To think this is madness at a company Christmas do?

[designateddriver16]

We have a Christmas do which is pretty much compulsory. You get hounded for explanations if you don't go. They are generally Saturday nights and never in convenient locations. This year's is out in the sticks. Transport is not provided. Nearest town is 10 miles away. Accommodation available for £90 per room. (Not covered)

Senior management have announced us they are only providing free wine with the meal. No soft drinks for drivers or anyone else. I queried this and was told that tap water in a jug was the only non alcoholic option. Drinks are available at the bar at extra cost (last time a coke was £3)

I have to drive. Need to get home for the dcs. I'm not a massive drinker so even if I weren't driving tbh I'd like the option of alternating wine with a soft drink.

AIBU to think this is not only weirdly stingy but irresponsible madness?

[Lunar1]

Really odd, I think I'd have d&v that day!

[Upanddownroundandround]

YANBU. That is ridiculously irresponsible. Any chance you can have a quiet word with someone higher up or who holds the purse strings?

[Upanddownroundandround]

I would also be sick that day or have a minor family crisis that evening.

[bluebeck]

I just wouldn't go.

[LordRothermereBlackshirtCunt]

Well, if you get "hounded for explanations", there are pretty much five very good ones in your post. I can't see that your bosses would have much of a comeback to those.

[Showmetheminstrels]

It wouldn't bother me tbh. I'd go, have my one glass of wine and pay £3 for a coke later on, then drive home. £3 for an otherwise free night out sounds all right to me.

[SleepingBooty]

Yeah I wouldn't go to that.

[designateddriver16]

I questioned it at senior level. If I told you the kind of industry I'm in it would make the whole thing even more
It's the kind where any suggestion of drink driving would mean instant dismissal.
I might need a child to be ill I think.

[designateddriver16]

I can't drink a drop and drive, it just goes straight to my head these days. I did a champagne taster the other day in m&s and felt tipsy
Times have changed.

[PaulDacresConscience]

1. It's too far away.
   
2. Accommodation is not included; if it's compulsory that I attend then the company needs to cover the cost of the hotel room.
   
3. There are no soft drinks being provided, which is irresponsible when considering that people are having to drive to attend. Corporate responsibility for employee H&S would suggest that it's common sense to cater for those driving.
   
4. I have small children so don't want to spend a night away.
   
5. It's on a Saturday so is going to write off half of my weekend to attend - see reason 4.
   

There you go; 5 reasons not to go!

[YouTheCat]

Sick child

Flat tyre/battery

Vomiting virus

Washing machine flood...

[PaulDacresConscience]

No I don't drink and drive either. Alcohol impairs your judgement and reaction times and at this time of year it's a really bad idea; dark nights, cold weather and the risk of ice on the roads - especially if you are driving late at night.

[Whathaveilost]

Tells us what industry it is!

[BolivarAtasco]

I just wouldn't go. Work Christmas parties are living death anyway and to make it that difficult for people to attend pretty much guarantees a non-appearance.

Find a cast-iron excuse not to go and then tell everyone how gutted you are that you're missing it.

[PlinkPlonkPlunk]

Invent a wedding/big birthday party invitation for that evening. Someone vague, like a second cousin. Your parents really want to go, but need you to give them a lift.

[EssentialHummus]

Law?

Don't go, it sounds dreadful.

[designateddriver16]

An industry where we see and deal with the consequences if people drink and drive. Other than that, i'd better not say, even under a name change.

I really don't see why they can't put some non alcoholic wine on the tables.

[ManagersDilemma]

Take your own soft drink.

[riceuten]

You do wonder why it is "compulsory"?

[FlappysMammyAndPopeInExile]

Designated - I can see from here that you are looking very peaky. I wouldn't be surprised if you are really, really ill around party time.

[Inertia]

It's really stupid.

It also sounds like a massively inconvenient PITA thing to go to in the first place. What are they going to do if you say that you can't go?

[SouthofMaui]

Oh no, you have caught that awfully CONTAGIOUS vomiting bug!

On a serious note, the DM wil love that story (it's not against you OP, but your industry sounds like one the DM loves to talk about).

[AlabasterSnowball]

Yeah there's some really nasty bugs going around at the moment it would be a terrible shame for you to 'catch something'
Seems weird to make it compulsary and then put so many obstacles in the way, they've probably made it compulsary because no one wants to go.

[SapphireStrange]

TBH you (well, your company) lost me at 'We have a Christmas do which is pretty much compulsory. You get hounded for explanations if you don't go.'

I just wouldn't go (I don't drink, or drive, or have £90 going spare for a room in buttfuck nowheresville).

If anyone hounded me afterwards I'd tell them politely, and as many times as necessary, that for the above reasons it was not practicable for me.

[designateddriver16]

I might take a six pack of Diet Coke