director has invited my family to lunch, what does this mean?

[couldsleepforahundredyears]

The director of the company I work for has invited myself, my DH and my toddler to his family home for lunch just before Christmas.

Whilst I am flattered and honoured, I can't help feeling nervous. I have never heard of this happening before. He hasn't invited anyone else in the office. We do have a good rapport but I never dreamed we'd ever be invited to his house!!

I don't know what I'm asking here, I guess it just feels a bit weird to be asked. Does anyone have any experience with this, why were you invited? Is it just something friendly? It has crossed my mind about promotion or even a firing but can't imagine either.

Whats the etiquette,? I'm really nervous about bringing my DH and baby to his house!!!

Well he isn't going to fire you that's for sure!!
There could be a promotion on the cards or perhaps he just likes your company and wants his family to meet you.
Try not to worry too much about it, just take the usual, bottle of wine/chocs and flowers. A cyclamen would be nice. Having a toddler there will help break the ice.
Go, have a great time x

COuld he possibly be thinking of leaving the company and wants to take you with him? It's not something he can discuss in the office, so he's engineering (in the nicest possible way!) an environment where he can sound you out.

Or maybe he just likes you, and wants to foster a friendship between your families.

He most definitely isn't thinking of firing you!

Or maybe he speaks about you and his wife wants to check you out

I expect he's just said that you're a nice person and that it would be nice to spend more time with you and your family in an informal environment.

My DH invites employees over for dinner / lunch - it doesn't really mean anything except that they're nice people.

Thanks for all your replies. I know I shouldn't worry but I'm afraid it's a default mode of mine! You've made me feel a lot better about it though. So thank you

Good to hear from someone who is married to a boss, and he does this with his employees too. I guess it's just a nice thing to do. I should stop trying to look too deep into it!

Still slightly concerned about my DH who can be quite shy, he is happy for me but he's dreading having to go as he finds there situations quite embarrassing and hard work. Luckily there are kids involved so lots of distraction!!

We are friends with a number of people who just happen to work for my husband, it's nice to socialise outside of work hours!

I'd always advise directors/business owners to be wary of crossing the line of being friends outside of work with people who work for them as it's a recipe for disaster in the event of anything going wrong in a work context. I've seen it happen too many times to think that's a good idea at all.

I don't think inviting employees to lunch in the way the OP describes necessarily quite crosses that line, but I think becoming friends outside work with people who work for you and socialising on a regular basis isn't sensible.