76% planned to host events, the proportion has fallen from a height of 86% in 2002.
A growing amount of organisations in construction also refused to pay for seasonal celebrations. This year, 23% were expected to make no financial contribution to office parties. In terms of region, employers in the UK’s West Midlands are the least generous with only 48% funding celebrations.
The survey shows that 1 in 10 in the sector believe Christmas celebrations are ‘a chore’. Key findings include:
– Artificial ambience: 58% in construction believe that the atmosphere at workplace end-of-year parties can be forced. Many suggest that parties would ‘be better if partners were included’ (78%) and 1 in 3 respondents also claim there is too much ‘political correctness’.
– Party hangover: 45% in the sector think that the party season ‘has become too long’ and 82% suggest it is now ‘too commercial’. Although one-third (36%) claim to ‘enjoy the office festivities’, some respondents (7%) also say they are ‘a waste of time’.
Despite 66% agreeing that Christmas parties create a better working environment, only 31% of organisations in construction try to encourage a relaxed atmosphere at this time of year. Work is also still the dominant thought with just 1 in 5 employers intending to give time off without it counting against holiday entitlement and 44% of respondents plan to work during the break.
Merry Christmas!
Seriously though, to all those who celebrate it, I’d like to take this opportunity to wish you, your family and colleagues a great day tomorrow and all the best for the remainder of this and next year.
I’m off to cook the turkey,
Richard Howes, Editor
