Companies Popping the Cork on Holiday Parties Again
By: Big 2 News Staff
Updated: December 19, 2011
Following several years of restrained (or non-existent)
celebrations, the office party finally seems to be making a comeback.
The economic downturn forced many businesses to scale
back their office parties or to cancel them
entirely over the past several years, but as the economy slowly
stabilizes and business activity rebounds, we're seeing signs of resurgence
in workplace celebrations. More people will be partying with their coworkers this year,
and as the festivities ramp up, it's important to know how to
maximize your fun without sacrificing your professional reputation in
the process.
In a nationwide survey of 4,000 workers and 2,600 employers, CareerBuilder.com
found that 58 percent of companies plan to throw a holiday party for
their employees in 2011, up from 52 percent in 2010 and 49 percent in
2009.
Perks are also on an upswing this year, with 40 percent of
employers planning to give their workers a holiday bonus, up from
33 percent in 2010. Fourteen percent expect to give a higher bonus than
last year, 13 percent will give smaller bonuses and 73 percent will
provide roughly the same amount. In addition, 30 percent of employers
plan to give holiday gifts to their employees,
up from 29 percent in 2010.
"Employers have been working hard to build back their businesses
over the last year and this holiday season are planning
to reward their biggest asset - their people - with a few holiday perks
(bonuses, parties, gifts)," Rosemary Haefner, CareerBuilder's vice
president of human resources, said in an announcement of the results.
