Works Xmas parties - any shenanigans?
Discussion
Jasandjules said:
Would you like my answer as a lawyer who advises on disciplinary processes following Christmas Parties or as a person?
That is a very specialised area of the law. I assume it keeps you busy during January but what do you do for the rest of the year?Have you thought about doing weddings and christenings as well?
My old firm realised that for the cost of a decent party, something better could be arranged.
Cheap flights were sought from a well known budget airline, then a suitable hotel deal, and we had weekend city breaks in early December, from early Friday to late Sunday, complete with other halves if you wished. We did Venice, Rome, Milan, Amsterdam, Barcelona and Hamburg, all in decent hotels.
Cheap flights were sought from a well known budget airline, then a suitable hotel deal, and we had weekend city breaks in early December, from early Friday to late Sunday, complete with other halves if you wished. We did Venice, Rome, Milan, Amsterdam, Barcelona and Hamburg, all in decent hotels.
Lord Marylebone said:
It isn’t anything to do with getting paid. It’s the fact you are still representing the company.
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.
This is the justification used to fire the guy involved in a punch up on one of ours. Not entirely convinced I agree with them, but I've always being fairly lax on that front. 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.
Though one of the sales girls got absolutely wrecked at a different party (with a load of our major customers) and blew chunks all over her manager. Twice. He had to deliver back home to her mum in a right state. Guess the lesson is it's much easier to get away with stuff if you're an 18 year old blonde.
We're off for a "late lunch" today. Which if go anything like previous Friday offsite meetings (fueled by creative Juice ....(Laguninatas (around 6%)) could be quite messy.
Best Xmas parties I had were when in the Foreign Office (90's) - worked with a bunch of ex Army/Navy scallies (Radio Operators) We had a Xmas week of parties.
Monday - Breakfast - Champagne and Tequilla with a big fry up in The Prince Albert on Victoria Road. Staggering back through St James Park with quite senior people throwing up in the bins.
Tuesday - day to recover, do personal admin/Xmas shopping
Wednesday - Lunch - Gordons Wine Bar near Embankment underground station.
Thursday - day to recover, do personal admin/Xmas shopping
Friday - Black Tie function - usually in some Marquee either in the HAC, or over @ Lords Cricket ground.
Other memorable ones were @ Park Lane hotels after I'd left the FCO and joined a Financial Newspaper (printed on pink paper ....) again late 90's into early 2000's. Drunken/debauchery .... the good old days !!
Best Xmas parties I had were when in the Foreign Office (90's) - worked with a bunch of ex Army/Navy scallies (Radio Operators) We had a Xmas week of parties.
Monday - Breakfast - Champagne and Tequilla with a big fry up in The Prince Albert on Victoria Road. Staggering back through St James Park with quite senior people throwing up in the bins.
Tuesday - day to recover, do personal admin/Xmas shopping
Wednesday - Lunch - Gordons Wine Bar near Embankment underground station.
Thursday - day to recover, do personal admin/Xmas shopping
Friday - Black Tie function - usually in some Marquee either in the HAC, or over @ Lords Cricket ground.
Other memorable ones were @ Park Lane hotels after I'd left the FCO and joined a Financial Newspaper (printed on pink paper ....) again late 90's into early 2000's. Drunken/debauchery .... the good old days !!
Mine is next week Friday, going for a cheaper lunch so the company can put more cash behind the bar.
Today a few people are being given their marching orders in a company re-structure, so tensions will be higher than the usual critical level. Should be a good one!!
I was brought in to help entertain guests at a previous party, soon as the dance floor opened, I bust out a move, and bust out my calf muscle. At least I was sober!
Today a few people are being given their marching orders in a company re-structure, so tensions will be higher than the usual critical level. Should be a good one!!
I was brought in to help entertain guests at a previous party, soon as the dance floor opened, I bust out a move, and bust out my calf muscle. At least I was sober!
alorotom said:
this is always a strange one, we have an annual xmas bash - most of us dont work together anymore and havent for getting on for 8yrs now but we are all good friends and keep in touch all year round - this year was our 10yr christmas party extravaganza anniversary
theres always a massive amount of flirting, touching, hugging, holding, cupping, groping - in all directions but there is a collective no-sex rule amongst us all - were all married now (although non of us were when we first worked together) and its relatively innocent fun (very unPC granted, but we are all very similar people and all go on like this) - it just works!
