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

@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.

Working in the public sector we're not allowed to spend taxpayers money on our Christmas party!

I’ve never had to pay. My old company put on the whole event free of charge. My current one Oates for everyone’s meals and drinks during the meal, but then we pay at the bar for any more drinks after.
That does sound very steep. Don’t feel obliged to go OP. But then I bloody hate work Christmas parties

My current company which which I joined this year charges for Christmas lunches. However with all my previous companies I never had to pay for the main meal or first couple drinks. Some had a department lunch or dinner plus a whole company party.

It was a shock; after I accepted the invitation; to receive an email with the menu options and a PayPal link for the payment 😂

No I’ve never ever paid. Nor would I. Why on earth would I pay to spend time with my colleagues ? That’s work.

Years ago, my store manager gave us all ONE celebration from a tin at home time on Christmas Eve. It was a big store with extra seasonal staff and by the time I got out the door there were no sweets left. Still annoys me
I am jealous of those with paid Christmas parties. I now work for the NHS and our perk is usually a flu jab.
But don't go if you can't afford it. You will end up spending even more once you are there.

No we've never had to pay for our Christmas meals/ parties.

They are very extravagant, and formal. They are not drunken knees ups. You are encouraged to attend with your spouse/ partner.
We get lovely presents too.

It makes a lovely start to the Christmas break.

NHS... have to pay obviously otherwise the tax payer would be.

I started a new job this year. Christmas do is £59.. so deined.

Depends where you work. I used to work for a pharmaceutical company and we always got ours paid for, including free bar. Now my main job is NHS so we arrange and pay for our own but I have a part time job in the private sector and even though I only do 1 or 2 days a month for them we get our Christmas party paid for and depending where it is (national company) sometimes overnight accommodation too.

I’ve never worked anywhere where I’ve had to pay towards the Christmas party/meal

I’ve worked for tiny companies and massive ones. Always either a free dinner at nice restaurant with free drinks after or a full on extravagant themed party with free food drink and entertainment

It doesn’t necessarily make me want to go anymore though

No, never really had to pay for Christmas meal or party, but never worked for nhs or public sector either. Currently working for a very small company and our boss still pays for a team event at Xmas

As an employer, we have never asked staff to pay. A party or lunch is on us.

Always paid in public sector.

Haven't been for years though, CBA any more. I love Christmas but work Christmas parties are a bore.

“Sorry it clashes with partners Xmas work do” is however an excuse I’ve used before in order to get out of an evening do

Yes we pay

Should say though that the company doesn’t lay on a Christmas do we have to pay to attend- each team arranges their own Christmas meal and pub crawl.

I'm shocked that so many people are shocked at having to pay for yourself.

Would you really expect and be happy for taxpayers' money to pay for thousands of meals out?!

Though saying that, I have worked at certain public sector organisations where they put on an event for the staff, which is marketed as being a corporate event in the line of business but is actually a Christmas do...

Team/department meals out have always however been pay for yourself.. In a lot of cases, the manager will buy the drinks though.

I’ve never had to pay for a work Christmas party. Sometimes I’ve had to pay if I take a partner, but never for myself. It’s bad enough having to give up my free time without having to pay for the privilege!

Public sector yes but those I know who work in private sector have always been paid for.

I've never had to pay for a Christmas do!

There is no “one answer”. I work for a global private company and we even get our flights and accommodation paid to/ at the chosen country/ venue. My boyfriend is public sector and they have to organise and pay for their own if they want one.

I'm on a low income and had to fork out this for the Xmas party. I'm usually Ill every year throughout the winter so end up losing the money as I can't make it. I was particularly angry this year as I was duped into thinking it was a special deal of £25 only to be told 'oh it's actually £48!!" Great thanks I'm sure I was only persuaded into going to make up the numbers. I hate xmas parties! Same shit, different year!

@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

Paid exactly that for mine this Saturday evening. I have always paid for my Xmas do!

I thought only public sector made you pay. Possibly also some small charities, but a private company should pay for it.

I never go. I'm always "busy that day". I could spend that kind of money on an extra gift