Firms cutting back on Christmas parties, expert says

An expert has claimed that a growing number of businesses are looking to cut costs by slashing expenditure on Christmas celebrations, but suggested they could offer employees more time off over the festive season as a sweetener.

Employment Review editor Noelle Murphy explained that recent research revealed one in ten British employers will not be organising any kind of Christmas get-together for their staff, while one-sixth will spend less on company-wide parties.

"One of the ways that employers can counteract the cut in costs for parties or Christmas lunches is to look creatively at time off," she said. "We found that four in ten employers are offering employees company days."

Ms Murphy implied that implementing such methods could be a good way of maintaining workforce morale in the face of seasonal spending reductions.

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Bosses looking to improve employee engagement and productivity should consider participating in the Attendance Management Forum 2011, due to take place in central London next January.

Posted by Hayley Edwards