Barclays issues Christmas party warning to employees

28/10/2008

Bosses at Barclays Bank have warned staff not to go overboard on the Christmas party planning this year, in case it offends customers who have been affected by the credit crunch.

Staff have been told to be on their best behaviour, and they have been forbidden from booking functions in the bank's name. All awards dinners have been cancelled.

An email to staff from Paul Titterton, who oversees Scotland, Northern Ireland and the north-west of England, said: "Given recent press regarding banks (including Barclays) having lavish parties while they have been bailed out by the government and customers are losing jobs/businesses, Barclays has taken the decision to cancel any awards dinners for the year.

"It is imperative Christmas parties we have locally are relatively low-key and your staff are well-behaved (no big fat cigars, copious champagne and generally loud and unruly behaviour)."

A Barclays spokeswoman said: "We expect our staff to behave well when they are out at a workrelated social event. We have a formal policy which says staff must behave in a manner which does not bring Barclays' reputation into disrepute."