To have emailed our HR person about our ‘Christmas get together’

[Circumlocutious]

Got an email from our HR person saying that we’ll be having a celebratory in-person gathering at the office (SE). Secret Santa is planned and ‘going out for a few drinks afterwards’. Caveated with ‘only if you’re comfortable of course’.

I responded directly to the email by politely her asking how they’re squaring this plan with Tier 2 guidelines (‘they’ because this idea was cooked up by our CEO). In the meantime, other colleagues have chipped in saying ‘we’re in’. Feel like I’m on a different planet.

DH thinks I should just stay out of it and that it’s nothing to do with me. Tempted to agree but the email has been sent.

[liveitwell]

YANBU. They're fools and are risking lives. Id be livid. What will it take for people to take this seriously?

[callmeadoctor]

@TonkinLenkicks

You think that's bad. The powers that be have decided that in absence of being able to have a Christmas party were going to have a zoom mince pie baking competition. There's 60 of us. And we all have to supply our own ingredients. It's not optional. God give me strength.

It may not be optional, (but, oh dear wi fi gone down!!, zoom refuses to connect) There are 100 ways to get out of an "not optional" zoom meeting. My mac book reuses to let me download zoom and my android phone won't give me audio.

[canyon2000]

@KarlKennedysDurianFruit

Why not eat the stew?

You have to leave when you have finished eating, so if you don't eat the stew you don't have to leave and can keep on drinking.

[Doublebubblebubble]

Yabu but not for being concerned about covid, because that is legitimate.

But for writing the email. Id be too worried about what Id get back.

[Circumlocutious]

Got a response. Apparently they’ll be following covid secure guidelines such as telling everyone to wear masks in the office and keeping all the windows open, which sounds fun (but they’ll only tell people these requirements after they gauge interest in attending.. .a roundabout way of doing things). Some backtracking / waffle about going out for drinks, ‘only if it’s possible’.

Not convinced but I’m done I guess.

[Pukkatea]

I don't know about current tiers but certainly in the last tier system pre lockdown, pubs in London could have up to 30 people in a group for a 'business meeting'. One emailed me saying to let them know if your business meeting had any special requirements such as facing the television...

[MadinMarch]

@loobyloo1234
Would they not mean a few drinks outdoors - which is allowed if its no more than 6? I think YABU to be judgey tbh, just dont go if you dont want to

If it's a works do, then it's likely to be in a bigger group than 6 people in many cases.

I think the OP is entitled to be judgey if she's expected to continue to then work with them the next day and the weeks leading up to Xmas.

[SingANewSongChickenTikka]

There are different guidelines for business events. I haven’t looked into what they are, but I have a limited company and I’ve been told I can legally have a Christmas get together confused

Business events are permitted where it is necessary to get everyone together and cannot be done virtually. The venue has to be COVID secure and it is for business purposes only not socialising.

[Circumlocutious]

@Pukkatea

I don't know about current tiers but certainly in the last tier system pre lockdown, pubs in London could have up to 30 people in a group for a 'business meeting'. One emailed me saying to let them know if your business meeting had any special requirements such as facing the television...

This is probably the underlying justification behind it (but they can’t say it because everyone knows that it’s just going to be a piss up with no resemblance to a ‘business meeting’).

[IrenetheQuaint]

The Tier 2 restrictions on meeting people from other households indoors are the law - the office drinks may come within the work exemption, but going to the pub would be illegal unless outside, and others have said would also require everyone to order a substantial meal.

[andyoldlabour]

Each year there are around 10,000 deaths from flu in the UK. This year in 9 months there have been over 60,000 deaths from Covid-19 in the UK.
The reason why we have one of the highest death rates in the World, is because a sizeable minority have decided to ignore all the rules about social distancing, mask wearing etc. using every excuse to be reckless and selfish.
I think the OP was right to contact HR, because under the present rules this social event is not allowed.

[Elfieishere]

There is always one jobs worth moaner in the office. That’s you.