I think its great that you and the boys can have a good night out once a year.theres always a massive amount of flirting, touching, hugging, holding, cupping, groping - in all directions but there is a collective no-sex rule amongst us all - were all married now (although non of us were when we first worked together) and its relatively innocent fun (very unPC granted, but we are all very similar people and all go on like this) - it just works!
shakotan said:
alorotom said:
this is always a strange one, we have an annual xmas bash - most of us dont work together anymore and havent for getting on for 8yrs now but we are all good friends and keep in touch all year round - this year was our 10yr christmas party extravaganza anniversary
theres always a massive amount of flirting, touching, hugging, holding, cupping, groping - in all directions but there is a collective no-sex rule amongst us all - were all married now (although non of us were when we first worked together) and its relatively innocent fun (very unPC granted, but we are all very similar people and all go on like this) - it just works!
I think its great that you and the boys can have a good night out once a year.theres always a massive amount of flirting, touching, hugging, holding, cupping, groping - in all directions but there is a collective no-sex rule amongst us all - were all married now (although non of us were when we first worked together) and its relatively innocent fun (very unPC granted, but we are all very similar people and all go on like this) - it just works!
soad said:
AndrewEH1 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 f
king weird
I was also sleeping with someone else in the office so I was hardly in a position to complain. I stopped sleeping with Xmas party girl in March and they started seeing each other in July time so there's no hard feelings at all.
Shakermaker said:
Ours is in January, because the people in accounts, who are most of the people in the office, can't work properly around month end/year end - which is also in December for us. Plus nearly all the office hotties have gone now anyway.
Which annoys me a lot. But then to be fair, ours are always rather tame for the "official" bit - a lunch where the CEO puts a few quid behind the bar and we eat dry turkey and tell the same jokes that we have forever and day.
But what we will miss out on is the bit where we go out to the pub in town afterwards, which at Christmas is full of all the other semi-drunk people from other companies, all merry on Christmas spirit as well. Instead it'll be a rainy January afternoon and then the pub will be empty as every boring tt does "Dry January" and so no eye candy for us
I know its bad form to quote yourself but a further annoyance has been brought to my attention now:Which annoys me a lot. But then to be fair, ours are always rather tame for the "official" bit - a lunch where the CEO puts a few quid behind the bar and we eat dry turkey and tell the same jokes that we have forever and day.
But what we will miss out on is the bit where we go out to the pub in town afterwards, which at Christmas is full of all the other semi-drunk people from other companies, all merry on Christmas spirit as well. Instead it'll be a rainy January afternoon and then the pub will be empty as every boring t
t does "Dry January" and so no eye candy for usOne of the other justifications for having the "do" in January would be that a) it'll be easier to book somewhere with space for 70 or so people and b) we'll get a better deal because January is a quiet time for pubs/restaurants etc.
I've just looked at the email invite for it
it is still £29 for a three-course meal - a £4 increase on last year. And we are being offered the Christmas menu on 25th January! That's a month after the day, I don't want 5-week old sprouts and cabbage and the turkey that didn't sell previously.
And I have to pay for myself!
May choose to be elsewhere
Never you mind said:
Haven't been to a works xmas do for years! Think this is the first time in many years I have been in a contract over December. Oh well, I'll have a xmas do on my own at the local seeing as I can claim £150 as tax deductible.
The £150 is an up to amount. You can't go for a pint and expense £150 (unfortunately)
Tim330 said:
Never you mind said:
Haven't been to a works xmas do for years! Think this is the first time in many years I have been in a contract over December. Oh well, I'll have a xmas do on my own at the local seeing as I can claim £150 as tax deductible.
The £150 is an up to amount. You can't go for a pint and expense £150 (unfortunately)Never you mind said:
Tim330 said:
Never you mind said:
Haven't been to a works xmas do for years! Think this is the first time in many years I have been in a contract over December. Oh well, I'll have a xmas do on my own at the local seeing as I can claim £150 as tax deductible.
The £150 is an up to amount. You can't go for a pint and expense £150 (unfortunately)geeks said:
Never you mind said:
Tim330 said:
Never you mind said:
Haven't been to a works xmas do for years! Think this is the first time in many years I have been in a contract over December. Oh well, I'll have a xmas do on my own at the local seeing as I can claim £150 as tax deductible.
The £150 is an up to amount. You can't go for a pint and expense £150 (unfortunately)Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff