Analytics

Monday, December 03, 2007

The End of the Company Christmas Party?


Whatever you decide to call it, the company holiday party has become nearly obsolete. Fewer and fewer businesses are having parties, whether it's concern about the liability of alcohol, things getting out of hand, or just a need focus on business rather than play.

Now comes news that this trend might be ending. It turns out that employers who are baby boomers (age 42 and up) are less likely to throw company parties, while younger employers are more likely to have them (and more likely to issue end-of-the-year bonuses as well). The American Express Small Business Monitor issued the survey, which sampled only businesses with less than 100 employees.

Perhaps the down economy is aiding this trend as well: 59% of employers are planning on giving gifts to employees - that's down from 70% last year.

In any case, it's critical to strategically determine whether or not to have a party, issue bonuses, or give gifts. Employees should not have an automatic expectation of such things, but this is the time of the year to show your appreciation and acknowledgment for the contributions they made on behalf of your business.

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