Work Christmas Lunch - Truth or a Lie re. Attendence

I'm not sure any public sector jobs have anything like this.

We don't even get a hot drink provided, when we are working together. We have to take our own cup and take it in turns to provide teabags, coffee and milk.

I’m kind of confused OP. The people who have organised the lunch earn less than you do, they think that the price is fine and, presumably, can afford it.

You can definitely afford it but you just don’t want to spend it as you don’t think it’s good value for money, is that right?

Are you worried that there is a silent cohort of those earning less than the organisers who genuinely can’t afford it? (They will presumably be saying no but not admitting why)

Do you think that you saying no to the invitation, being honest about what bad value you believe it to be, will mean that this silent cohort will be taken into account when next year’s meal is organised?

If the answer to the above is no, I can’t see what would be achieved by you giving the real reason instead of making up a white lie about a diary clash.

These people that earn less are the ones who arranged it...OP can volunteer to spend time finding somewhere offering a Christmas lunch (which is always more expensive), book it and send around the invites, arrange menu ordering and deposit payments next year I'm sure if they feel that strongly.

Did you not read that OP is in the public sector? Completely different to the “big corporates” you worked for. Do you genuinely think that staff socials should be paid for by taxpayers’ money?

(this is not a sarcastic question actually- I can see that having happy teams in the civil service might well make them more efficient and effective, and less likely to jump ship to the private sector, so I reckon that building some entertainment budget into the cost of employing them is not such a ridiculous idea).

Around here that would be a cheaper main course only, no drinks or start/pudding. Nothing fancy, just the regular pub/restaurants.

I go because I like my colleagues and I like food and it's nice to get together.

If I couldn't afford it I wouldn't go.

Never lie.

I’d say.
“Thanks for the invite, I won’t be coming but hope you all have a lovely time”

that’s it.
no explanation.
no lies told.

Just say u can’t go.

When did these lunches become the cost for employees. I worked in many big corporates and it was always on the employer. Why would someone want to spend their money on forced fun.

Out of curiosity, I've looked up the national pub chain next door to me. £25 for three courses inc. roast turkey with trimmings, £5.50 for a glass of wine. Same prices down south.

I don't go to mine anymore. I don't have anyone to get the kids from school but my god I'm glad as this yr it's £60 for 3 course lunch, wtf! Also it's civil service and we all pay for our own. The managers pay for drinks though, so I feel sorry for them too.

I did mention to my mgr about the price and she too said yeah I know it's really expensive isn't it. She actually said she was wondering if she can skip food and turn up later 😂 It's a late lunch that turns into evening party. So if u want a new outfit, taxi home it's super expensive!

Last yr was £45 so it's gone up a lot for this yr!

I'm also in the public sector, some of our junior pracs have organised Christmas this year, it's £70 a head in a hotel with dinner unlimited booze and a disco, the food will be crap and it's not what I would've chosen. I'm a similar grade to you and I think it's a lot for what it is. However when I queried with the organiser early in the year they said everyone was in agreement (who earn a lot less than I do( because then the cost is fixed, he'd also set up a payment plan so lots of people have been giving him £10 a month for seven months. I'm going because whilst it's not my kind of event and I don't want to spend that kind of money on it, I really appreciate my team, they work so hard and they're fantastic and it's what they want. They like it when I go to these things, some of them I've worked with since I was at that grade. I'll also be putting my hand in my pocket the week before Christmas for a Christmas spread, crusty bread, meats, chases, fruit, cakes, biscuits etc and we'll likely play a game or two over a lunchbreak. It'll probably cost me another £100-£150. That's no budget for it. My department has some of the lowest attrition rates in our field nationally. I value them and I show them that, in these ways and in professional contexts. It goes a long way.

Where do you all live??
Just looked up a 3course festive weekday lunch at the place we all used in my old job. £17.49.
And I reckon that is expensive for a lunch.

I think it's a fairly standard price but I wouldn't necessarily pay it. Luckily I'm a fussy eater so I always have the excuse that I won't eat anything.

My interpretation was that the OP felt it was expensive so should she mention that. She acknowledged that people earn less than her within the department so I don’t think it would be a ‘big deal’ to speak up on behalf of others who may not be able to afford it.

My husband is HEO grade and there is no way in hell he'd pay £40 for a staff lunch and we can afford it. £40 is ridiculous. Where the hell are they going that it costs £40 each?

£20-25 (depending on whether you have an alcoholic drink or not) is what the 'posh' place round the corner from my husband's workplace charges and that's for 3 courses! EDIT: Just checked it's £30 but still. £40 is too much.

Tell them to find somewhere cheaper.

You used the term 'inclusive', I just asked you what you meant by it. Clearly you don't have a clue either.

Some people can spare £100. Some people can spare £50. Many people can probably ill afford £5. So there isn't really any amount that is going to be universally acceptable. Meals out are expensive now - much more so than they were pre-Covid, and they weren't cheap around Christmas time even then.

I think there's some people that are very out of touch with how much eating out costs these days. Particularly for Christmas meals where restaurants will be hoping to boost flagging profits.

I would suggest saying you are unable to attend and not mentioning the cost.

You're suggesting someone on twice the salary the organiser is on instead of just declining the invite makes a big deal about how it's not affordable and not fair? Lmao

I think you may be stuck in price brackets that you formed 10 years ago.

The most basic and probaby low quality Christmas lunch will be £30 per head now. £40 means you're a couple of rungs up the ladder and hopefully getting something nice.

£40 for two courses at a Christmas do, assuming it's not a tatty local boozer, is probably not that much. I don't mean it's not a lot to spend and lots of people have that money, i mean that's what it costs.
The fact is not that it's a lot for 2 courses, it's that you don't want to spend that much on your works do.

Be honest.

Could you say something like you believe it to be too expensive given the COL and the fact there are a range of salaries within the department? I think if your own gut feeling is it’s too much you could also say that you don’t want to price people out or seem insensitive to those that may be struggling esp at this time of year.

No one has to attend. Invariably they're arranged by members of the team rather than a coordinated department or management effort for people who want to go. OP is for some reason making a big deal of it when I would be very surprised if anyone was that bothered if they went or not (same applies to others not just OP).

It's standard that in the public sector that you have to pay your own way for socialising, but surely that comes with an understanding that the events aren't compulsory? I've never felt pressured to attend a works do, it's very normal for people to decline and not necessarily give a reason.

For many people it's not necessarily the cost of the event itself but the extras - travel costs, babysitters etc.

I'm going to a works do but only for an hour or so as I live far from work and will be getting the train home!