Season of goodwill found within small organisations

Over two thirds (69%) of organisations will provide a Christmas party this year for their staff making it the fourth most commonly provided employee perk, according to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Developmentís (CIPD) Annual Reward Management survey 2008.

Workers in smaller organisations are far more likely to benefit from the Christmas spirit. Over 80% of firms employing up to 49 staff will provide a Christmas party this year, while 17% provide a seasonal gift such as hampers and vouchers. By contrast 50% of companies employing 5000 staff will hold a party this year and 15% give a gift.

The full survey highlighting all aspects of UK reward management practices will be launched at the CIPDís Annual Reward Conference, on the 6th February 2008.

The initial findings show that private sector service employers are the most generous with 84% likely to provide a Christmas party or lunch. The manufacturing industry has shown a leap this year with 77% now offering Christmas parties, an increase from 60% last year. There has also been an increase over the past two years in the public and voluntary sector organisations, however they still remain the least likely to provide a gift or throw a Christmas party.

Charles Cotton, CIPD Reward and Employment Conditions Adviser, says: ìIt is encouraging to see that the spirit of Christmas is still popular with most organisations. Christmas parties and gifts provide smaller organisations with the opportunity to boost team morale and thank staff for all their hard work during the year. A little can go a long way in creating a better atmosphere within the workplace. However recognition need not only be a once-a-year occurrence, but can be an ongoing process with managers recognising achievement with a simple thank you.

ìParties and gifts also provide a useful barometer as to how well an organisation and the economy is doing. The increase in gifts and parties in the manufacturing sector reflects growth experienced by many firms this year.

ìIt will be interesting to see what happens next year, when we will see the full affects of the credit crisis in the city, especially the impact on the financial and professional service firms. The scrooge mentality could come into force as companies cut their Christmas parties.î

The survey highlights differences between various sectors:

- 62% of voluntary sector organisations provide a Christmas party or lunch

- Only 25% of public sector employers provide a party or lunch

- Manufacturing and production companies are more likely to provide a gift, with 23% doing so

- Only 16% of private sector service, 4% in the public sector and 1% in voluntary sector workers will receive a gift such as a hamper or voucher.

The survey highlights differences between organisation sizes:

- 72% of organisations with 50-249 employees provide a Christmas party and 12% of these employees will receive a gift such as a hamper or voucher

- 75% of organisations with 250-999 employees provide a Christmas party, and 15% of these employees will receive a gift such as a hamper or voucher.

- 63% of organisations with 1000-4999 employees provide a Christmas party and 15% of these employees will receive a gift such as a hamper or voucher.

- 50% of organisations with 5000 employees provide a Christmas party and 8% of these employees will receive a gift such as a hamper or voucher