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Original poster

Christmas works do is in the middle of the working day, but I don't want to go

44 replies

notagrinch · 14/11/2021 11:19

My work has rented out a venue and we are having a sit down dinner and party from 12pm onwards, so during the middle of the working day. I think it's 150-200 people.

I don't want to go for several reasons, one of which is COVID, but is it normal for the works do to be during the middle of the day? I feel like I have no option but to go. If it was in the evening it would be easier to decline but when it's during the working day it's a bit hard to get out of.

OP posts:
FortunesFave · 14/11/2021 11:24

Oh I sympathise. Can you book the day off and say it's a family event that day? That's what I'm doing! I do NOT want to be part of the bloody Secret Santa OR drink crap wine and be jolly thanks.

InFiveMins · 14/11/2021 11:28

Just go and then make your excuses and leave at the time you'd usually finish work.

InFiveMins · 14/11/2021 11:29

And yes I've known several companies have their Christmas party during the working day.

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Events & celebrations
Chatwin · 14/11/2021 11:31

Yes I've been to several. Those who didn't want to go to the lunch had to book a half day off work. I think with Covid it's a perfect excuse not to want to go. Or just stick it out for the meal and slope off. With 150+ people there I doubt anyone would notice.

ArblemarchTFruitbat · 14/11/2021 11:34

Can't you offer to 'hold the fort' and just stay at work as normal?

ineedsun · 14/11/2021 11:36

I’m not going to ours. I have appointments. Don’t you have any appointments at that time that you can’t change?

ShowOfHands · 14/11/2021 11:39

I work somewhere where it's my responsibility to organise the Christmas thing and it's always from lunchtime AND we do Secret Santa. Because that is always the majority preference when I canvas opinions.

What would be marvellous is if people who don't want to come just said so. It saves me a lot of hassle in mid November if they can say it then instead of griping and taking time to come up with excuses.

Just say no thank you if you don't want to go.

Iamhaunted · 14/11/2021 11:39

Just be honest and say you don’t want to go, and happy to take a days annual leave if no work can be provided.

I just organised a long lunch, paid for, and some people didn’t want to come due to covid, fine they worked instead

NeverDropYourMooncup · 14/11/2021 13:07

Either be paid to do your job whilst they're all at the do and you're manning the phones, or be paid to go to the do and not have to work whilst somebody else mans the phones.

Seems fair enough.

Missmissmiiiiiiiiisss · 14/11/2021 13:12

You could try to get out of it (any excuse will be completely obvious though) but they can make you go. They don’t have to sign off on holiday. In my organisation, it would be viewed very very badly and likely you’d just to be told tough luck.

Underbox · 14/11/2021 13:29

I'd just go along for the food, network a bit and then disappear. If there's 150-200 people there, they won't notice one person leaving!

whereisthekey · 14/11/2021 13:31

we aren't allowed to miss our work Xmas do (work hours) they put a ban on anyone requesting holidays for that day too.

Werehamster · 14/11/2021 13:31

@Missmissmiiiiiiiiisss

You could try to get out of it (any excuse will be completely obvious though) but they can make you go. They don’t have to sign off on holiday. In my organisation, it would be viewed very very badly and likely you’d just to be told tough luck.
Seriously!? I am really shocked that they can make employees attend things like this.

It isn't my cup of tea either. I'd definitely just book a day off work.

ineedsun · 14/11/2021 13:53

What happens if you don’t celebrate Christmas?

SushiGo · 14/11/2021 14:13

@ShowOfHands

I work somewhere where it's my responsibility to organise the Christmas thing and it's always from lunchtime AND we do Secret Santa. Because that is always the majority preference when I canvas opinions.

What would be marvellous is if people who don't want to come just said so. It saves me a lot of hassle in mid November if they can say it then instead of griping and taking time to come up with excuses.

Just say no thank you if you don't want to go.

Agreed!

We've moved to a daytime event this year because that's what most people wanted. If you don't want to go, just be honest and book the time as holiday or offer to stay in the office instead.

MalbecandToast · 14/11/2021 14:18

Oh god I hate the forced fun of work functions and avoid them at all costs! Either stay at work or take annual leave.

NadiaVulvokov · 14/11/2021 14:22

Not normal but not unusual either. It’s often either because people complained about having to go to one not in work time, due either to childcare or difficulty travelling home late. Or just not wanting personal time to be encroached on by work.

I don’t think anyone e reasonable would mind if you called off due to Covid concerns this year though/

Jumbojem · 14/11/2021 14:23

How can work places force people to go? Ours is always optional and we have team members who don't attend as they don't go to places where alcohol is served for religious reasons and are obv not Christian/celebrating Christmas.

WildExcuses · 14/11/2021 14:24

With how things are with covid, I think saying you’re not comfortable in a room with 200 people is perfectly reasonable, if you don’t want to be. I bet you’re not the only one who won’t be going due to covid, never mind other reasons.

Please yourself not others.

whereisthekey · 14/11/2021 14:27

@Jumbojem because its during the working day and for team building. so it's seen as part of the job.

cowburp · 14/11/2021 14:28

I prefer it in the working day. Then I don't have to give up my own time to go.

Yogaandcocoa · 14/11/2021 14:30

You do have an option. Just say no. You may have to stay at work though.

FinallyHere · 14/11/2021 14:44

Is there any chance you could volunteer to 'cover the phones' at work so everyone else can enjoy themselves.

This work for me, for years. Makes me really popular, too

Just make sure you know what to do if someone does need a response beyond, sooty all out til tomorrow.

BendingSpoons · 14/11/2021 14:47

Ours is always daytime, although we aren't having one this year. There are 2 staff members who don't come. We have to pay for ourselves, so this may be an added reason. I only recently realised and it's fair enough. They stay in the office and work as usual.

ilovesooty · 14/11/2021 15:30

@whereisthekey

we aren't allowed to miss our work Xmas do (work hours) they put a ban on anyone requesting holidays for that day too.
Not Christmas but my company had an annual away day and unless you'd previously had leave authorised you weren't allowed to miss it. I imagine that you will be in that position.