More than half of Irish workplaces, 55%, are downscaling their Christmas party this year.

For many it seems it is far from the season to be jolly as 31% of Irish workplaces are planning smaller celebrations this year while just under a quarter, 24%, say they aren’t holding any festive celebrations at all.

New research from Robert Walters shows that the Christmas party as we know it is changing, as are professionals’ attitudes to festive celebrations in the workplace.

Suzanne Feeney, Country Manager at Robert Walters Dublin explained: “In the face of tighter expenses, many employers are dialing back their festive celebrations.

"However, there is also mounting pressure coming from professionals who increasingly feel that their company’s Christmas budgets could be spent more wisely than in the traditional office Christmas ‘knees-up’.”

The survey of 1,000 Irish professionals found 46% plan on giving their work Christmas party a miss this year.

While over three-quarters of professionals now think that attendance at their work Christmas party has become less important since the pandemic.

With only 11% thinking the traditional workplace Christmas party has retained its prominence.

“The post-pandemic workplace has gone through numerous changes – from most professionals working in at least a partially-hybrid capacity, to a greater proportion of younger professionals embracing alcohol-free socialising and more focus being placed on work-life balance," said Suzanne.

“The thought of setting aside an entire evening during the already busy run-up to Christmas can feel like a logistical nightmare for many.”

The reason for the lack of love for a Christmas do, according to 41% of those polled, is that it creates too much pressure to socialise with colleagues.

A quarter feel like their Christmas parties are not inclusive while a further fifth complained that there are just too many personal costs associated with attendance – including forking out for office secret Santa presents, finding a suitable outfit, and footing the bill of taxis to and from the event itself.

“In a period, infamous for draining both workers’ pockets and social batteries, it can feel as though work Christmas parties are yet another costly duty professionals must fulfill before the year is up," said Suzanne.

“However – done right, they serve as an opportunity to celebrate the efforts of workforce throughout the year. Accessible and inclusive parties can provide a great way of ensuring all staff feel valued.”

More than a third, 35%, said they’d prefer a more casual office Christmas party – one that either took place in the day so they could clock off earlier (50%) or gave them a specific activity or game to take part in (27%).

However, the majority (51%) of professionals don’t class ‘employer-organised team building/socialising opportunities’ as an important workplace perk.

In fact, almost half (48%) of professionals would select a gift or small bonus over organised celebrations.

Suzanne concluded: “Christmas parties are a staple in almost every workplace’s diary – though they need a revamp.

"Large-scale office events may place too much pressure on professionals to turn up at the end of the year.

“Instead, simpler approaches like immediate team lunches, games, small gifts or perhaps a re-allocation of festive budgets into professionals’ pay packets as a small December bonus may be the best way for employers to show their staff some holiday spirit.”