Christmas party 2021?

Hi all,

I'm wondering what everyone else is doing in terms of a Christmas party this year? 

I'm in a traditional manufacturing environment,the majority of staff are not PC-based for their role so online events don't really work for us as a company-wide thing. We're an SME and usually have one big party for everyone.

Last year we didn't have a Christmas party, but there were some online ones arranged in teams who could do this as an alternative. The Company offered gifts/vouchers etc instead. Everyone was accepting of where we are at. 

This year there's a real divide in the workforce (as with everywhere I think!) of people who just want to get on with things, and others who are more covid conscious/ cautious. We're in Scotland where we still have masks / an element of social distancing in workplaces etc, and the business take so far has been to follow all guidelines/guidance and we've all taken measures seriously. A recent staff survey has found that employees who aren't PC-based are really feeling left out or feeling negative towards the measures we've put in place because of COVID, the understanding seems to have gone.

It would feel strange to have a party without masks and all mixing, but then on Monday go back to masks and distancing in the workplace. However, it is technically now 'allowed' - so just wondering what everyone else is up to this year?

Apologies in advance for mentioning the C-word so early on in the year!

Parents
  • I think it's certainly very difficult to plan ahead at this time. You might encourage small teams to make their own informal arrangements, but less sure of a full on Christmas party. You can point staff in the diredction of the guidance... with the caveat that things are still very fluid.
  • Aside from what Steve is suggesting, could you use whatever money you would use to organise a company party and give each colleague/team an allowance for something to do - e.g. a night out or sending people gifts if they would prefer not to go to an event? There's such a mix of appetites for meeting up in person now, let alone when we're in the midst of Christmas when you're going to be seeing Great Aunt Doris over the holidays and don't want to give her COVID.
Reply
  • Aside from what Steve is suggesting, could you use whatever money you would use to organise a company party and give each colleague/team an allowance for something to do - e.g. a night out or sending people gifts if they would prefer not to go to an event? There's such a mix of appetites for meeting up in person now, let alone when we're in the midst of Christmas when you're going to be seeing Great Aunt Doris over the holidays and don't want to give her COVID.
Children