AIBU to refuse to go to Christmas Party?

[WhatIsThisPlease]

Our works Christmas party has been arranged for the 17th December. It's in a hotel, lots of companies all mixing together.

I've told my boss I don't want to go as it's so close to Christmas, if I get Covid there I'll I've to self-isolate for the whole of Christmas.

Both sets of parents (in their 70s) are coming to me so if I am self-isolating I'll have to cancel the day and they'll be left at home on their own. Added to that I won't be allowed out of the house in the run up to Christmas so no last minute shopping, no supermarket food shop etc.

Boss isn't happy but I think this is terrible planning. I just don't want to risk Christmas with my family for the sake of one night out with work colleagues. AIBU?

Surely parties outside work time are not compulsory???

I wouldn’t share your concerns, I am trying to get back to normal. But nobody is unreasonable for not wanting to attend something, you don’t even need a reason.

Forget Covid, work Xmas parties are always absolutely terrible so that in itself justifies refusal!

It’s not compulsory to go surely? I wouldn’t go into the detail, I’d just say I can’t make it thanks and not go - it’s a Friday night I assume so outside of working hours?

Yanbu.

Is this a networking / client event rather than a social event? If so I can understand why your boss thinks you should be there, but agree it’s bad planning to have it so close to christmas. If it’s purely a social event then it’s not compulsory and your boss has no say in whether you attend.

We had a recent works do with less than 100 attending. I had a ticket but decided not to go due to covid risk. Cue photos of everyone hugging from the night. The next few days emails started coming through with confirmed cases from attendees, think there was 7 at last count. No way would I be risking my Christmas in your situation!

I agree with others, never apologise, never explain. Just politely say no thanks.

You don’t have to go. But make sure they know you’re not going to be attending. We have a strict budget per person for ours and it’s tight making sure everyone has a good time without going over so I’d be grateful knowing if people weren’t planning to attend so I could redistribute their allocation

Yeah that's poor planning. Especially as last Christmas was so shit.

Nope, no way! YANBU.

You don’t have to go if you’re worried about it

I think you have made a mountain out of a molehill...... it is a party, totally up to you if you go or not. All you needed to say was "I can't make it" no need to go into any detail

Totally get not wanting to go to a works Christmas party.

I don’t understand why you explained why you wouldn’t be there. It sounds a bit lecture like.

I’d just have said I couldn’t make it due to a prior commitment

I’d just say “I’m unable to make it”

Since when are works parties mandatory - its not even an issue.

It’s nothing to do with Covid really. Work Xmas parties aren’t compulsory so what your boss thinks is irrelevant.

I'm with the others, just say you can't make it.

And ignore any idiots who come on here and say how miserable they find colleagues who won't socialise.

YANBU. Works parties can be fun but in your situation I would give it a miss.

Ahh I love a work Christmas party!

Ours is on the 17th as well. But we've hired out a local restaurant exclusively and we've all been back in the office together for months anyway so I'm not worried.

At some point we have to put the fear in a box and lock it away.

Your boss has no say in whether you go to a Christmas party or not.

Your mistake was explaining why you're not going. You should have just said you can't make it.

Don’t make a big song and dance about it. Just decline. Your choice.

Just say no thank you.Don't understand why you can't do that and leave it there?

Don't apologise. Just say you're not going.

I hate work Xmas parties so never go even pre-covid. So YANBU by that standard but also no need to make it a big deal, just say "I can't make it".