To think work Xmas parties should start in work hours?

[ByTidyHelper]

Just as the title says really. Our work Xmas party doesn't start til 6:30pm this year in London which is a 1hr commute for me each way. I really think work Xmas parties should start in work hours e.g. 3 or 4pm as this would be so much better for those with families who could attend at the start for a couple of hours and then go home.

I'm probably not going to mine this year just due to the fact it starts in the evening and I cannot be bothered to get back home late and have to figure out what we do with my kids bedtime etc (they are in a phase of meltdown mode unless mummy is putting them to bed so would be tough on my husband to have to deal with this solo).

What do you think? AIBU to expect work Xmas parties to start in work hours?

DH works for himself so no Xmas party sadly! My Xmas party isn't a meal it's just drinking - they've hired out a pub/bar in London and it'll just be free drinks all Night. If it were a meal and then drinks or something a bit more civilised I'd probably be more inclined to attend but as a 30 something mother of two, my days of going into London and getting shitfaced are behind me. Just not something I enjoy. As it is just a drinking affair I would much rather it to be starting early so I could make a brief appearance and leave but alas this is not the case so I probably won't go.

Dear OP I totally understand where you are coming from. I have three kids and when they were young my now exh and I worked opposite shifts to avoid having to pay for childcare we could not afford. So, whenever there was a Christmas party, or any other after work social event, it would be mostly at night and I would never go. However, to be honest with you, evening party is very different from day party and I prefer the former. It is more fun, relaxed, people would enjoy themselves more. I do not see myself having fun at 12PM. It is just not the same thing.

However, if I were you I would talk to the organizer and see if they can change it for the next time, so you too can join.

I’m sure he would, but she’s said it’ll be very stressful with how her children are at the moment. One of my children went through a few months of only being able to be put to bed by me without it being a complete nightmare. They also had a while when my partner was ‘the chosen one’. We just went with it, made sure we were there and it stopped eventually. I wouldn’t have wanted my child being so distressed and wouldn’t have gone out at bed time for something that wasn’t an emergency during that time. I’ve known lots of parents who just make a few changes for the short time needed including missing a night out. It’s usually not for long.

Do you have children and if so, have you had times when they’re really distressed at bed time @LuckySantangelo35. It can have a terrible knock on effect to the next day and longer if they don’t sleep well and then everyone is miserable.

We have a Xmas party during working time, usually lunch through till normal finish time
People I work with want something low budget so we do a craft activity (which I pay for) eg wreath making, Jacob’s join for food and end up with games or a quiz which I provide prizes for

My work Xmas party starts at 3pm and will go on til late. It works well and more people have attended at least part of it since they’ve done it this way. It used to be from 7pm and lots of people didn’t attend.

Drinks all night without food is not that appealing I agree.

We have worst of both worlds, after work but everyone is too polite to drink more than one or do anything but make small talk for 5 hours. Painful.

@DogSmiles

i don’t. But im not the only one saying it! Just think it’s a shame for OP.

Stopped going to ours for the last four years. Dislike being around drunk work colleagues. I'm almost 50 and would rather be at home with my family

Yet another disadvantage to the teaching profession! 😂

Well I work for a religious organisation so our Christmas do is a Carol service followed by a booze-free lunch! Last year everyone drifted back to work after. This year's is off site so hoping there will be a general exodus to the pub instead...

It sounds like she’d end up feeling worse by going. She sounds very tired already. The difficult bed times and disturbed nights will hopefully soon pass and there will be plenty of nights out in the future. Missing a few nights out is something a lot of parents do when their kids are little or going through something. It was only when we had our own children that we realised sometimes it was better to not go on a night out rather than it cause a knock on effect for days after. My kids are older now and I’ve had plenty of nights out as they’ve got older. One of my kids will be picking me up from my works Xmas do so I’ll be disturbing their sleep…. getting my own back all these years later. 😂

That reply was to @LuckySantangelo35

Our offices are closing at 3pm for Christmas do

In one University I worked at it started at midday with free lunch and free wine with lunch. Then anyone that wanted to would then go down in to town and go from there. They were often around 12 hours long. This was the 1990’s.

One that turned in to absolute shenanigans had two members of staff have a fight in a pub.

I am retired now and it’s a buffet in the staff room in one place I volunteer at and at another a get together is held at the main organisers house. My hobby group has a carvery dinner out. My walking group have a very boozy night out but I don’t go as it involves an overnight stay and I’m almost teetotal.

You are missing the point or being deliberately obtuse. Imagine the outrage if schools , hospitals , police stations commenced their Christmas party whilst on shift and therefore weren’t attending to students / patients / call outs ? Of course there is no legislation on Christmas party conditions, grow up

I just wish people weren't compelled to attend these things.

My work has mandated an in-person day right before Christmas holidays start. There's some booking at a pub/games place at 4pm, so still in the working day. I have huge anxiety about this sort of thing, and I'm already planning my excuse. I just want to be at home, where I feel safe and relaxed, with my family.

Ours starts at 12 and people stay out in the evening if they wish.

Same. I’m in charge of booking it so it starts at midday, in work time. People can go home in the afternoon or stay out if they want. I intend to be h9me by 5pm 😁

😄🤣 this made me laugh, but you’re right!

Mine is at 1.30pm I think? Be a long boozy lunch and anyone who wants to stay on will. We have another one which is a bigger event that's in a local bar and starts at 5, but it's downtown and anyone who wants to start drinking earlier than 5 will.

This is not an option in many places! I imagine the parents at my school would be pissed if we shipped the kids home early to start drinking.

Ours is tomorrow. Full day event with lunch and then afternoon drinks. I love this as it means I can still take part and then get home for DS. Also had a work subsidised family night for Christmas lights in November. Obviously I don’t work in the public sector, but I think more companies should give colleagues the opportunity to get together for Christmas during work hours and then have the option to continue after work.

Some places may able to swing it but as a general rule there would be uproar if your kids school, GP Surgery etc had a sign up saying closed for staff party. Generally I would expect it to be after work hours.

When I was a student and working part time yes. In real life, no thanks.