COVID-19: Office Christmas party 'dead for now' with staff opting for 'cash instead', survey finds
Office Christmas parties are "dead for now", with most employees preferring cash instead of some form of virtual get-together, according to a new survey.
Three out of five firms will not be arranging work bashes this year, according to research by jobs site Glassdoor.
And two thirds of the 2,000 workers surveyed said they did not want an office party anyway because of the coronavirus crisis.
Around half of those polled said Christmas parties were a waste of time and money, giving an excuse for people to get drunk.
And a similar number said they would not attend a "virtual" work party.
Joe Wiggins of Glassdoor said: "The classic work Christmas party is dead, for now, and who knows if it will rise again in 2021.
"Many employees clearly feel that some sort of virtual Christmas party is pointless and they would rather just have the cash instead.
"Of course, it's up to each employer to decide what is right for them and what fits best with their culture and values.
"There is significant support though for a work party of some sort in 2021, regardless of the occasion, when the pandemic is losing momentum and people can safely socialise again."
