Recent polls suggest that a growing number of workers would prefer paid time off or extra cash in lieu of a holiday party. What’s up with that?
Two things that we can see:
- Owing to recent and newly anticipated (AI) economically-induced headcount reductions, many people aren’t in the mood to celebrate, or participate in a macabre seeming “last supper” with their workmates.
- With US tariff-induced inflation outstripping wage growth with each passing day, a growing number of people need the money more than they need a holiday party.
Without playing the grinch who stole the winter holidays, we’d suggest the following, before locking in holiday celebration plans:
If you’re of the mind to do something to celebrate the holidays with your workmates, survey them this week as to the nature and extent of celebration, i.e., would you prefer that we:
- Do Nothing, (contributing the amount saved to an employee welfare fund or charity)?
- Have a full dinner or party celebrating the holiday season?
- Have a more modest meal together as a work team, and award every employee an additional paid day off in the coming year?
