To think this is a bit off?

[donatingmychristmaslunch]

I work for a huge organisation.

Last week we were told £25pp had been approved for our Christmas lunch so teams could get on with booking their get togethers.
I'd say about half of the work force works from home still. Lots of people will have been looking forward to getting together with colleagues at Christmas.

We've just been told the offer is withdrawn and money will be donated to charity instead! I know lots of people don't get a paid for Christmas event (mainly public sector workers etc) so this isn't about whether we're entitled to the money.

Aibu to think this is an absolutely bizarre move by the company and will foster some pretty bad feeling amongst people?

Really bad form to offer and then take it back. And stating they will donate it to charity instead is just a ploy to stop people from complaining IMO. I doubt said donation will even happen. But then I'm a cynical person.

I'd complain to my manager.

Can afew of you arrange a Christmas meet up yourselves?

Can afew of you arrange a Christmas meet up yourselves?

We probably will but it's really annoying. Our power bills have doubled recently, Christmas gifts to buy for 2 children, childcare to pay etc. That £25 would have been nice and now I'll have to pay out of my own pocket if I want to see colleagues.

And I'd imagine some people won't come at all if they have to pay, which is fair enough but takes away from the whole point of a 'work do'

Totally shitty, what a slap in the face. Email for an explanation.

That's really mean, I bet it's a tax thing.

Re. Covid risk - my company gave us our £30 Xmas do allowance as supermarket vouchers last year - that's always an option.

I imagine that they’ve decided that encouraging their employees to meet in person when Covid cases are so high is a very bad idea. I think they’ve been sensible but some comms about why they have changed things would have been helpful.

Or as some else else said an explanation of why and then a voucher for everyone to the same value. I get why they wouldn’t want to do the face to face events but there other options so staff still get a treat whilst keeping safe

They could at least offer a voucher or a charity donation in your name. As someone else mentioned, it’s going to become very expensive just to heat your house this Christmas. The goodwill that goes with supporting your staff is not forgotten quickly.

I think that’s shocking, I’d be absolutely gutted. It’s one thing if you work somewhere that simply doesn’t have a budget for a Xmas do, that’s fine and people understand. But to offer something nice and then take it away - that’s horrible. Is the workforce unionised? Could be worth getting the union rep to find out more about what’s going on.