The holiday party 2009: downsized and simplified
It’s been a difficult year for everyone, and the economic downturn has affected how companies celebrate the holiday season. In a time of layoffs and furloughs, it just doesn’t seem right to celebrate lavishly.
Still, even if you’re mentally prepared for a scale-back, the severity of the actual numbers may surprise you. The annual Challenger Gray & Christmas survey showed that just 62% of businesses will have a holiday party this year. That’s down from 77% in 2008, and 90% in 2007 – meaning that 28% of businesses have dropped the custom in just two years. Want more proof? In her recent post “The 2009 Holiday Party: Holding On…” Ann Bares of Compensation Force cited some research from BLR about the state of the 2009 holiday party:
- For 37% of employers, the budget will be about the same.
- For 24% of employers, the budget will be smaller.
- 20% say they had no holiday party last year and won’t have one this year either.
- 14% say they had one last year but won’t this year.
In a nod to tough times, Coca-Cola execs said that they would be making a donation to a hunger-prevention charity instead of throwing a holiday bash – for the second year in a row. Individual departments will be encouraged to throw potluck lunches to celebrate instead, reported business publication TheStreet.com.
Some business owners who are really getting into the right spirit this year were James and Melinda Hemdon, profiled in the Orange County Register story “O.C. businesses trim, not end, year-end parties. ” The couple, who own Scuba.com, used to throw a catered dinner cruise. This year, though, in an attempt to scale back, they’re cooking a homemade dinner at their own house for staff.
It seems to me that employees who are facing more work for less pay, along with the loss of colleagues and an uncertain future, are likely to appreciate these gestures of restraint very much. It’s good for members of an organization to get together and appreciate what they have together, without spending money in such a way that calls their judgment into question. “Low-key” seems to be the watchword as we close out a very tough 2009.
How is your company handling the 2009 holiday party? Are you part of the 14% that have retired the office party this year? Do you have any creative ideas for celebrating on a budget? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
Wow. It’s truly a bummer that companies of all shapes and sizes are killing the Christmas shindig. You don’t need a large budget to celebrate the holidays with your prized talent.
Yes, your prized talent that worked hard all year long even though your business struggled - your prized talent who could walk any time - in boom or bust.
You can trim the bonuses or the jelly-of-the-month clubs, but don’t cut the holiday gathering.
We’re having an onsite like we usually do that includes a business vision review and other interactive presentations. We’re not flying everyone out this year from our team for other reasons as well as the recession, but we are plugging everyone in virtually so they can participate.
Then for the local folks we’re going bowling. Yep, bowling and then out for a light meal for festive camaraderie and fun.
Who doesn’t want that?
I would agree with Kevin. It is true that there have been layoffs, salary cuts, lower business and all that can go wrong has gone wrong.
But the question is, should that make the world stop? What about the ones who are still around? Who are slogging their backsides off and putting extra hours so that the wheels of the company, the economy and the country keep rolling! (Well not as dramatic as that but I guess the point is clear).
The times are tough and hence the tone and scale of the celebrations can be smaller (will do the company good by saving costs as well), but party there should be. That is the only way one can relax, recharge and bond for doing their bit the next day and the next year.
And finally, yes, the party should be on only if it is not the tax payer’s money that you are using – like some of the Wall Street types did last year after getting bailouts from the federal government. That is a strict No No.