Works Xmas parties - any shenanigans?
Discussion
Ours is on Thursday. I've been for the past few years, but always on best behaviour as the only supplier invited... Now I'm employed by them.
Previous years I have bypassed the club and ended up back at the hotel bar. Usually worked well.
This year I am in a new part of the business recently acquired. I have new bosses, who are hardy drinkers - but also spend a lot of time dealing with my old colleagues.
I'm also a tad peed off, which is not the best frame of mind to get pissed with ones line managers around...
Hopefully all will be well.
Apparently last year the firm had to buy a new mattress for a hotel room after a after-party got out of handed and someone vomited, beyond any cleaners ability...
Previous years I have bypassed the club and ended up back at the hotel bar. Usually worked well.
This year I am in a new part of the business recently acquired. I have new bosses, who are hardy drinkers - but also spend a lot of time dealing with my old colleagues.
I'm also a tad peed off, which is not the best frame of mind to get pissed with ones line managers around...
Hopefully all will be well.
Apparently last year the firm had to buy a new mattress for a hotel room after a after-party got out of handed and someone vomited, beyond any cleaners ability...
Last year's was pretty good (Chinese and 1 drink, paid for by the company) then off to a few pubs and feel rotten the next day. Amazing how well behaved everyone was really, there were a few loons going!
(Our manager and one of the lads having a punch up and spending a night in the cells excepted, of course)
This year they've really got into the Christmas spirit, it's a £25 allowance to be paid for by the most senior person going, then claimed back. With the payroll cut off date, they'd get it back in February
Merry Christmas,
s! 
(Our manager and one of the lads having a punch up and spending a night in the cells excepted, of course)
This year they've really got into the Christmas spirit, it's a £25 allowance to be paid for by the most senior person going, then claimed back. With the payroll cut off date, they'd get it back in February
Merry Christmas,
s! Edited by Plymo on Monday 10th December 20:10
I really try and steer well clear of Christmas Parties, we have a lot of works events and they normally end in one management intervention or another. I normally say I have another engagement to avoid the week or so after of management wash up after the event.
A Christmas party from some years ago I can talk about however that ended pretty badly. I worked in a fin serv firm and different departments rarely mixed, contact centre staff and administration staff were two such areas. No love lost between the two resulted in a few harsh words and the odd push on the hotel dance floor as the 5th pint of brave juice was sunk. I left at this point.
Roll on 2 hours, and to the tipping point which allegedly was a contact staff member kicked a door open to the toilet which bounced off the bump stop and hit him square in the face as it swung back. By the time he got back to his contact centre buddies he'd allegedly been attacked by admin.
Now he picked the two admin guys who were a few paces behind him on the way to the toilet (who burst out laughing when his face splattered on the door and who were both incidentally exceptionally handy). So he rallies his mates and they start swinging, this escslates into a full blown brawl, which spills out of the private ball room into the hotel reception, a guest who tries to stop it allegedly gets sparko'd, cases etc everywhere. Much screaming from guests, many broken things.
So after the 4th riot van turns up it all gets stopped, the following meetings and dismissals kept HR, Management and Union reps busy for just over a month.
A Christmas party from some years ago I can talk about however that ended pretty badly. I worked in a fin serv firm and different departments rarely mixed, contact centre staff and administration staff were two such areas. No love lost between the two resulted in a few harsh words and the odd push on the hotel dance floor as the 5th pint of brave juice was sunk. I left at this point.
Roll on 2 hours, and to the tipping point which allegedly was a contact staff member kicked a door open to the toilet which bounced off the bump stop and hit him square in the face as it swung back. By the time he got back to his contact centre buddies he'd allegedly been attacked by admin.
Now he picked the two admin guys who were a few paces behind him on the way to the toilet (who burst out laughing when his face splattered on the door and who were both incidentally exceptionally handy). So he rallies his mates and they start swinging, this escslates into a full blown brawl, which spills out of the private ball room into the hotel reception, a guest who tries to stop it allegedly gets sparko'd, cases etc everywhere. Much screaming from guests, many broken things.
So after the 4th riot van turns up it all gets stopped, the following meetings and dismissals kept HR, Management and Union reps busy for just over a month.
Vaud said:
QuartzDad said:
Company I worked for last year, UK branch of tech multinational. VP of sales, who pretty much personally delivered 40m of the 110m turnover, was invited to resign after the Xmas do.
Struggle to think how batst crazy whatever he did was to result in that.
Maybe they wanted shot of him for other reasons and this was the most easily provable and did not incur a restructuring cost (harassment, bullying, dodgy contracts with customers making a power play against a board member, etc)Struggle to think how bats
t crazy whatever he did was to result in that.
