Pictured above: Justine Vaughan, Triangle HR

A recent survey of business owners and leaders across Shropshire has shown that this festive season will be lacking its usual sparkle, with nearly a third of companies planning to cut staff parties completely and many of the remainder reducing them in size and grandeur.

Conducted by Shropshire-based Triangle HR, the poll covered a wide range of business sectors across the region. Founder and Director, Justine Vaughan, explained: "We wanted to better understand what businesses were doing for their teams this Christmas, and also gauge what was influencing these decisions."

"With the economic situation as difficult as it is, we were expecting reductions but the number of companies completely cutting the traditional party or get-together is up from just 12% last year which is a much bigger jump than we anticipated. We quizzed respondents to find out what had prompted this decision and 62% said they thought it was inappropriate in the current climate while 12% pointed to their staff preferring other benefits." 

Those companies still planning a Christmas party appear determined to support their staff, with 76% subsidising or fully covering the bar bill, 88% providing food and 15% transport, although only a handful extended their generosity to gifts and overnight accommodation. "We spoke to those who were planning to continue with the festive celebrations and even they were expecting to spend less" advised Justine. "41% expected it to cost less and 40% were sticking to the same budget as last year." 

Triangle HR is advising those companies not holding a party to communicate well with their staff to avoid issues with morale. "Handled properly, even pulling the Christmas party completely can be seen positively by staff" explained Justine. "Employees just need to know that the money that was being allocated to the annual party is being reinvested in new equipment to make their jobs easier, or perhaps just on the bottom line to make jobs more secure."

"There are also a whole host of other benefits which companies can offer their staff instead - often at very little cost - and we're working with a number of clients to advise them about options available from childcare vouchers to gym memberships and even football season tickets."

But it's those companies still hosting a Christmas party which Justine reserves her gravest warning for. "The first three weeks of December see a significantly increased number of complaints against colleagues and subsequent formal warnings, and that's because of inappropriate behaviour at company parties."

"Many businesses approach the annual party with a relaxed attitude and don't make it clear to their team what is expected of them in terms of behaviour, and that can be dangerous. Business owners need to make it clear that while they want staff to have a good time and enjoy themselves, the party is still an extension of the office and inappropriate behaviour won't be tolerated. By setting some simple rules, they can be sure that everyone can have a good time" she concluded.