2009 Workplace Holiday Fetes Less Festive

December 14, 2009 (PLANSPONSOR.com) – A new employer survey finds the down economy has taken a major bite out of traditional year-end holiday workplace activities.

BNA reports that its Holiday Practices Survey finds a significant dropoff in corporate sponsorship of holiday parties from 81% in 2008 to 67% in the latest poll. The proportion of employers backing a company-wide holiday party has also plunged from 64% in 2008 to 50% in 2009.

Also corporate parties will be less of a drinkfest. Among those scheduling an employee party, 58% will have alcohol available, down from 65% last year.

Many of those offering an open bar are also keeping an eye on consumption by:

• using bartenders to monitor consumption (77%),
• limiting times when alcohol is served (47%),
• offering taxi service for employees and guests (51%),
• providing discounted hotel rates to encourage overnight stays (31%), and
• appointing designated drivers (8%).

Those that have such get-togethers are making the fetes more of an employee-only affair, according to BNA.

Some 47% will open up their company-wide holiday parties to spouses or other guests, compared with the 55% last year. Some 33% say they will hand over a gift to an employee or provide a bonus, down from 40% in 2008 – the third consecutive declining figure since 49% in 2006.