Office Christmas party provides essential morale boost

May 5, 2010

The annual office Christmas party is essential for staff morale, the majority of Britons believe.

A survey of 200 employees in the marketing, healthcare, hospitality and professional services sectors shows that 85 per cent maintain the Christmas party gives workers a much-needed boost.

The recession is not considered by the majority to be a reason to cancel the festive office party, with 60 per cent wanting their bash to go ahead in spite of the downturn.

On the subject of alternatives to the annual Christmas party, 38 per cent say they would opt for a day off and 29 per cent think a team lunch would suffice.

"Employees from all industries readily answered the questions, showing in speed alone that it's a topic close to their hearts," comments events director Alexandra Sibley, who carried out the study.

"A Christmas do is a tradition in this country and one that the great British working public are not willing to do without," she adds.

Yuletide office parties do not have to be expensive, she points out, maintaining that there are "good ways to tighten the purse strings" yet still deliver a Christmas party that rewards employees.