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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To book our staff Christmas dinner on a Saturday

169 replies

Ricekrispie22 · 04/09/2019 05:58

Every year it’s always been on a weekday, but I’m exhausted when I get home from work and haven’t enjoyed them very much. This year, it’s my turn to book and organise it. I’d like to choose a Saturday evening, but not sure whether other staff would rather not do work events at the weekend.

OP posts:
8by8 · 04/09/2019 05:59

There’s no way I would go to a weekend event.

Rezie · 04/09/2019 06:03

I guess as long as it's not mandatory and people can opt out. A lot of people are not gonna be happy about Saturday.

Of course it depends on your co-workers and how much you spend time together outside work to know if they are ok with it. Could you ask if they would be ok with Saturday?

MotherTime3 · 04/09/2019 06:04

Ours would always be on a weekend, but we like each other, and love a rare opportunity to get together.
I think asking your colleagues their opinions would be more reliable than strangers on the internet who aren’t invited though

Hederex · 04/09/2019 06:05

I would ask.

spanglydangly · 04/09/2019 06:06

I think you'd have to maybe ask for opinions, you don't want it to be a disaster with no one attending. If it's not mandatory then a few drop out and a domino effect happens and lots drop out.

TBH I'd rather a weekday for a work party, I'm always so busy at the weekends particularly on the run up to Christmas.

ReasonedCamper · 04/09/2019 06:13

You need to survey your colleagues.

AwkwardSquad · 04/09/2019 06:15

There is not a snowball’s chance in hell that I’d go to a work event at a weekend.

araiwa · 04/09/2019 06:15

Why would you ask MN this question and not the actual people going??

araiwa · 04/09/2019 06:16

Paticularly as everyone on mn hates work xmas parties anyway

Chupchup · 04/09/2019 06:17

We used to hate the Thursday night Xmas party, having to go in to work the next tired and hungover, so we changed it one year to a Saturday night and hardly anyone came. Apparently people don't like to give up their own time for work things.

WatchingTheMoon · 04/09/2019 06:26

I would never go to a work thing on a Saturday.

Toddlerteaplease · 04/09/2019 06:27

Ours is a Sunday night. It's cheaper!

Toddlerteaplease · 04/09/2019 06:28

We all work shots though so it doesn't matter. We just request the next day off.

ClashCityRocker · 04/09/2019 06:30

I probably wouldn't give up a Saturday night for a works do, especially at that time of year that tends to be busy.

reluctantbrit · 04/09/2019 06:33

We alternate for a long time and did a Saturday do with partners. Attendance was down by around 50%.

People have better things to do than cutting a day short to go somewhere. Due to DD I already have booked 2 out of 4 Saturdays with her end of term activities, we have plans for three evenings with family and friends.

The same was btw for all weekend activities our employer offered, most people attending were childless and single.

twofingerstoEverything · 04/09/2019 06:33

Wouldn't go to a work thing on a Saturday. Why would I commute in (work in a different city) to eat dinner with colleagues, not drink because driving, and then have a 30 mile drive home? I'm on a very fixed income and this would push the price up hugely, too.

Do a weekday lunch thing instead. That's what we do at work.

MaggietheHorseThief · 04/09/2019 06:33

I think you need to ask your colleagues. I would never go to a work party on a Saturday night (even though I really like my colleagues!), so I fear it would badly affect attendance. Especially at Christmas, when everyone is so busy and weekends fill up weeks in advance.

You can do it as a doodle poll asking people to choose between a Friday and a Saturday so people don't have to feel awkward about responding to you directly. And don't frame it as something you would prefer, or people will feel guilted into saying it's ok when they don't really want to.

PositiveVibez · 04/09/2019 06:33

I would never go a works do at the weekend. Its not that I don't like my colleagues, but usually weekends leading up to Christmas are taken up with family and friend get togethers, panto's etc.

Considering there are only really 3 'usable' Saturdays in December, my works do would certainly not be the priority.

BikeRunSki · 04/09/2019 06:34

There is not a snowball’s chance in hell that I’d go to a work event at a weekend

Not much of a Christmas treat for people who have to pay for a babysitter.

Could you do it at lunchtime? We do this, lots of people then stay out into the evening.

reluctantbrit · 04/09/2019 06:34

I forgot, it didn’t even matter that the whole thing is paid fully by the employer, the most I have to pay is a cab back.

Everyone knows that people are tired and hangover the next day including the management. It is not a big deal.

Lazypuppy · 04/09/2019 06:34

The best thing about the xmas party is you get the afternoon off work so i'd be annoyed if it was on a weekend and wouldn't go

FenellaMaxwell · 04/09/2019 06:34

No chance. I like my colleagues, I do, but I’m not giving up my weekend!

kittlesticks · 04/09/2019 06:35

At my work place it wouldn't make sense as we usually do a Xmas event type thing on the afternoon of the party, mince pies and secret Santa or something then everyone is in the mood for a party in the evening. Nobody would want a Saturday event.

madeyemoodysmum · 04/09/2019 06:36

Depends on the team. I personally would not want to give up a busy pre Xmas weekend for a work so unless I loved my team like good friends.

Bagadverts · 04/09/2019 06:36

As pp said ask your colleagues. I’d not be keen personally as in a choir so quite probably would be in a concert or attending another non work event. Could you make it earlier so straight after work?

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