Have just been asked to pay £45 for Xmas do

[youllneedthisfish]

Aibu to think that you shouldn’t have to pay for your own Christmas party/meal? Have just been asked for £45 for the Christmas do at the job I’ve just started (in an office) - it’s this usual? Can’t afford and embarrassed to say no

I've always had to pay but because I've always worked in Local Government. One boss did buy a few bottles of wine to share which was nice. If it was too expensive or 'not my cup of tea' then I, and others , wouldn't sign up for it. (One school I worked in had a huge mass meal in a barn with dancing etc and was expensive so I didn't go). If you are paying then it is surely a choice thing as to whether you go or not?

I don't know if this still applies but in the years I was working, a Xmas party was taxed as a benefit if it totalled more than a certain amount per person! I hated them anyway (the parties).

@ShirleyPhallus

I can’t believe these comments! I have never worked somewhere where I have had to pay for myself. I think if the company organises it and invites everyone they should pay. If your team sec organises it just for your direct team then that I’d expect to pay for. Most senior manager present should ALWAYS put their hand in their pocket (first round and more frequent than everyone else /wine for the tablet etc) or look like a massive tight wad.

"I think if the company organises it and invites everyone they should pay." So you'd be happy for your taxes to go towards Christmas nights out for all NHS staff, paramedics, police officers, local government staff, fire officers, call handlers, civil service workers, etc. etc. Because that's our "company."

I've been lucky in that senior management have usually bought everyone a drink at a christmas party before in most of my previous roles, but wouldn't expect more than that.

@Joesmummy1 our school governors used to provide tea/coffee termly to staff. They stopped about 5 years ago and now people buy their own.
I don’t drink hot drinks so never benefitted from this but it was a nice gesture from them. I remember there being a huge uproar when there were no teabags in the staffroom, utter panic!
Our headteacher doesn’t even write us a Christmas card
And yes, public sector so of course expectation is that we would pay for our own Christmas night out (although as I said somewhere upthread, I decline the invites to ours, it’s crap!).

I think Christmas party is a tax deductible for the company ...

I've never worked anywhere where I've had to pay for a work party.

I can't remember the last job I had where I paid. That's assuming there was one!

Where I work now (corporate, private sector) we usually have a party for everyone in that location plus a long, boozy lunch with the function.

The calibre of venue/restaurant has probably differed with each company (I've had a fair few jobs).

£45 is a lot to expect someone to pay. I know it's possible to opt out but the company should be promoting inclusion and encouraging networking/relationship building.

It's common to pay, but just say no (claim to be busy if needed)

I’m so surprised by all the people saying of course you pay - wish people had said what industries they’re in because that’s so interesting. I’ve worked in law for 15 years and never paid for a Christmas do, same for DH in TV production. When I worked in retail I remember getting a free Christmas do, but that was before I went to uni so nearly 20 years ago.

NHS and always had to pay. Usually upwards of £40 for the meal. I haven't been in years as most colleagues are in the east and I live in the west where it would cost me just as much in train and taxi fares to get there on top of the meal. No thanks.

@elizzza

I've always paid. Media company years ago did free wine and pizza in the office, not really a "do" then since then ive worked in not for profit. My boss is treating me this year (lunch not a party) but it's out of her pocket.

Dp's company pays, including partners - but not having one this year because they are concerned about covid, I'm looking into gifts in lieu as a surprise (he's the boss)

I totally understand why you’re miffed - but I’ve always paid, too. It just feels a bit shit and like a lack of appreciation if it’s coming from larger corporate businesses, but smaller businesses I do understand.

They guy who runs Home Bargains (local to me in Liverpool) is phenomenal with his staff up here - I don’t know what the script is around the country but my friend works there and I’ve been invited on every Christmas night out - completely free and not just something little and insignificant - lavish meal at one of the best hotels in Liverpool - all inc. often including a carol service in the cathedral beforehand if one is on. He also has an annual family weekend/party - I’ve been to one at a farm up here that is a relatively expensive day out normally - all food and drink included, complete with free helicopter rides in his helicopter. He also has a villa in Portugal that staff stay in for free (friend has been twice - I didn’t go as I was pregnant) and apparently he’s renovating or renovated two Volkswagen campers for free hire, too.

All goes through as taxable expenses - his logic is why give it to the tax man when he can give something back to his staff? I’m not sure what is inclusive to store workers as she’s in head office but always says it’s a great company to work for. Baffles me why large companies like this don’t do similar or at least buy their staff a meal for Christmas and file it as a deductible.

@elizzza
I work in TV production, and while we would usually have a few drinks bought for us by the company and perhaps some nibbles, there would not be a meal. And due to covid, there was nothing last year and there will be nothing this year. It would always be in the evening, in your own time, too.

Even when I worked in banking we paid a contribution (it was nowhere near the whole cost of the do though). I'm NHS now and we pay for it.

In dh's previous working life we had some right royal knees ups with 5 star hotel accommodation (one place where the bathroom was larger than the downstairs of our house!) and didn't pay a penny. Totally depends on the organisation.

I've never worked anywhere where the main company do is not paid for. Or ExP's or DH's company do's.

Most have some limit on the number of drinks but that's more about H&S than costs.

I guess things are done differently in different places.

I have always paid for the Xmas do wherever I have worked in the UK. I now live elsewhere and it's the standard that Xmas DOs are paid for. Perhaps it's a cultural thing but it's definitely fairly standard to pay

In my last job in the 3rd sector, our chief exec paid our Xmas meal out of her pocket. On the night it looked like the org paid it, but she paid the amount back in January. She also gave everyone a present from the org, but paid back the amount spent. I was the only one who knew as I did the books.

In other places there was a choice of a Xmas lunch in the main office - sandwiches etc from M&S and cheap wine/beer from Lidl; or a night out to a fancy restaurant where everyone paid at least 2/3rds of their share. Alcohol was never bought only soft drinks. Choice whether or not you attended. No shame if you didn't. Sometimes I did, most of the time I didn't and a group of us would do something in January when prices went back to normal. They can't force you to go and they can't force you to pay. Your choice...

@FrangipaniBlue

Every public sector organisation I've worked for I've had to pay for my own.

Every private sector organisation I've worked for the company has organised and paid for the Christmas party.

Exactly my experience. I've also worked in organisations that are neither and then it's something in the middle.

Looks as if the tax deductible amount is currently £150 per head.

https://www.gov.uk/expenses-benefits-social-functions-parties/whats-exempt

It makes sense that this would vary by industry, I'm in Media/Technology, DH in Aerospace

I’ve works for companies that put on amazing extravagant Christmas dos with free bars and food and I haven’t had to spend a penny, I’ve also worked for companies that pay a portion of the cost and compiles where I’ve had to pay everything myself. Totally depends on the company. If u dont want to pay don’t go. If you want to go then pay.

When I worked in the private sector I never had to pay for Christmas parties, all were fully paid for.
However since being in the public sector all have had to be paid for ourselves. I don't bother going anyway as I'm not keen. Most of my colleagues are young enough to be my children so feels like babysitting tbh.

Always paid for works Christmas do’s although DH gets his paid for by the company he works for! Totally dependent upon where and who u work for I guess! If u can’t afford just be honest!

We've always had to pay. And it's always shit - shit food and you're sharing a room with people from other places of work. I always say no now. No reason needed. Although I'm happy to say it's because I don't want to go

I’ve never had to pay for the works Xmas do. But then I always try to get out of them anyway. Just say you’ve something else booked that day.

That’s quite reasonable. Mine is 60!