I have fond memories of office Christmas parties past.
In another era with another employer, the parties were fancy affairs at the Hotel Utah. (That dates me. For those of you born after 1980, the Hotel Utah is now known as the Joseph Smith Memorial Building.) I remember formal dinners with live entertainment and lots of gifts. It was the only time I ever saw some of my co-workers in a suit and tie.
Nowadays, with a recession and budget cuts, the office party isn't what it used to be. Hot dogs and cake at Costco, anyone?
So, with the devolution of the office Christmas party, does that mean attendance is now optional?
Could there yet be career consequences to skipping the fiesta?
The answer from the folks at Office Team. They commissioned a survey of 1,000 senior managers at companies who have more than 20 employees. They asked them if they agreed or disagreed with this statement, "It is an unwritten rule that employees should make an appearance at the holiday party."
Here's what Office Team got:
Disagree
61%
Agree
38%
So, most managers no longer care. That may well be a reflection of the general state of office parties.
But... what about the 38%? If your boss is in that group, my advice is you'd better be there to wolf down wieners and sip wassail. Your career could depend on it.
Oh, and try to have a good time.