Sounds like it to me.(Probably pissed a few people off if he claimed to be singlehandedly delivering nearly 40% of the company turnover
)Mine is this Saturday and with 8 techs gone in 2 months and only 3 of the 11 techs left going all in their 40-50s I really can't be arsed. Things aren't great atm with management completely ignoring its staff so its best to stay well clear as if I do go and with drink inside I will tell the managers the truth which I don't think will end too well.
Think best is to go out with close mates instead this year.
Think best is to go out with close mates instead this year.
Ha some funny stories on here , brings back the memories of funtimes . Years ago you could get away with it , now there are HR departments and every barstard has a camera !
Mine was ok ,I was mr boring and stayed quite sober even though it was wine tasting class then free bar and food . Can't be bothered with the hassle as I'm senior in company and don't fancy any ball aches come Monday . First one ever I had no hangover in the past I've been unable to walk or talk the next day.
We told our staff to enjoy themselves but don't drink too much and never go near a car to drive home! You can't molicuddle staff as most drink a bit have a laugh then go home .
Blimey I have turned into mr dull I kind of miss wild parties when I was young , single with no mortgage , now I've got too much at stake !!
Mine was ok ,I was mr boring and stayed quite sober even though it was wine tasting class then free bar and food . Can't be bothered with the hassle as I'm senior in company and don't fancy any ball aches come Monday . First one ever I had no hangover in the past I've been unable to walk or talk the next day.
We told our staff to enjoy themselves but don't drink too much and never go near a car to drive home! You can't molicuddle staff as most drink a bit have a laugh then go home .
Blimey I have turned into mr dull I kind of miss wild parties when I was young , single with no mortgage , now I've got too much at stake !!
Shnozz said:
Tim330 said:
Shnozz said:
Teddy Lop said:
I work for myself, can I just go out and get smashed/slap up meal and claim it as tax deductible?
Yep. Up to £150 per employee.https://www.gov.uk/expenses-benefits-social-functi...
tting me, I can just take the mrs for a meal plus drinks and chuck the receipt in the pile on my return and that's okay? Why has it taken me so long to learn of this.TwistingMyMelon said:
Ha some funny stories on here , brings back the memories of funtimes . Years ago you could get away with it , now there are HR departments and every barstard has a camera !
Mine was ok ,I was mr boring and stayed quite sober even though it was wine tasting class then free bar and food . Can't be bothered with the hassle as I'm senior in company and don't fancy any ball aches come Monday . First one ever I had no hangover in the past I've been unable to walk or talk the next day.
We told our staff to enjoy themselves but don't drink too much and never go near a car to drive home! You can't molicuddle staff as most drink a bit have a laugh then go home .
Blimey I have turned into mr dull I kind of miss wild parties when I was young , single with no mortgage , now I've got too much at stake !!
Disappointing story compared to the others.Mine was ok ,I was mr boring and stayed quite sober even though it was wine tasting class then free bar and food . Can't be bothered with the hassle as I'm senior in company and don't fancy any ball aches come Monday . First one ever I had no hangover in the past I've been unable to walk or talk the next day.
We told our staff to enjoy themselves but don't drink too much and never go near a car to drive home! You can't molicuddle staff as most drink a bit have a laugh then go home .
Blimey I have turned into mr dull I kind of miss wild parties when I was young , single with no mortgage , now I've got too much at stake !!
SpunkyGlory said:
Last year I was casually seeing a girl from the office. She kissed a colleague in front of me, which caused quite a bit of drama considering he was staying with me that night. I now live with him, and they're now seeing each other, meaning I get to listen to them have sex on a regular basis.
Jesus Christ....that's fking weirdAndrewEH1 said:
SpunkyGlory said:
Last year I was casually seeing a girl from the office. She kissed a colleague in front of me, which caused quite a bit of drama considering he was staying with me that night. I now live with him, and they're now seeing each other, meaning I get to listen to them have sex on a regular basis.
Jesus Christ....that's fking weird
Haven't been to one for years since being self employed but it was really tame by some standards on here! The only highlight of note was a personal thing in that the party started at lunchtime with a 3 course meal and plenty of wine followed by a free bar so I decided to stay on the Baileys all afternoon and into the evening. Worked out the day after I had got through an entire bottle of Baileys which I also worked out was 3000 calories on it's own 
Smiler. said:
Dilly dilly
Ours is this weekend. I'm not planning on drinking as Im driving, so I'll be out an hour or so after the foods turned up most probably
Never been "guy who makes arse of himself" I've never managed to bang any of the ladies I work with either. Though there's a few I wish I had
And some who I thought I had a chance with going with someone else in all the excitement But seen fights, and pukings galore.
