Cold turkey and ëbah humbugí on the Christmas menu across UK organisations

Christmas cheer will be missing from many organisations this year as festive celebrations are overshadowed by a ëscrooge mentalityí, resentment of forced partying and an inability to unwind.

The Chartered Management Instituteís annual ëChristmas Outlookí survey reveals a decline in the number of organisations holding staff Christmas parties. Although 66 per cent still plan to host events, the proportion has dropped for the second consecutive year and fallen from a height of 86 per cent, in 2002.

A growing amount of organisations also refuse to pay for seasonal celebrations. This year, 39 per cent will make no financial contribution to ëoffice partiesí, up 5 per cent on last year, and an increase from 32 per cent, in 2005. Employers in the West Midlands are the least generous with only 48 per cent funding celebrations.

The survey of 513 managers shows that 1 in 5 believe Christmas celebrations are ëa choreí. Key findings include:

ï Artificial ambience: 53 per cent believe that the atmosphere at workplace end-of-year parties can be forced. Many suggest that parties would ëbe better if partners were includedí (43 per cent) and 1 in 3 respondents also claim there is too much ëpolitical correctnessí

ï Party hangover: 38 per cent think that the party season ëhas become too longí and 77 suggest it is now ëtoo commercialí. Although nearly half (46 per cent) claim to ëenjoy the office festivitiesí, some respondents (13 per cent) also say they are ëa waste of timeí

ï ëTis not the season to be jolly: despite 52 per cent agreeing that Christmas parties create a better working environment, only 29 per cent of organisations try to encourage a relaxed atmosphere at this time of year. Work is also still the dominant thought with just 1 in 4 employers intending to give time off without it counting against holiday entitlement and 42 per cent of respondents plan to work during the break.

However, despite misgivings about the Christmas period, there are some encouraging signs to suggest goodwill prevails. Twelve months ago, many employers blamed the new discrimination legislation (31 per cent) and fear of potential tribunals (26 per cent) for a lack of Christmas spirit. Yet, asked to consider how many complaints they faced in the wake of workplace parties, 82 per cent could not identify a single incident.

The survey also revealed that 54 per cent give gifts to colleagues and 11 per cent to external business contacts. 45 per cent are content to send a greetings card and 15 per cent will now send e-cards.

Jo Causon, director, marketing and corporate affairs at the Chartered Management Institute, says: ìThe idea that individuals and employers donít allow themselves to unwind at Christmas is extremely disappointing, especially in light of evidence suggesting that taking time out enables you to recharge your batteries. However it is good to see that people are saying ëthank youí and are prepared to make an effort to recognise hard work.î

Away from work, the survey also asked respondents to name the ëmust hearí festive music. Among the favourites, this year, were ëFairytale of New Yorkí (Kirsty McColl and The Pogues) and Bing Crosbyís ëWhite Christmasí. ëLast Christmasí (Wham) and ëMistletoe and Wineí (Sir Cliff Richard) were amongst the least popular.