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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

171 replies

Hop27 · 15/11/2021 09:34

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?

OP posts:
LyricalBlowToTheJaw · 15/11/2021 21:10

We have 4 people in this leadership team. Both the men decided this plan was the best option. Me and the other female, weren't consulted just told of the plan.

Shocked, I am.

WingingItEveryDay7 · 15/11/2021 21:13

There's absolutely no way I'd drag my family inc preschooler to a works do in the office on the Saturday before Christmas, that idea is hilarious!! Please keep us updated on the responses you get from your colleagues when they get told the change of plan!

Dindundundundeeer · 15/11/2021 21:19

I’d not be doing that. What a tear he is

LittleOwl153 · 15/11/2021 21:37

So he's expecting you to set up... who is doing the clearing up? I guess he hasn't seen what a toddler can do with a mince pie... Shock

Whatever you told him about your availability I would change it to the middle 30mins if anything at all. Do not be involved (dumped with) all the set up and clean up. As I expect the 2 men in this partnership don't plan on doing any of that themselves!

TillyTopper · 15/11/2021 21:53

Go to the office on a Saturday with DP just before Xmas and make small talk... LOL I don't think so! and I bet the majority will feel the same.

Zippyzoppy · 15/11/2021 22:05

If he’s giving people additional ‘free’ holidays that are being paid at usual rates, I would be more than happy that my Xmas party was being messed about. How many extra days is he giving?

LyraVega · 15/11/2021 22:11

Typical SME owner who thinks everyone cares about their business as much as they do.

How can he be so blind as to think people want to spend the Saturday before Christmas with work colleagues AT WORK. Just no.

MrsTerryPratchett · 15/11/2021 22:15

@LyricalBlowToTheJaw

Bet this bloke is not the person doing the majority of the Christmas prep in his household!
Yup. Spot the bloke with a house elf at home.
lentilsforever · 16/11/2021 06:08

@Zippyzoppy

If he’s giving people additional ‘free’ holidays that are being paid at usual rates, I would be more than happy that my Xmas party was being messed about. How many extra days is he giving?
Op has never clarified how many extra days holiday given

I’d suck up a Saturday afternoon of drinks and nibbles with work in exchange for extra free annual leave!

MadeOfStarStuff · 16/11/2021 06:15

I like my team but wouldn’t want to spend the Saturday before Christmas with all their partners and kids.

I might do it if it was just my colleagues but wouldn’t cancel other plans or expect them to.

Friday from 4pm, no partners or kids sounds far better!

Orchidflower1 · 16/11/2021 06:16

Is he making it clear it’s in lieu of coming to work the next week? If people don’t go are they expected to work eg Monday or Tuesday?

Original poster
Hop27 · 16/11/2021 07:52

He is giving up to 4 days, depending on length of service so some are getting 4, some are getting 0.

OP posts:
ginnybag · 16/11/2021 08:50

Nope - like a lot of people will have, I've had stuff booked in on that date for months, so I'd not be showing

In fact (and this'll be a lot of families) a Saturday afternoon would be a problem for me permanently, because DD has classes. I wouldn't be happy her missing her activities because my boss decided a work function needed to include my husband and kid!

lentilsforever · 16/11/2021 08:58

@Hop27

He is giving up to 4 days, depending on length of service so some are getting 4, some are getting 0.
That’s bloody generous to be giving this kind of extra gifted holiday this year

If I’d be given 4 extra days holiday as a gift, that would be equal to being given £500! So I’d definitely rock up for an hour or so for a drink and some nibbles!

PussyCatEatingPigsInBlankets · 16/11/2021 09:09

Do you normally work on Saturdays, OP?

Personally I'd have to be dragged there kicking and screaming. He also needs to organise a caterer and pay the cleaner some O/T to clear up afterwards.

ColettesEarrings · 16/11/2021 09:29

So is he going to be the one doing the Covid risk assessment for having dozens of unrelated extra people on the premises? Having children on the premises? Thought not.

Original poster
Hop27 · 16/11/2021 10:04

Very rarely our teams work weekends.

OP posts:
yellowflowersintherain · 16/11/2021 11:17

It's a terrible idea. I'd argue against it using covid as an excuse but suggest it might be one to come back to next year (then never mention it again and hope he forgets).

lentilsforever · 16/11/2021 11:19

@Hop27

Very rarely our teams work weekends.
How much extra holiday were you given op?
MizzFizz · 16/11/2021 11:59

When I was a kid, my dad's work did family Christmas parties... They brought in a Santa and got the ages of all the children and bought age appropriate gifts for each child. They also had plenty of crafts and other activities for us to do. Is this what your boss has in mind? As a kid I liked it but I would imagine it's a LOT of work to set up... surely a relaxing few hours at the end of the work day on Friday (even just from 3/4pm?) of drinks and snacks would make more sense? Definitely will get a higher attendance. You can always invite families and see who can make it...

RuggerHug · 16/11/2021 12:08

I'm guessing by the way the organisation goes for this based on what you said that for these men Christmas just gets done and everything works out. Because the women in their lives and work are doing all the bloody planning, organising and behind the scenes donkey work. I can't believe I'm suggesting this in 2021 but...Tell them to go home and explain this to whoever it is sorts Christmas in their home. Say what's already organised and what change they've decided on and ask if it still seems like a good idea. It doesn't sound like they've thought it through at all and there's probably already plans for them the Sat before Christmas but they're only thinking as far as 'it's just a few extra people, what's a bit more food'.

MilduraS · 16/11/2021 12:22

I wouldn't drive to work on a Saturday for a Christmas party. I'd happily attend a party at the end of the day but once I'm home, I pretty much forget about work.

NoSquirrels · 16/11/2021 12:55

@Hop27

He is giving up to 4 days, depending on length of service so some are getting 4, some are getting 0.
Ugh. Sounds not very ‘in the spirit’. Extra holidays for all would foster more goodwill.
Returnoftheowl · 16/11/2021 13:23

Springing this on you, on the last Saturday before Christmas? I suspect he will find that most people already have plans!

Also who are they expecting to do the clearing up? I'm guessing not the two men who have agreed to the plan...I suspect that is a job that will fall to the female members of the team.

WutheringTights · 16/11/2021 13:41

My employer used to do something similar to this on a Saturday before Christmas and it was pretty well attended. It was more than a few drinks and nibbles though so well worth attending. There would be games and crafts for children so all ages, Father Christmas, magicians, other stuff, generally a really good event for children. Drinks and nibbles wouldn't get me there with small children who will be bored shitless.