A few years ago, long before HR interventions etc.
We had a large team of about 120 construction professionals and support staff and the boss decided that instead of each individual team wandering off to do their own thing, he would encourage more mixing and he would lay on a fully funded party for all with free drinks, cheese and biscuits etc. In those days, hospitality gifts usually included a bottle or more which most donated so there was no shortage of drink.
Several hours later,everybody was well loaded but things began to go sour when one of the guys was spotted pawing the office junior under the table. He was married, she was rather young and was rather inappropriate even by the standards of the day.
Time to act before it got too steamy - they were split up, and the guy - shall we call him Derek was invited to go home. The boss and Derek's manager helped him into the lift where he promptly threw up over the boss, who incidentally was always suited and booted immaculately. At the bottom, a taxi had been called but Derek had no money to take him the 20 miles home so the boss had no option but to open his wallet and to pay the driver.
Over the holiday weekend the phone lines were smoking as the boss spoke to Derek's manager saying he wanted him dismissed on his return and which to his credit he resisted saying you can't sack a bloke for that. Reason eventually prevailed.
Needless to say when Derek returned he had a good talking at behind closed doors, was warned about his transgression and put on 'probation' for the next 12 months.
Needless to say Derek became an office legend.
I've now retired from all that, and life has moved on in a world ruled by PC and snowflakes. I still do some solo freelance design part time and my Christmas party this year will be a 'Romantic Meal for One' courtesy of the M&S £12 meal and wine offer. You know, a main. side and sweet with a bottle of plonk, perhaps turn the lights down, a little soft music and a snooze by the fire.
We had a large team of about 120 construction professionals and support staff and the boss decided that instead of each individual team wandering off to do their own thing, he would encourage more mixing and he would lay on a fully funded party for all with free drinks, cheese and biscuits etc. In those days, hospitality gifts usually included a bottle or more which most donated so there was no shortage of drink.
Several hours later,everybody was well loaded but things began to go sour when one of the guys was spotted pawing the office junior under the table. He was married, she was rather young and was rather inappropriate even by the standards of the day.
Time to act before it got too steamy - they were split up, and the guy - shall we call him Derek was invited to go home. The boss and Derek's manager helped him into the lift where he promptly threw up over the boss, who incidentally was always suited and booted immaculately. At the bottom, a taxi had been called but Derek had no money to take him the 20 miles home so the boss had no option but to open his wallet and to pay the driver.
Over the holiday weekend the phone lines were smoking as the boss spoke to Derek's manager saying he wanted him dismissed on his return and which to his credit he resisted saying you can't sack a bloke for that. Reason eventually prevailed.
Needless to say when Derek returned he had a good talking at behind closed doors, was warned about his transgression and put on 'probation' for the next 12 months.
Needless to say Derek became an office legend.
I've now retired from all that, and life has moved on in a world ruled by PC and snowflakes. I still do some solo freelance design part time and my Christmas party this year will be a 'Romantic Meal for One' courtesy of the M&S £12 meal and wine offer. You know, a main. side and sweet with a bottle of plonk, perhaps turn the lights down, a little soft music and a snooze by the fire.
Jasandjules said:
Ilovejapcrap said:
re people getting fired at crimbo parties.
Is it right when the company basically fills them with ale ??
Would you like my answer as a lawyer who advises on disciplinary processes following Christmas Parties or as a person?Is it right when the company basically fills them with ale ??
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Rather handily I’m site based and have a choice of who is on my team, so I don’t have trouble with my immediate colleagues, and dealing with some of the more detestable members of our happy workforce is done only by email, which also enables me to have a recorded trail of their thoughts and instructions after any attempts at blame diversion. I’m actually very happy in my work...slipstream 1985 said:
Jasandjules said:
Ilovejapcrap said:
re people getting fired at crimbo parties.
Is it right when the company basically fills them with ale ??
Would you like my answer as a lawyer who advises on disciplinary processes following Christmas Parties or as a person?Is it right when the company basically fills them with ale ??
Most employment contracts will have a clause in them referring to ‘bringing the company into disrepute’, ‘representing the company’ and possibly more general references to behaviour.
I have seen at least two people be sacked for unacceptable behaviour while drunk at staff parties or other events.
Not much sympathy from me to be honest. If you can’t control your drinking, or behave yourself for just one night whilst out with your colleagues, then you deserve it.
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