Work Xmas dinner on a Saturday?

[Beachybeach]

I work for a corporation and mainly work from home. Everyone in my team lives across the country so a Xmas party was never going to be local.

Apparently due to covid our main Xmas do will be moved to spring time (will be all expenses covered including travel/hotel)

But my manager has suggested that we all go out for dinner on a Saturday in December. As it’s not our proper Xmas do we’ll be expected to pay for it ourselves.

AIBU to think it’s really shit to meet up with colleagues/bosses on a Saturday?! I work with these people all week let alone on a Saturday too.

I've always paid for my Xmas do and have often been on a Saturday. I've never given the day a second thought, don't think it'd particularly unacceptable or odd.

If you wish not to attend, I'm sure it's not so hard to come up with an excuse. December can be a busy time for people.

Some people are happy to socialise with colleagues at the weekend... others share the same mentality as you.

What is the issue here? Go if you want to go, don't go if you don't want to. What's the problem?

So it's basically a work night out? Of course you pay for yourself. And Saturday makes sense because it's easier to make a night of it than midweek when people have work the next day.

A hangover is wasted unless it’s in work’s time. That could be one issue.

I always organise our work one. Nannies and maternity nurses

Our employers or clients don’t pay

We pay ourselves and heaven forbid have on a Saturday 😂

If you don’t want to go then don’t. You have plans

I feel so lucky that I work with a great bunch of guys that I enjoy spending nights out with. I'm the only female and generally the one who organises everything. I know they appreciate it. We look forward to our Xmas night out every year and as public sector we have never had so much as a drink bought for us, we can't accept gifts either. It's a shame you are worrying so much about it , you don't like your work mates or want to spend time with them then don't go, thays perfectly fine.

The one benefit of covid was the lack of a xmas work do last year
Lucky you - the organisation I was working for last year had a five hour zoom extravaganza. I declared poor internet after a couple of hours.

If you don't want to go, don't - you probably won't be the only one to decline.

I feel so lucky that I work with a great bunch of guys that I enjoy spending nights out with

Same here, but in my case they are women. I think one of the reasons we get on so well is that we are all at a similar stage in life, and there is no one upmanship. We are comfortable with who we are and where we are in life.

It wasn't always the case, but the two unpleasant members of staff have left.

@TasteTheMeatNotTheHeat

It's your beloved cousin's wedding that day. You are sorry you'll be missing the Xmas do and you hope they all have a wonderful day

No I dont think the OP's cousins getting married, they didnt mention it in the post

I have paid for every work do I hsve been too! Often on a Saturday too.
If you don't want to go then don't.... but it's aperfectly reasonable suggestion.

YANBU. I just wouldn’t go.

Say it’s not convenient and the weekend is your family time. End of story.