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

My company contributes a certain amount (£36 this year) and if we choose as a team to do something more expensive then we have to top it up.

When I worked in the private sector Christmas Parties were lavish and free, and there were always lots of client gifts and freebies.

I'm in the public sector now. We pay our own way. Ocassionally managers will treat us to a lunch (which they personally pay for) but that's very rare.

Just because you've been invited doesn't mean you're obliged to go, just politely decline.

Do you want to go? I'd probably skip this year because of not getting to know anyone yet.

We wouldn't get a Christmas do if we didn't pay for it ourselves!

The more junior staff didn’t have to pay: managers and above covered the costs, as a thank you.

I’ve never paid, really not standard in sector I’m in

Ours is £50 per head, paid for by the company.
It's a great night apparently but I won't know because nobody told me about it so I couldn't sign up and I've been scheduled to work that night. Never mind. Maybe next year....

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

Personally, yes, just as I'm happy for taxpayers' money to go on wages. However, I can understand why it's not done.

However, OP didn't specify that she works in the public sector.

I’ve never had to pay!

100% normal.
But you can say no to going.

@thedevilinablackdress

I can’t believe these comments! I have never worked somewhere where I have had to pay for myself.

You've never worked for the NHS or other public sector then

Lmao so true!

Probably depends on sector. First job was 'Big Four' - free and also got bottle of champagne as gift.
Private sector SME - was free but bought own drinks
Now public sector - have to pay ourselves

"It's a great night apparently but I won't know because nobody told me about it so I couldn't sign up and I've been scheduled to work that night"

What? There are no emails or noticeboards where you work? It's all Chinese whispers?

My sister works in the public sector and there’s is £75 per head .

@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 teach. Have never had a free party or meal out.

If we want to eat a school Christmas dinner with the children on Xmas dinner day we even have to pay for our own, let alone a nice meal out somewhere.

I used to work for Waterstones as a student. They paid for everyone's meal and wine/beer at the meal for the xmas night.

Then I started working in the public sector and had to pay for my own!

I’ve only ever had my Xmas do paid for at one particular company I worked for. We had an Xmas party at the Grand in Brighton one year, I worked in accounts and had to write a cheque for that one, it was over a million pounds. Accommodation, food, and unlimited drink for a massive software company. It was a shit party and to be honest the small ones that I’ve had to pay for myself have always been more fun

I've only ever worked in the public sector and we've always had to pay for ourselves.

It can be really difficult to organise an Xmas meal for your team. There is always someone who isn't happy with that venue and it can be difficult to find somewhere reasonably priced, as many restaurants put up prices for Christmas.

I have never had to pay - I work in the public sector!

I’m public sector and we always pay. Ours is £26.50 each this year. If you can’t afford it just say you can’t make that date as you have friends coming over and can’t rearrange.

We always have a free Xmas do AND a free bar. People have been known to leave in a wheel chair going towards an ambulance

@Affor which part roughly if public sector? I’m NHS so can imagine the outrage of tax payers funding my Christmas do… just curious why it’s felt acceptable for tax payers to fund your’s?

If you’re young and worked in creative / media generally it’s a big blow out

[quote NeedAHoliday2021]@Affor which part roughly if public sector? I’m NHS so can imagine the outrage of tax payers funding my Christmas do… just curious why it’s felt acceptable for tax payers to fund your’s?[/quote]
No idea why. I work in policy.

@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’ve always worked in the third sector or public sector. Not sure the public would be happy thinking that they should pay for our Christmas nights out. I think it depends what you work as - I would always expect to foot the bill, and I just don’t go if I can’t afford it.