When it comes to office holiday parties, the UK’s pension managers would rather sit on a lump of coal than sing carols with the co-workers.
The Chartered Management Institute found pensions managers around the UK are fed up with the idea of celebrating Christmas with their colleagues as most think work celebrations are forced, go on for too long and are boring. Further, the study found pension managers believed Christmas creates chaos in the workplace with absenteeism and poor service levels and that the notion of ‘goodwill to all’ is drifting away from the workplace. Thirty-one percent of pension managers questioned said seasonal festivities created problems because colleagues or clients were inaccessible, while 62% of pension managers are away from work for four days or more.
Luckily, holiday parties are not a universal infliction. Only 62% of pension managers claim to have an office party. Two in 10 suggest the reason is ‘a lack of enthusiasm’, with 23% admitting Christmas celebrations are a chore. Just half say that they enjoy office festivities.
Further taking away from the holiday spirit, a mere 12% say they give gifts to colleagues. ‘Secret Santa’ will also be climbing down fewer pensions office chimneys this year, with only four in 10 running mystery gifts schemes.
This is not to say the Ebenezers have said a total bah-humbug. Rather, UK pension managers want to spend more time with family and friends.