Are you going to your work Christmas party?

OldMrBrennan83

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I love Sean nos

Erik Shin wrote: »

Completely incorrect...and I'm speaking as a boss

A lot of companies though keep the company code of conduct in place.

Erik Shin

Patww79 wrote: »

Do you force (or gently insist) that they attend though? Like, if I worked somewhere and I was being pushed to one of these things then I could suck it up and go for pints, but I would not attend bowling. What do you do if someone has the same opinion?

I threw in bowling so as not to make everyone think everyone in Kerry spends their entire time in the pub.
It's totally democratic...If someone says they want the pub..fine by me... dinner...fine by me...
We kind of go with the majority ....as it happens, no-one has said bowling so far

OldMrBrennan83

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Erik Shin

Patww79 wrote: »

But do they have to attend the nights out at all or can an individual pass it up without consequences?

Of course they can pass it up... Christ, I've passed it up on occasions...there is nothing mandatory about it...in fact it would be rare for every single member of staff to be present as home life, sport etc can come first, these can be very spur of the moment things at times...call goes out at 3.30pm...will we do it tonight?...and it just flows naturally from there

OldMrBrennan83

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Spanish Eyes

It really is forced fun. Anyone who says otherwise is a dick/female version of same.

I avoided the "whole night gig" like the plague. But I did stick my head in the door for an hour or so, so they knew I was there. And it was nice to have a bit of craic early on too don't get me wrong.

Totally cynical I know that. But after a few hours no one gives a flying fk anyway.

But I don't have to do it anymore now. Thanks be to god.

Spanish Eyes

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

It really is forced fun. Anyone who says otherwise is a dick/female version of same.

I avoided the "whole night gig" like the plague. But I did stick my head in the door for an hour or so, so they knew I was there. And it was nice to have a bit of craic early on too don't get me wrong.

Totally cynical I know that. But after a few hours no one gives a flying fk anyway.

But I don't have to do it anymore now. Thanks be to god.

Anyone who doesn't believe the Christmas party to be forced fun is a díck? That's a bit of a stretch surely.

LirW

It makes a huge difference though if you're in a small company where you're like 10 people or a multinational where your department alone can be 40 or 50 people. The larger the worse in my opinion and throw in a Senior who's a bit of a nutter and takes notes of every employee... nah, not for me.

The last I've been to was a sitdown meal and while the food was good the evening ended in one of the lads very drunk and constantly asking the waiters where our polish guy was (throw in some "funny" race stereotypes) and another one talking about the big pharma conspiracy.

Erik Shin

Patww79 wrote: »

That's good going then. As you can imagine, there's a lot of bosses want to flex and insist on attendance at these things.

Not a bit with me... there's no point I find....I'm a bastard, a complete bastard...but people like me...I'm good to my staff, I would never berate or talk down to them, I respect them and I appreciate the work they put in.... A night out every so often lets us just unwind, all work talk is banished after 30 mins...and then it's just good food, wine and company...I accept it's not the same everywhere, it takes a lot of things to gel for a work relationship to function, and nights out help in my experience

Wanderer2010

Im surprised by some of the replies here in relation to the alleged benefits of mixing with management. At the end of the day your boss has to make impartial and cold decisions in relation to your career- pay, work conditions and promotions. So it certainly pays to have a professional relationship with the boss. Im good at my job and help my workmates in any way i can.
But would i have a few pints and dance to music with my boss in the same room? Christ no with a capital NO. Its not the same as your mates you cant just cut loose and be yourself you have a job to do. My boss has been my boss for 7yrs now and doesnt know anything about my personal life he has probably after given up trying but thats fine- given the chance to mix with mates or people i work with its mates or family any day of the week.
Its also sad how some people dont seem to have any friends outside of work..

ArnoldJRimmer

Never ceases to amaze me how many people look at their work colleagues as though they're from another planet. 'Forced fun and if you attend you're a d!ck,' and 'I have to spend all day with them as it is.'