[Comefromaway]

www.gov.uk/guidance/guidance-for-the-christmas-period#attending-events-including-performances-and-christmas-lighting-ceremonies

From 2 December, the rules on who you can meet with in bars, pubs and restaurants will depend on your tier. The rules might be different for indoor and outdoor hospitality settings. Check the rules for your tier.

Between 23 and 27 December, the rules on who you can meet in bars, pubs and restaurants will not change.

Although there are exemptions for work purposes, you must not have a work Christmas lunch or party, where that is a primarily social activity and is not otherwise permitted by the rules in your tier.

[Comefromaway]

From that I would say drinks & secret santa in the office during, immediately after a normal working day, is fine as long as the usual social distancing is observed.

Going out for drinks afterwards, no way.

[Circumlocutious]

@Elfieishere

There is always one jobs worth moaner in the office. That’s you.

If we are having lengthy company meetings about ‘our shared values’ of transparency, openness, accountability, professionalism, and all the terms we love to bandy about - then yes, I’m entitled to ask questions if something is unclear.

And no it hasn’t harmed my standing in the company one bit.

[ShatnersWig]

I'm with you OP. I'd have queried this with HR.

[CheetasOnFajitas]

*Pukkatea said:
I don't know about current tiers but certainly in the last tier system pre lockdown, pubs in London could have up to 30 people in a group for a 'business meeting'. One emailed me saying to let them know if your business meeting had any special requirements such as facing the television...


And you said OP:
This is probably the underlying justification behind it (but they can’t say it because everyone knows that it’s just going to be a piss up with no resemblance to a ‘business meeting’).

No, it cannot be. I posted the Tier 2 restrictions above. There is no exemption for “business meetings” in pubs. You can’t be with anyone in a pub who is not in your household or bubble and even then only for a substantial meal.

You are also not supposed to have business meetings in the office unless essential. Socialising with colleagues is not permitted.

You’re probably right not to push it any further but this is all very dodgy, however they are unlikely to find a pub that will accommodate them indoors as the owner would be at risk of a fine. And you don’t have to be in the office with them and exposed to infection after Xmas, is that right?

[HouseyHouse21]

YANBU. It's inconsiderate and irresponsible, and you're right to hold them accountable. You've done what you can.

I quite like the idea of a Zoom mince pie competition, actually! Might steal it...

[OneForMeToo]

Hmmm I might hold a business meeting in my garden with food and drinks included. I have machinery that needs fixing in my garden.... 🤔

I joke but that would work right.

[Abouttimemum]

@andyoldlabour I agree, and people’s obsession with going to the fucking pub to get drunk sums up Britain’s attitude entirely.

A bloke my husband works with told him his Christmas ‘was ruined’ because he couldn’t go to the pub. Never mind spending it with his children or protecting his wife who is currently undergoing chemotherapy. I despair.

[JingsMahBucket]

YANBU. This is absurd. Are people attached to drinking so much that they have to break these rules/laws and risk the health of their communities?? WTF. It’s one, just ONE holiday season where things aren’t normal and people refuse to adapt in order to save their society. It’s pathetic.

[Branleuse]

if youre all working together in the office then what difference does it make

[Abouttimemum]

@Branleuse

if youre all working together in the office then what difference does it make

🤦‍♀️ Fuck me

[JingsMahBucket]

@Abouttimemum
A bloke my husband works with told him his Christmas ‘was ruined’ because he couldn’t go to the pub. Never mind spending it with his children or protecting his wife who is currently undergoing chemotherapy. I despair.

Based on unfortunate statistics, the selfish asshole is probably going to leave her anyway due to her cancer. He probably would’ve already if it weren’t for the pandemic or lockdown. 😕

[BigSandyBalls2015]

Our local pub are giving people a 'receipt' for food - no time on it. They then buy drinks and sit there as long as they want …. if anyone comes into the pub to check compliance the receipt is produced and you say you're 'waiting for your food'.