Hoping for a bonus instead of a Christmas party this year? Think again
Have you heard the news? Christmas is commercial these days, it’s all about money. Up until recently it used to be about money and having a nice time with family and friends, but now, apparently, it’s just about the money.
According to new research by CareerBuilder, 86 percent of employees would prefer a Christmas bonus than spend some quality time with their colleagues at a Christmas Party. I know! Can you believe it!? But laugh it up you money-grabbing so-and-sos’ because 53 percent of employers won’t be giving a bonus in pay packets this year. Nada. Not a penny.
Christmas bash
To rub salt into the wound though, according to the research, 60 percent of employers will be hosting a Christmas party, so if you were hoping to dodge that particular bullet, then think again. And guess what? 16 percent of employers are holding a bigger Christmas bash than they did last year, so there really is no escape.
Of those cash-rich characters lucky enough to be getting a bonus IT workers will be in line for the biggest windfall, with 29 per cent of employers in the sector saying they are giving bigger bonuses than they were last year, followed by:
- Accountants (28 per cent)
- Sales (27 per cent)
- Marketing (26 per cent)
- Operations (25 per cent)
- HR (20 per cent)
Good news
For those who are being rewarded with a bonus, there’s further good news: a fifth (20 per cent) of employers are giving a bigger Christmas bonus than they did last year, and a further 22 percent are giving one the same size.
But if you’re not getting a bonus then hard cheese…you’re heading to the Christmas party. Sorry about that.
Robert joined the HRreview editorial team in October 2015. After graduating from the University of Salford in 2009 with a BA in Politics, Robert has spent several years working in print and online journalism in Manchester and London. In the past he has been part of editorial teams at Flux Magazine, Mondo*Arc Magazine and The Marine Professional.
In all this, please spare a thought for those who receive neither a bonus nor a Christmas party – they would probably be grateful for either?
Chance would be a fine thing to have either. Public Service workers are effectively taking pay cuts at the moment; no chance of a Christmas bonus or party for many. Bah Humbug Government…