More Employers Planning Holiday Parties, Gifts

A CareerBulder news release said 33% of employers plan to give their employees holiday bonuses this year, up from 29% in 2009. Among that group, 59% are planning to give the same amount as in previous years. Nine percent of employers will not be issuing holiday bonuses even though they have in previous years, down from 12% last year.

Meanwhile, 52% of employers are planning a holiday party for their employees this year, up from 49% in 2009. Of that group, 70% plan to throw the same party as in previous years. Eight percent (down from 11% last year) of employers don’t plan to have a holiday party in 2010 even though they have in previous years.

Some 29% employers plan to give holiday gifts, up from 26 % in 2009. Among those giving gifts, 65% plan to spend the same amount for workers as in previous years. Six percent say they are not planning to give holidays gifts in 2010, even though they have in years past.

“Many employers are financially in a better place this season and recognize the positive impact holiday perks can have on office morale,” said Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources for CareerBuilder, in the news release “Companies are not only giving back to employees this holiday season, 45% say their charitable donations will be the same or more than previous years.”

The nationwide poll was conducted between August 17 and September 2, 2010, and included more than 3,600 workers and more than 2,600 employers.