"Loving" the Bad Economy...

[jiarby]

1999-2004 we used to have 200ish employees across two locations in our town and spent 30-60k for a formal catered hotel dinner, with DJ/Entertainment/Band.

It was like a High School Prom for adults. I never liked going and I am sure that 90% of the people that attended would have rather had the extra $300 in their bonus envelope.

[NorthernZel]

I attended the company party yesterday, 'twas very nice. Good food, good entertainment and the party stopped at 2am sharp so those who had got drunk already didn't have the chance of getting totally shit-faced.

It was first time for me to be at such a big company party - other places I've been at were small business or organisations funded by state/city council, so a Xmas party then most often was 10-20 of us making a potluck dinner, and those who wanted to go to a bar afterwards could do that (on our own expense, naturally).

Next week we're gonna have another X-mas company party, though this time it's aimed towards the employees' kids. Lots of cookies and hot cocoa, the kids can make their own xmas tree decorations (we have to bring our own scissors but Company provides paper, glue, pencils and stuff), and Santa has presents for all the kids attending. Now, THAT's a kind gesture.

[telecom_goddess]

2001-2002 in the Atlanta call center. It was a holdover from the MindSpring days, who were the majority of people in the call center.

Which ISP was it?

It was Teleport Internet Services in Portland OR, although technically it was OneMain.com since they took us over first and Earthlink took them over. From what I understand it was some kind of stock manuever. Anyway it took a really cool job and took it away from me....

[MoonCat]

I co-own a small company. We don't do Christmas parties due to having multiple locations (would be tough to coordinate). We give out Christmas bonuses instead. I assume employees prefer this.

I would, or I should say, I did, although it was never much money, but it was the only check all year that I considered mine to play with.

We gave up the bonus last year as a cost-cutting measure. The managers still got bonuses.

[ADoyle90815]

The only things I've had were free food and participating in a Secret Santa thing with co-workers. There is extra pay for working on holidays, but things are usually so slow that I haven't been scheduled on a holiday. I haven't worked Thanksgiving since I was working at Mart of K.

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

What are these "Christmas parties" of which you speak?

The swamp hasn't had one in nearly ten years.

[CrazedClerkthe2nd]

I've never had a formal Christmas party, but for a couple of years us Gamestore employees from local stores have had an informal gathering, usually at a Chinese buffet place, where we just hang out and share SC stories and hang out. They were pretty fun actually, even when a bit of alcohol was involved.

[Andara Bledin]

We gave up the bonus last year as a cost-cutting measure. The managers still got bonuses.

We had a money crunch some half a dozen years back, and the bosslady (also CFO) figured that we either gave up bonuses entirely, or only the managers gave up bonuses. She put it to a vote with the managers, and all but one (the one she knew would dissent) voted to let the rest of us have bonuses that year.

^-.-^

[Kristev]

I'm amazed. Where did you find a good boss like that?

[Andara Bledin]

Odd chain of events, actually. Before I met him, my now-ex found an ad for a *nix programmer at his college and handed it to a friend of his who got the job. Then several years later, the friend said the place was looking for someone to do data entry (my specialty) who was fast and accurate, so I got the job.

Been here over 15 years, and while the pay isn't what it could be, the benefits are competitive with much larger companies but with a small-company feel and sensibility. As long as society doesn't collapse, I suspect I'll be here another 15 years.

^-.-^

[computeraide]

No Such Luck

Apparently they scraped up the money. So I get to not-enjoy another Christmas party this year. That'll be the 7th year in a row we've had to serve the food and do all the cleanup. I wish they would have different departments take turns but it always ends up being mine.

[MoonCat]

Apparently they scraped up the money. So I get to not-enjoy another Christmas party this year. That'll be the 7th year in a row we've had to serve the food and do all the cleanup. I wish they would have different departments take turns but it always ends up being mine.

Some catering companies will even do the clean up for you. I don't know if they cost more than ones don't. Might be too late for this year but maybe a thought for next year?

[blas]

We're having one at a bar in a few weeks due to the storm last week ruining that chance, but I won't say yes or no until I am sure at least a couple of coworker pals are going, because I am not wasting the gas to go nearly 30 miles to hang out with people who throw me under the bus all the time.