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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:
BearRabbitPants · 04/09/2019 10:04

I can't imagine NOT having the Xmas do on a weekend ?! Confused Why would anyone want to go on a week day eve knowing you have work the next day ? There'd be an uproar if we organised ours for a weekday and I think the majority wouldn't attend! And there's not a chance in hell that I'd use my precious annual leave so I could nurse a hangover the next day!
Weird !

cccameron · 04/09/2019 10:07

Weeknight events are hideous. Everyone hungover to fuck having to get into work the next day. I've worked for numerous companies and all Xmas nights out have been on a Friday night, straight from work thank god.

reluctantbrit · 04/09/2019 10:52

Friday evening means going straight after work. Saturday means cutting short whatever we do in order for me to get ready and commute back into town. Or letting DH and DD do their own thing and I miss out fully.

We did once a November do, attendance was good but it didn't feel very festive.

We also tried January, again, lots came but it is more a party than a Christmas do.

So back to Thursdays in December.

OP - I once tried to book a table for 4 on a Friday in December, 8 out of 10 venues I phoned in October were already fully booked. You are running late anyway.

RavenLG · 04/09/2019 11:11

Friday after work would be my preferred option but your colleagues are the only people that can answer this one for you tbh.

Email a doodle poll around with dates to get an idea of when is best

lavenderbluedilly · 04/09/2019 11:14

I’d go on a Friday but definitely not a Saturday. December weekends are simply too busy, and I think it’s a big ask to expect colleagues to spend time together on a non-work day. In my last job we closed the business at lunchtime on a Friday and went out for a boozy lunch. Those who wanted to stay out for the rest of the night were able to, and those who didn’t fancy it were able to go home at tea-time as usual.

MissB83 · 04/09/2019 11:30

God no. Friday night at a push but weekends are for my son not my colleagues- sorry!

coffeeandaciggie · 04/09/2019 11:36

What about a lunchtime do? (Sorry if already suggested, I haven't read the full thread).
Afternoon off work and no eating into personal time ( no pun intended).

coffeeandaciggie · 04/09/2019 11:39

Sorry, just saw you're a teacher.
DS always leaves at lunchtime on the last day though. Could your do coincide?

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 04/09/2019 12:05

Sorry but a big no from me; weekends are for family and personal time; especially at that time of year. Go for Friday night instead at a push.

EdersonsSmileyTattoo · 04/09/2019 12:12

I wouldn’t go to anything work related over a weekend. My weekends are for my and my family.

Celebelly · 04/09/2019 12:15

Ours was always on a Sat! Start at about 1pm with lunch and end at club throwing out time Grin But we all liked each other and often had random nights out at weekends through year.

Celebelly · 04/09/2019 12:18

Also the work paid-for party was always a Sat night and v well attended. We usually had our own team lunch and then pub for a few drinks before heading to the bigger company do for free drinks. The other teams generally did the same.

SlothMama · 04/09/2019 12:27

Why not just ask your colleagues and see what the majority want?

DungeonDweller · 04/09/2019 12:33

I wouldn't go. Neither would most colleagues.

It depends on your industry though. And workplace culture.

Stuffy accounting firm Vs locally owned 24hr taxi company? Wildly different norms there.

Scotinoz · 04/09/2019 12:35

Just no. I'm not paid to work on a weekend, so to hell with going to a Christmas do on a weekend.

In my industry, 'Christmas do' means bacon sarnie, drinks, lunch, drinks, drinks, quiet day next day in office

sorrythisusernameistaken · 04/09/2019 12:40

I would do it for a Friday tbh. I'd still go to a Saturday but that's only cos I like my colleagues

RosesAndRaindrops · 04/09/2019 12:43

I'd have gone on a Friday, as it'd mean I was already at work. On a Saturday not so much as it'd mean commuting back in and more of a faff.

thecatsthecats · 04/09/2019 12:50

TBH, my feeling when you say you're 'too tired' for the staff do, I sort of think, 'so what'? What do you do that demands so much energy?

You give your all in the week (and often the weekend I imagine as a teacher), and you want to recover a bit of that energy to expend on the people you see all week on a Saturday?

Rather you than me.

PuppyMonkey · 04/09/2019 13:08

Nah, I don’t like the thought of going “straight after work on a Friday” at all. I want to get dressed up nice for the Christmas do, not go in my boring office clothes or have to get changed in the staff toilets.

Saturday all the way for me.Grin

UniversalAunt · 04/09/2019 13:14

‘We have ours in January. So much cheaper.’
Combined with an already scheduled pre-term staff meeting?

Great start to a New Year.

3luckystars · 04/09/2019 13:23

Have it on a Friday. Take a day's annual leave before it if you are too exhausted and really want to go.

No way would anyone go on a Saturday!

inwood · 04/09/2019 13:27

Not a chance. I quite like my colleagues bot no, saturdays are for home.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 04/09/2019 13:29

no way - and no way would i pay towards one either
Its a dinner on a thursday, home by 10..in late the next day!

Bobismyfriend · 04/09/2019 13:54

I work in a school and we always do a Friday night. Most people go. If it was a Saturday I might not be so inclined to go cos then I would miss Strictly!

MinesaPinot · 04/09/2019 14:00

No way would I go to a work event at a weekend unless it was compulsory.

Our department Christmas party is usually the last Thursday before Christmas - we were all so hung over last year that our head of department sent an email at lunchtime saying if everything was done, and fee earners etc. were happy we could start to leave at 2pm. I was meeting DH, so didn't leave until 4, and I was the last one here...