Workplace Report December 2003

Features: News - Bargaining

Xmas cheer on the slide

A dwindling number of employers are willing to provide a Christmas party for their employees, according to a survey of 2,400 managers carried out by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).

Even where employers do organise something, 65% of them demand that staff make a contribution.

The survey also found that 80% of organisations no longer give a Christmas bonus and more than half require staff to work over the festive period. Employers claimed their business would suffer during the run up to Christmas because of a tendency to party, with over one fifth specifically claiming "morning after" absenteeism as a problem.

However, despite the apparent lack of Christmas cheer, the survey shows that many workers mark the occasion themselves with over 70% sharing gifts at work.