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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:
MouthyHarpy · 04/09/2019 06:38

I’m usually so busy in the run up to Christmas that I wouldn’t go. Saturdays are precious - my favourite day of the week.

adaline · 04/09/2019 06:39

We do ours on a weekend but we're a shop that open seven days a week so we're never all going to have the same days off. We also can't close early for it either!

However if I worked 9-5 there's no way I'd go at a weekend. I live an hours drive from work as it is - no way would I be doing that on a day off!

LellyMcKelly · 04/09/2019 06:40

We have things going on most weekends in December so I’d probably give it a miss. If you want good numbers make it easy for people to attend.

Scratchyfluffface · 04/09/2019 06:40

You could book it, but you might get a lot of people that don't come - particularly in December where there is a lot of social engagements that people often prioritise over work

RednaxelasPony · 04/09/2019 06:41

YABVU. People have lives. I spend time with my colleagues because I'm paid to. The people I enjoy spending precious time for free with are those I have chosen!

AJPTaylor · 04/09/2019 06:42

Do an Xmas Lunch instead. Seriously, it works. If you work Mon to Fri then try for a fri lunchtime. People get merry but not pissed.the kids see it as warming up for Friday night out, everyone else sees it as a pleasant thing.
But equally remember it's a thankless task.

MaybeitsMaybelline · 04/09/2019 06:43

I wouldn’t go. Sorry but Christmas events are bad enough without giving up a Saturday night to spend with people you spend all week with.

Fortunately I WFH, so our Christmas events are usually mid week, mid afternoon in work time. I can just about manage that.

Original poster
Ricekrispie22 · 04/09/2019 06:43

We’re teachers, so couldn’t have it at a lunchtime! Thanks for the opinions

OP posts:
AdoreTheBeach · 04/09/2019 06:43

I have been to weekend work Xmas events when it includes spouse/partner and was also at a fantastic venue. These most everyone wanted to go to.

If it were Weekend but no spouse/partner - would not go. If with spouse/partner but at a venue that was nothing special, no would not go.

But in your instance, it’s the norm for it to be a week night, so I think you already know that’s what has been the consensus and / or expectation.

DonPablo · 04/09/2019 06:44

When I worked full time there is no way I'd go on a Saturday. I now work part time and would go, because my weekends aren't so precious and I'm not sick to death of the sight of my colleagues.

HotChocolateLover · 04/09/2019 06:45

I would do a doodle poll for potential dates.

maddiemookins16mum · 04/09/2019 06:47

Ask them. You may find that they’ll feel just like you.
But keep in mind on MN most people barely tolerate their colleagues.

BlackCatSleeping · 04/09/2019 06:49

It's impossible to say what your co-workers would think of this.

I think you need to ask them, but from experience people are quite resistant to change.

MarinaMarinara · 04/09/2019 06:50

You haven’t booked it already?! It’s September! Unless you’re talking really small numbers I think you need to get booking this week as I would be very concerned that many of the decent places will be booked by now. Ours was booked back in June, which it is most years.

Mind you, if you do go for a Saturday I suspect you’ll find you are down to very small numbers so I guess then you have more time to book? I like my colleagues a lot, but I would not be attending a Saturday work Christmas party. It isn’t about preferring work events to be during the week so much as that I already know what I am doing every Saturday evening in December, there isn’t one free. That, as far as I can tell, is absolutely normal for most people I know. We always have our work do the last Friday before Christmas - that works really well. Usually starts about 7. Many of us go straight from the office, which works fine (those who manage to finish earlier still tend to get ready in the office and just go via the pub).

Paddington68 · 04/09/2019 06:51

We have ours in January. So much cheaper.

AlwaysCheddar · 04/09/2019 06:51

Nope, I would not go to a Saturday work do

Pikapikachooo · 04/09/2019 06:51

No ! The whole point is (a) it’s free and (b) a chance to skive work
I would not attend a weekend

JingsMahBucket · 04/09/2019 06:54

Use a Doodle.com poll or a Google Form to do a survey of your colleagues. And even then, some people will still lie. 🙄

Can you hold I on a Friday afternoon @Ricekrispie22 ? Whenever it is, you need to make your decision soon because restaurant and venue slots will fill up quickly.

Squirrelblanket · 04/09/2019 06:55

I wouldn't go, I don't even like work stuff being on Friday nights as I consider that part of the weekend and often have my own plans on Fridays, especially in the run up to Christmas.

Ask your colleagues.

Bridget1983 · 04/09/2019 06:55

Friday straight from work finishing? If it’s that kinda place people can start getting ready in the office etc or just come to work fairly ready for the do.
In my previous profession Christmas do’s were always last Saturday before Christmas, never went to them

Sedlescombe · 04/09/2019 06:56

It’s a work thing and should be on a work day

Bridget1983 · 04/09/2019 06:56

And maybe like the 2nd Friday in December not mad Friday!

Loveislandaddict · 04/09/2019 06:57

Our do is always on a Saturday!

AwkwardSquad · 04/09/2019 06:57

No ! The whole point is (a) it’s free and (b) a chance to skive work

We have to pay for ours. Which is completely reasonable and I have no issue with that, but it needs to be at minimum inconvenience to me. Weekday lunchtime seems to work for most of us.

LolaSmiles · 04/09/2019 06:57

I wouldn't go to a Saturday work do unless I worked somewhere where there were people at work on Saturdays be we all had staggered days off (so someone would always be coming on their day off).

I like my colleagues but I'm busy in the run up to Christmas and struggle to see friends from out of work properly without using weekend time to see people I see every day