Whether staff pay for their own staff night out, or management treat the workforce to a traditional Christmas party, chances are this year won’t be able to be quite so extravagant as in previous years.
With the cost of living crisis biting hard, and parents prioritising rising bills and having a good Christmas, it’s unlikely that employers or employees will be wanting to splash out for an indulgent meal this year – and whatever they do, it needs to be on a budget.
No matter who is footing the bill, it makes sense to check social media and the web for websites like Latest Deals that offers the best deals you can find for a great night out on a budget – and be flexible, it’s not all about Black Friday. After all, if you can get a better deal for changing the date to one a week earlier, why wouldn’t you – and it will be easier to get a cab home too!
If employers are picking up the tab, it’s important they hit the right note this year, as even cabs home and extra drinks can be a headache for hard-up employees. However, employers are not immune from all the challenges of 2022, including rising energy costs, rising commercial property rental rates, staff recruitment challenges and the rest – so how can you make savings on work Christmas parties this year? Here’s some tips
- Ask what people want to do – often employers will arrange a big expensive night out – from day trips to London to lavish meals at 5 star hotels when their staff would be just as happy going somewhere local and more informal. It may seem like a treat, but often employees worry about forking out for the cost of a new outfit or formal clothing – and they’d prefer a night ten pin bowling and a pizza afterwards. By asking, you won’t spend more than you need to and your staff will have a better time!
- If nobody is up for going ‘out out’, something like an Escape Room or a team building event makes a great alternative to a party and it will help boost morale too. Having pizzas and a few beers delivered to the office before you leave gets the mood off to a great start – but make sure you provide alcohol free options for drivers.
- If funds are really tight and you are working up to the wire, why not host an in-work event on the last day of work – accept that many people won’t be in the mood to work that last day anyway, ensure your phones are covered, but make that last day all about fun, so bring in some board games, host a quiz, do a buffet (everyone can bring something in) and have a ‘late lunch’. This is especially good for Christmas Eve, when calls are quieter for many businesses and staff may be miserable if their other halves have been given the day off and they are the only family member still in work today!
Whatever you do, you need to ensure that your staff party is an event your people will remember for all the right reasons. You’ll need to ensure employees are aware they need to behave responsibly.
There is no shortage of HR articles advising on the policies you need to put in place ahead of time, but more important than anything else is to create a positive, inclusive event where every member of staff feels welcome, nobody feels pressure to spend more than they have, and above all else, everyone has fun.