Work place Holiday party Canceled

[Bene288]

Bummer. I'd try to bring back a degree of normalcy after such an event if it was my business. Raise moral a bit. Though I'm sure your business took quite a $$ hit as well. I hope you guys are able to recoup in a timely manner.

 

[deadheadskier]

I work with these people. I don't have to drink with them!!!!

You might want to reconsider. A couple of the departments in your company throw down Big money on food and wine. As much or more than any other company I've hosted Xmas parties for in my 17 years in the restaurant biz. Then again, most of the people I've met from your company are MAJOR dorks, so I can see why you skip it.

 

[deadheadskier]

I had some at my last company that were pretty fun, but they were always in January to, which I always thought was ridiculous since it was past the holiday> I'd prefer to have it during the holiday season. January is clean slate month.

I think it's smart for companies to host them in January both in terms of scheduling and financially. In terms of scheduling, December it a tough month with people's schedules being full with family gatherings on both sides of the family, spouse's company holiday parties etc. Financially, January is the slowest catering month of the year for most F&B businesses. They're usually willing to waive room rental costs, through in free appetizers, drinks etc. A large company hosting a holiday party in January can save 20-30% on the cost. Theoretically that's money they can be giving to employees in terms of holiday bonuses instead.

 

[Mpdsnowman]

When I worked at UTC I was on the committee for the holiday party. They would actually give us a budget. Sometimes it went as high as 7k and that was years ago. We would have open bar with non alcoholic of course. The food would be a "station" style complete with the guy or girl cutting the meat. The location would always be one of those fine dining places with a large room. We would estimate about 100-150 people.

But everything you guys are talking about is true and happened back then. A lot of people dont like to associate outside of work with co-workers and thats not necessarily a bad thing. People say they are going and then dont. Liability is an issue with the booze..a big issue...

Over time UTC just put the hammer down on any xmas holiday parties. They left it to the individual departments which in turn just fizzled it out in time.

I could see how the Hurricane could put some xmas parties off the map this year...I could..If there is more to it that usually boils down to Liability and cost...Which right now for businesses is really high...

 

[Glenn]

Our company is very generous. It's held a local banquet facility; open bar, DJ, sitdown dinner (surf n' turf). A "good" year is when about half the employees attend. Yes, I understand people don't want to spend more time "at work". But the company puts out a good amount of money for the event...and you're not obligated to stay for the entire thing. Hell, you don't even have to dance.

 

[Puck it]

You might want to reconsider. A couple of the departments in your company throw down Big money on food and wine. As much or more than any other company I've hosted Xmas parties for in my 17 years in the restaurant biz. Then again, most of the people I've met from your company are MAJOR dorks, so I can see why you skip it.

Which depts? And where?

 

[o3jeff]

Does anyone's companies still hand out turkeys for Thanksgiving?

 

[Puck it]

Does anyone's companies still hand out turkeys for Thanksgiving?

Yup

 

[Black Phantom]

Yup

What kind of turkeys?

 

[Geoff]

Last year, my company had their Christmas party in Irvine, CA. They'd pay for employees to fly in but with really draconian travel guidelines. Airfare couldn't be more than $300. No rental car. Only 1 hotel night. No spouses or significant others. Like I'm going to spend all day in an airplane, attend a Friday night Christmas party, and fly home the next morning.

This year, not a peep about anything.