Now the Chistmas party falls victim to economic hard times

Over three-quarters of Irish employers will not be paying for a Christmas party this year, according to a survey released today.

The research, carried out by employment law consultancy Peninsula Ireland, found that 79 per cent of Irish employers do not intend to pay for the traditional seasonal party and when asked many employers said they had taken the decision in a bid to cut costs during the recession.

Some 71 per cent of Irish employers say Christmas parties are a waste of company money.

Commenting on the findings, Alan Price, head of Peninsula Ireland, said: "Ebeneezer Scrooge is alive and well in the workplace as Irish bosses blame the economic downturn and cancel their Christmas party, bringing festive gloom.”

“With the economic conditions the way they are, firms just can not warrant spending money on a Christmas party. These events represent a considerable cost to any firm . . . and many employers consider this another process in tightening their belt and making their company more cost efficient.”

Companies that are making people redundant may consider spending money on a Christmas party inappropriate, Mr Price added.

The survey also found 68 per cent of Irish employers have received a complaint of harassment from an employee after their Christmas party.

"Christmas parties always seem to be marred with incidents, and Irish employers are now realising that this is the case and are worried about what may happen on the night,” Mr Price said.

The survey was done by telephone and in person to 2,043 Irish employers from a range of industries between October 1st and 20th, 2008.