For many in the UK, early snowfall has painted a very festive scene as we enter December.
The traditional Dickensian vision of a white landscape and a hearty roaring fire is being played out in many towns and cities around the country, but one winter tradition appears to be on the way out if recent statistics are anything to go by.
The customary office party has become famous for stationery cupboard exploits and indecent acts with photocopiers, but according to statistics from Employment Law Advisory Services (ELAS), almost 40% of SME's in the UK are planning to scrap the office party.
Unsurprisingly the recession has taken a bite out of corporate festivities, with 20% no longer able to afford it and 16% deeming it to be insensitive in the wake of redundancies and lay offs.
The real worry for the future of the office party comes from employers themselves, with 70% of employers having an issue with staff behaviour during and after the event.
It seems that the flammable concoction of alcohol and your boss is just a little too much for some people, and the age old problem of telling your superiors exactly what you think of them can make for an uncomfortable atmosphere.
Coupled with employers being slightly concerned about the behaviour of staff is the issue of whether staff will actually enjoy a Christmas party.
According to the survey 10% of companies have cancelled office parties because staff don't want to go out together, so for those that do continue with parties there's no guaranteeing that staff will even appreciate the gesture.
With the sales of corporate gifts set to increase this Christmas when compared to last year, businesses are seemingly not averse to celebrating the festive season, but with the added marketing benefits that are attached to corporate gifts bosses may prefer to spend on those over office parties.
Corporate gifts are also a much safer spend than office parties, with no danger of them getting drunk and making a pass at their colleagues, but would choosing corporate gifts over an office party be a victory for pragmatism over enjoyment, valuing marketing benefits and business opportunities at Christmas over staff rewards? Of course, office parties are not without their risks, but can a work event provide a much needed pick-me-up or motivational tool to help businesses work more effectively? While times are tough it is clear that businesses who are watching the pennies will cut expenses such as Christmas parties as this will save them much needed money.
Where businesses are cutting back on parties they may well make up for it with corporate gifts or cash bonuses, and however businesses choose to mark the festive period it is important to realise its potential for rewarding hard working staff.
Whether it's with an office party or Christmas corporate gifts it is important to recognise the achievements of staff and Christmas offers the perfect opportunity to do this.
Time will tell if the office party can survive in the 21st century, but what is important is that staff continue to be rewarded for their work to maintain motivation for the benefit of both the company and employees.
The traditional Dickensian vision of a white landscape and a hearty roaring fire is being played out in many towns and cities around the country, but one winter tradition appears to be on the way out if recent statistics are anything to go by.
The customary office party has become famous for stationery cupboard exploits and indecent acts with photocopiers, but according to statistics from Employment Law Advisory Services (ELAS), almost 40% of SME's in the UK are planning to scrap the office party.
Unsurprisingly the recession has taken a bite out of corporate festivities, with 20% no longer able to afford it and 16% deeming it to be insensitive in the wake of redundancies and lay offs.
The real worry for the future of the office party comes from employers themselves, with 70% of employers having an issue with staff behaviour during and after the event.
It seems that the flammable concoction of alcohol and your boss is just a little too much for some people, and the age old problem of telling your superiors exactly what you think of them can make for an uncomfortable atmosphere.
Coupled with employers being slightly concerned about the behaviour of staff is the issue of whether staff will actually enjoy a Christmas party.
According to the survey 10% of companies have cancelled office parties because staff don't want to go out together, so for those that do continue with parties there's no guaranteeing that staff will even appreciate the gesture.
With the sales of corporate gifts set to increase this Christmas when compared to last year, businesses are seemingly not averse to celebrating the festive season, but with the added marketing benefits that are attached to corporate gifts bosses may prefer to spend on those over office parties.
Corporate gifts are also a much safer spend than office parties, with no danger of them getting drunk and making a pass at their colleagues, but would choosing corporate gifts over an office party be a victory for pragmatism over enjoyment, valuing marketing benefits and business opportunities at Christmas over staff rewards? Of course, office parties are not without their risks, but can a work event provide a much needed pick-me-up or motivational tool to help businesses work more effectively? While times are tough it is clear that businesses who are watching the pennies will cut expenses such as Christmas parties as this will save them much needed money.
Where businesses are cutting back on parties they may well make up for it with corporate gifts or cash bonuses, and however businesses choose to mark the festive period it is important to realise its potential for rewarding hard working staff.
Whether it's with an office party or Christmas corporate gifts it is important to recognise the achievements of staff and Christmas offers the perfect opportunity to do this.
Time will tell if the office party can survive in the 21st century, but what is important is that staff continue to be rewarded for their work to maintain motivation for the benefit of both the company and employees.
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