For the most part, they probably have similar ambitions and frustrations as you with the job. Going on a night out with them is not agreeing to participate in some secret club, or all of a sudden change your work dynamic. It can be a bit of craic, or you could also end up stuck beside some boring fcuker who wont stop talking shop. I'm of the opinion that a night out is what you make it anyway. But the way some people are talking here, you'd swear they were teenagers being forced to go on a night out with their teachers

Erik Shin

ArnoldJRimmer wrote: »

Never ceases to amaze me how many people look at their work colleagues as though they're from another planet. 'Forced fun and if you attend you're a d!ck,' and 'I have to spend all day with them as it is.'

For the most part, they probably have similar ambitions and frustrations as you with the job. Going on a night out with them is not agreeing to participate in some secret club, or all of a sudden change your work dynamic. It can be a bit of craic, or you could also end up stuck beside some boring fcuker who wont stop talking shop. I'm of the opinion that a night out is what you make it anyway. But the way some people are talking here, you'd swear they were teenagers being forced to go on a night out with their teachers

Indeed, I'm sure a good psychologist would have a field day in here with all of us

doolox

I usually go to work socials when I had a job.

As I got older I use to drink moderately and eat heartily because I was lucky to have employers who were generous enough with food and stuff.

I do all my heavy drinking alone or with non work friends. Its just too risky otherwise.

It is important not to let yourself look like an intoxicated twit when going to work socials.

Mister Vain

Karsini wrote: »

Yes, we're pretty much obliged to, or else you're ostracised.

Yep, or if you do go but leave after a couple of hours you're ostracised. Or if you go but don't dance you're ostracised. Or if go but get pissed after a few drinks you're ostracised. Try to shift the new secretary? Yep you guessed it - ostracised. Can't fcuking win. :pac:

Although a lot of people don't bother in my job anymore. I'd say about 90% of the staff used to attend the Christmas party whereas now its only about 50%. I never liked them so I won't be going.

Mister Vain

Wanderer2010 wrote: »

would i have a few pints and dance to music with my boss in the same room? Christ no with a capital NO. Its not the same as your mates you cant just cut loose and be yourself.

This. I just wouldn't be comfortable. Even seeing my boss in Tesco while doing my shopping is awkward enough, never mind fecking dancing in front of him. :pac:

222233

Nope. vicarious liability.

_Dara_

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In fairness, I think Nox has a PhD and I don’t get the impression it’s in some “soft science” field.

_Dara_

Deleted User wrote: »

For any of you getting the auld knickers in a twist about my "managerial skills" I am not a manager and I don't have hiring or firing powers. So all can rest easy in their beds tonight

Well, you gave a hypothetical of what you would do as a manager - is nobody supposed to comment on that hypothetical?

_Dara_

_Dara_ wrote: »

Well, you gave a hypothetical of what you would do as a manager - is nobody supposed to comment on that hypothetical?

I was joking Dara. People can comment on whatever they like

LirW

LirW wrote: »

It makes a huge difference though if you're in a small company where you're like 10 people or a multinational where your department alone can be 40 or 50 people.

Exactly.

As I said, there'll be 5 at ours. 4 I've worked with for over 10 years. We've been at each others weddings, christenings, family funerals, other nights out, even house parties. Why wouldn't we go to a Christmas party together?

My wife works in a very large company, the dynamics are very different.

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_Dara_

....... wrote: »

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I know, I’ve never worked in any company where heavy drinking helps you get ahead. Kinda sounds like one or more of his bosses is a dipso.

Mister Vain

Yeah that's another thing. If you don't get up and dance at some stage you're as dry as an African footpath. I see people forcing themselves to do it or else they're been dragged up by someone else.

Grueller

I might go if its in Ballyraggett.

Korvanica

Defo its always a blast.

If you cant go out with your work mates and have a good night you're in the wrong team.

OldMrBrennan83

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Bigbagofcans

Martina1991 wrote: »

I'm not working all weekend so I'm going to get flithered.

Haven't heard the word flithered in years! Thanks for reminding me, going to start using that one

Korvanica

Patww79 wrote: »

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That's fair enough. Company cultures differ. Ours leans towards being pally.

Mister Vain

Its one thing if you're well looked after I suppose. We don't get a free bar or even a Christmas bonus. The only bar we get is a Mars bar and thats likely to be out of date. One time I got an out of date bag of granola, no joke.

eviltimeban

Yes. Ours is usually a fancy sit down dinner in a top hotel (Fitzwilliam / Westbury / Shelbourne level) and there's no expense spared. I go for the pre-drinks, the dinner, and a few drinks after, but I head home when the music / dancing starts.

