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AIBU?

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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:
CherryPavlova · 04/09/2019 08:13

No, I really like my team but I don’t think many of us would want to do a Saturday pre-Christmas. Could you do a Friday so at least it wasn’t the whole weekend?

expatinspain · 04/09/2019 08:14

Surely Friday after school would be better?

1stmonkey · 04/09/2019 08:14

I wouldn't give up a saturday day/night near xmas for a work do... enough to fit in with family and friends at that time of year already.

Whattodo20192 · 04/09/2019 08:14

Send out an email with a vote option

MargotsFlounceyBlouse · 04/09/2019 08:15

Nooo people will have family commitments close to Christmas. Has to be weekday for work!

KatherineJaneway · 04/09/2019 08:16

No way would I go to a weekend event. Go straight after school closes on a Friday.

Abouttimemum · 04/09/2019 08:19

I love my work colleagues and we socialise all the time, but I spend all week with them and the weekend is for family, and other friends. Big dos are always a Friday night.
That said, people don’t have to go - and you might find others feel the same as you.
Why don’t you just ask?
For Xmas, We always send round a list of dates and we mark the ones we can do (as there’s inevitably someone who can’t attend on any chosen date!)

ThomasRichard · 04/09/2019 08:19

We do a weekday lunch. Then it’s on work’s time and there are no issues with childcare, commuting, tiredness, CBA-ness and so on. It also keeps the drinks bill right down Wink

Tonnerre · 04/09/2019 08:21

Giving up a Saturday night in December for a work do is just not going to happen.

TheCraicDealer · 04/09/2019 08:21

The teachers I've known have had theirs the afternoon that the schools knock off for the Christmas break, same every year so booked pretty much as soon as the holidays are announced. Then whoever wants to stay out does and whoever wants to leave after the meal can.

I've organised the Xmas do the last few years and The first year someone suggested we ask people what they thought of a Saturday- it was a resounding "no"! So it's remained a Friday, just means we have to be organised with getting something booked. We have plenty of industry events midweek around that time, but I would hate a midweek Christmas party with the prospect of having to get up and commute into work the next morning.

PuppyMonkey · 04/09/2019 08:24

Baffled by this, don't really see what's so very different about giving up a Saturday evening to go out with work colleagues and giving up a Friday evening to go out with colleagues (as lots here are suggesting Friday as a better alternative). Confused

(you can watch Strictly on catch up the next day).

Myimaginarycathasfleas · 04/09/2019 08:26

I'd have a staff room buffet for Christmas itself and then a going out meal in January when it's cheaper and people have recovered from Christmas overload. Unless you're all best mates and family I wouldn't want to sacrifice a Saturday for a work do, especially in the run up to Christmas.

dottiedodah · 04/09/2019 08:26

We have been to a couple of work events on a Saturday ,but have been able to stay overnight (Paid for by DH company)!.My son always has his on W/E as well.Maybe do a straw poll and see what everyone thinks?.Maybe do it early on around mid /late November perhaps?

crochetmonkey74 · 04/09/2019 08:31

No, I'm a teacher and enjoys socials/ get on well with colleagues but a Saturday for a work do is not something I would go to.
Especially not before Christmas- weekends are booked up loads then- what about an in school bring and share Christmas buffet (recreate Boxing Day buffet at school)

MollyButton · 04/09/2019 08:46

If you are teachers - then don't you finish midday on the last day? Most schools I know have their do after that early finish (and do the tidying up the next day with hangovers if necessary).

Tonnerre · 04/09/2019 08:50

Baffled by this, don't really see what's so very different about giving up a Saturday evening to go out with work colleagues and giving up a Friday evening to go out with colleagues (as lots here are suggesting Friday as a better alternative).

Friday evening: I'm in the office anyway, it's normally a matter of just schlepping out to whichever nearby restaurant or club has been booked. Saturday evening: I've got to commute to wherever the venue is to see people I see all week. Plus, in December, there's a much greater chance that I'll have other options on Saturday evenings. The chances of my getting to the office do on a Saturday are, at best, 50/50, but around 90/10 if it's a weekday.

bumblingbovine49 · 04/09/2019 08:51

I would NEVER go on a Saturday. Sorry that is my home time

Unreasonable123 · 04/09/2019 08:59

Ours is always on a sat night

vanillaicedtea · 04/09/2019 09:00

Suggest a Friday. At least then you'd have the day off afterwards (I presume you work Mon-Fri). I also wouldn't go on a Saturday. The only work do I went to on a weekend was on a Sunday night when I worked in a nightclub and I was 22 and had few responsibilities. We had a day off the next day and obviously a lot of my work mates were my mates outside of work due to the nature of the work. I wouldn't do it now.

IdblowJonSnow · 04/09/2019 09:02

Agree with survey your colleagues.
I also don't like going out on a Friday night as too tired. Would prefer a Saturday. But I'm in the minority I know.

Doubletrouble99 · 04/09/2019 09:03

I always organised work dos on a Friday night then you have the weekend to recover.

PanamaPattie · 04/09/2019 09:11

How about a Friday night in January when all the Christmas rush is over. It will be easier to book and probably cheaper. You might enjoy it more.

RezCowgirl · 04/09/2019 09:23

A quick drink after work on a Friday is about as much as I would do unless its a lunch during work hours. I certainly wouldn't go on a Saturday.

Jeezoh · 04/09/2019 09:25

Nope, not a chance I’d go on a weekend. But puzzled why you wouldn’t just ask your colleagues Hmm

timshelthechoice · 04/09/2019 09:59

Friday after work, but not a Saturday.

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