To have work Christmas party on the Saturday before Christmas in the afternoon.

[Hop27]

At work I'm responsible for our team, my role is focused around them and had planned our Christmas party months ago as a team only (no partners) event on a Friday afternoon in December. All agreed, numbers confirmed etc.
My boss has now decided he doesn't want to do this anymore and wants us to have a family gathering in the office on the Saturday before Christmas. Just drinks and nibbles, with everyone's partners/kids invited, with the main reason for this change being given as we are now finishing on the 17th of December, gifting people extra leave so we cannot justify giving people another half day off.
AIBU to think this is a ridiculous plan, most people will have plans that Saturday nor will people want to spend a Saturday in an office when they clocked off for the year on the Friday?
I've suggested the Friday from 4pm, but apparently that makes it too hard for partners/family to attend.
I have plans on the Saturday before Christmas, so raised it with my boss that I could attend but not from start to finish. His response was it his expectation as a senior person I'd be there for the team. AIBU or would you attend such an event on a Saturday afternoon?

It depends if the staff are settled with families.
My old job done 2 the day event usually had Santa and gifts it was always packed.

I'd insist it is both or none.

Hahaha nope.

Employees Drinks and nibbles on an office Friday afternoon yes. On a Saturday with family tow, no way. My kids will be exhausted by the last day of term and hyped for Christmas, no way I would inflict that on myself.

What a twat when it's all confirmed he sounds like an awful boss. Especially when expecting you to cancel your plans as a senior person. Knob head.

No, just no.

would have had a prior engagement that couldn’t possibly be changed.

Me too. I'd just say 'I'm sorry but I already have plans that day and as it isn't a working day, I won't be changing them.'

I've told him I have plans that can't move (true) and it was still you need to be there. Sorry, no I don't and I won't.
We have a hugely mixed team, some young & single, some older and settled with kids ages from baby to mid 30's - also some who live over an hour away (at least)
It's a completely thoughtless suggestion IMO.

I think covid is your easy way out if this. It’s madness to mix on 18th - kids, partners, workmates. People will understandably be wary of doing anything to jeopardise their family Christmas.
Is he going risk assessment or you.

I am hugely sociable, get on well with my work colleagues, would never dream of missing a work social event.

I can promise you I would still be declining this one - my kids finish school on the 17th and they will be knackered and grumpy. My husband would hit the roof at being asked to do this so I would either have to go alone, which he would moan about, or take all the kids on my own.

I will also be doing last minute christmas shopping, food shopping, SO MUCH STUFF.

Like others have said, he is utterly bonkers to think this is a good idea. And no, he can't order you to attend an event in your own time when you already have plans, surely?

Sounds to me like his partner wants to come - perhaps he's not trusted to socialise with the office?

In your shoes I'd say OK I'll set something up, but sorry I can't be there as I already have plans.
And then I'd probably move the Friday thing to work finishing time, so it doesn't impact him, and carry on regardless. After all he can't object to a group of folk meeting in a pub after work can he!

Everyone will have covid symptoms that morning.

I wouldn't be coming to the Saturday one, horrible idea.

Is it deliberate so he can cancel due to "lack of interest" and save the money?

@PomBearWithoutHerOFRS

Is it deliberate so he can cancel due to "lack of interest" and save the money?

Why not just say go for drinks after work on Friday in the local pub or something? He'd look less of a twat, even if he didn't put his hand in his pocket.

He's utterly bonkers. Even if people don't have plans it's the last thing they'll want to do then.

Honestly just send the invite and show him all the declines.

Yes, poor of the senior manager. Stick to your guns about your own attendance and give the manager advice that this is unlikely to be at welcome and many people won’t attend.

I've told him I have plans that can't move (true) and it was still you need to be there. Sorry, no I don't and I won't.

Well quite OP, I don't see how he's going to enforce that given that it isn't a working day. If you just didn't turn up, what's he going to do, fire you? Then he'll be down a senior member of his team, and facing a legal challenge to boot.

Lol no. I booked (and paid for) planned things that weekend in August. I wouldn't be changing them because the boss fancied a last minute get together.

Your boss is nuts

He's deluded! I have taken the kids to DHs work at 4pm on a week day for mince pies. Our Christmas do is always an afternoon. If it is 4pm on the Friday, then at least the employees are likely to come, even if families don't. Who will bother on the Sat?!

Absolutely no way. Even if I had no concrete plans for that day no way would I commit to a work event - especially as it is now with very little notice in the whole scheme of things. Nor would I be forced into it.
Good luck

His idea is crap. Who wants to spend a Saturday afternoon doing that? Especially with small kids, I have a 5yo & 11mo - can't imagine anything worse than doing that as a family activity.

Trust that it won’t suit others
And it won’t happen

gifting extra leave

Sorry if I missed
But how much has he given?

No way