Employee motivation: Christmas parties low on SMEs' priority list

Date: 16/11/2011

Ignoring the impact it will have on employee motivation, nearly half of small and medium enterprises in the UK will not hold a Christmas party this year, according to a survey by Pitney Bowes.

Of those who do intend to hold an event, 91 per cent say the budget will be the same or lower than last year, even though the cost of things has increased over the past 12 months.

These companies are aware of the risks they are taking, however, as 63 per cent of respondents said they knew it would have a negative impact on staff morale.

With employees working harder than ever in increasingly difficult circumstances, the Christmas party is the one time of the year when bosses can reward them for their efforts.

Any company wishing to change their mind and hold a festive bash should involve a events company to make sure it ticks all the boxes as an ill-planned party can also have a negative effect on morale.

Phil McCabe, senior policy maker at the Forum of Private Business, said: "Choosing not to recognise staff at Christmas could have a negative effect on morale and therefore productivity so companies need to introduce other ways of motivating - it doesn't have to be costly."
 

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