With only four weeks left until Christmas, many HR departments are preparing for the office party. And it’s not all frock-discussions and decoration planning. For some what their employees might get up to after a few too many sherries is an ominous prospect.
Igniyte, an online reputation management company, asked 1,000 employees about their Christmas party experiences, and their responses might well surprise…
- Those in the travel industry are apparently prone to blurting out things they should really keep to themselves. Four out of 10 (40%) have tried to flirt with a colleague at an office party, and 15% told a fellow employee they didn’t like them, only to regret it the next day. More than a quarter (26%) told someone they fancied them at a bash, but surprisingly that strategy seemed to work out pretty well as 42% have managed to sneak a kiss under their boss’ nose.
- For those in the marketing and advertising sector, last year’s party is probably still recalled with a shudder. More than a third (35.5%) of staff in this industry have vowed they will not drink as much as they did at the last party, and 4% of them admitted they have (on at least one occasion, sent an inappropriate picture to a colleague while in a festive mood that they later regretted.
- Be ready for a quiet office the day after if you work in energy and utilities. One in five (19%) employees have had to stay home and nurse their hangover after a Christmas party. Those who’ve managed to make it in may well have spent the night sleeping on the sofa, as 14% have previously been dumped by a partner disgusted by their party antics.
- If you’re in the property sector it might be best to cancel the celebration now. One in 10 (10%) of your employees have previously received a warning about their party performances, and 8% lost their jobs as a result. Big plans are being hatched by 26% of workers in this industry, as they hope to tell a colleague they’re rather partial to them.
- But it’s not all bad news. The finance, manufacturing and production sectors are surprisingly well behaved, with only 6% of finance workers planning to inform a colleague they dislike them, and just 17% of manufacturing and production workers expecting to regret their party banter the day after. How very restrained.
Check out HR Legal Service’s advice on how to have a hassle-free celebration here.