That's a good way to do it. I've been to ones which are large events in big function rooms, consisting of several companies at once. I went to one in the Burlington and the compare was Marty Whelan; it was torture.

Erik Shin

Bigbagofcans wrote: »

Haven't heard the word flithered in years! Thanks for reminding me, going to start using that one

Never heard that... have heard "fluthered" though

gazzer

No. Because we arnt having one. Love working in the Civil Service

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Odats

Yep.  We are doing the Rugby 7's in Dubai for our one.  We are over this neck of the woods and a close team so good craic.

uch

gazzer wrote: »

No. Because we arnt having one. Love working in the Civil Service

I'm in the service too but we are having one, I won't go though cause I work with a load of Cúnts

Bigbagofcans

Mister Vain wrote: »

Yeah that's another thing. If you don't get up and dance at some stage you're as dry as an African footpath. I see people forcing themselves to do it or else they're been dragged up by someone else.

It's easier for some people to get up and dance. All you're doing is shuffling from side-to-side rather than forced conversation with some colleagues.

Heroditas

Ours is always very enjoyable.
Nice lunch in a Dublin city centre restaurant on a Friday. Paid for by the company and then off to a bar afterwards. Some people might head off after the meal, others after a few drinks and some in the early hours of the morning.
To be fair, the vast majority of the office get on with each other so it's always a pleasant afternoon/evening.

LirW

That's also one I consider strange but hear a lot: Company parties that include a meal but in fact you have to pay for it yourself. I mean, I fully understand that the company won't pay for a pish up that will go down in history but it's odd for a company to plan big events sometimes with meal, venue hire and it comes close to a wedding but people are not only expected to attend but have to pay for it.

In the last company I've worked (small one) the owners paid because they could offset the event against tax.

maryishere

Always a nice evening. Last year someone phoned in sick the day of the party, but I had the afternoon off and spotted her in Grafton st only a few hours before the party, so I can understand some people think up excuses to get off going.

Mister Vain

LirW wrote: »

That's also one I consider strange but hear a lot: Company parties that include a meal but in fact you have to pay for it yourself. I mean, I fully understand that the company won't pay for a pish up that will go down in history but it's odd for a company to plan big events sometimes with meal, venue hire and it comes close to a wedding but people are not only expected to attend but have to pay for it.

In the last company I've worked (small one) the owners paid because they could offset the event against tax.

When I was working during the boom years it seemed to be more common for the company to pay for the meal, but its not the case where I work now. I think one year the company offered to pay for half the meal but generally we have to pay for it.

Mister Vain

So my boss recently organised a party and nobody is going. Usually there would be a few but not one person has put their name down. He has been a bit of a bastard lately so Im not that surprised.

harry Bailey esq

I wouldn't imagine I'll be attending lol.

Jawgap

Yes indeed!!!!

We usually have a meet up at a hotel, very civilised dinner (not much or nothing to drink)......up the next morning, early, for a few hours to discuss/review the year and talk about first part of next year etc

Then meet up with the rest of the staff for a lunch with a speaker.....then we have the staff awards (which are mostly about taking the mick), then it's a bit of boozy afternoon, buffet for dinner and on to the nightclub for anyone with the stamina. The firm is good enough to pay for everyone's food, drink and accommodation (or car home, if you don't fancy staying).

Dagenham Dave

I accepted redundancy a few weeks ago and at the time I said I'd go to the Xmas do.
With a few weeks distance between me and the company I can now think of nothing worse.
Imagine paying 40 quid to eat an over cooked Christmas dinner with people you just about tolerate during the day.

funnights74

Jaysus no. I wouldn't be seen dead.

HonalD

A benefit of living in a Muslim country is there are none.

OldMrBrennan83

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snowflaker

We don’t have one, ppl organise their own stuff. The old ones are having dinner and the kids are drinking and finger food. I’ll have a few pints but ex from London is over so...

Jawgap

Patww79 wrote: »

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An 'after dinner' type speaker......except its after lunch Usually they get someone in with a funny story or two to tell..... it's a bit of craic. Last year it was a former Apache helicopter pilot, year before it was a tv/film producer and the year before that it was a de-frocked priest who now works in medical education.