Office holiday party

[Epistemes]

So, the company which I work for is hosting a holiday get-together at a local bar and grill. The company is picking up the tab on appetizers and games, but the individual has to buy their own drinks – naturally.

I’ve decided not to go…for a number of reasons. I’m interested in going – don’t get me wrong – but I’m not going to. I’m not going because 1.) I’m mad at the company for all the layoffs recently and the fact that come the end of February I likely won’t have a job either, 2.) I don’t want to give the CFO and the other top executives the pleasure of my being there, as if everything is all right, and 3.) going will only remind me of my days when I lived for drinking heavily and carousing for long hours. However, I also sense that I’m not going precisely so that people can ask me, “Why aren’t you going?” or to almost beg me to come. So far no one has begged me to go, but I find that when I examine my conscience, I wouldn’t feel bad if one of my favorite managers begged me to go…and for me to insist, “No,” as if I’m somehow better than this party.

I know this all may be rather scrupulous on my part, but as someone dealing with pride, I don’t know. I feel bad. I would feel bad if I went for giving in to my reasons for not going even though I might have a good time, and I feel bad not going.

 

[Brian_Keith]

If those are the reasons for you not going, then so be it.

However, reason number three should be reason number one, at least in my opinion.

If they continue to ask you, then remove yourself from a situation where they can ask if you, if you can. Otherwise, just tell them plain out that you wish that they not continue inviting you because you just do not that you should be asked again because you have already said a finalized, “No.” If that continues, then you may need to state, “Because being there reminds me of a life I used to live and have no desire of living again.”

 

[lizaanne]

1.) I’m mad at the company for all the layoffs recently and the fact that come the end of February I likely won’t have a job either,

2.) I don’t want to give the CFO and the other top executives the pleasure of my being there, as if everything is all right

Well - not showing up to a party will REALLY show them!!!

So - when it comes time to laying people off, do you think they will keep folks with an attitude like this?

I’m not saying go to the party just to keep your job, but it sounds like you have a massive chip on your shoulder, and folks like that are often times the first ones to be let go.

~Liza

 

[Epistemes]

Well - not showing up to a party will REALLY show them!!!

So - when it comes time to laying people off, do you think they will keep folks with an attitude like this?

I’m not saying go to the party just to keep your job, but it sounds like you have a massive chip on your shoulder, and folks like that are often times the first ones to be let go.

You’re right – it is a big chip. And I suppose that that is what is bothering me.

I, of course, don’t have much option in the matter of being laid off. The decision has already been made.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

First off, don’t blame your co-workers for the business climate.

Go to the party and be nice to everyone. Its not only the Christian thing to do, but networking is very important, especially if you find yourself looking for a job. One of your co-workers who didn’t see you at the party, because you had a bad attitude, will remember and it could hurt your job prospects, if you are ever in that position.

Second, its fun. Unless you have a drinking problem, one or two drinks are OK, if you’re not driving.

Not going comes across as being a sour-puss. A person that worked at the last company I worked for, would not come to our Holiday Party. It was never accepted as noble, nor did she receive the sympathy she was seeking.

Regardless of the reasons, boycotting company events, never come across as anything but negative.

Jim

 

[the_phoenix]

How about going to the party, but choosing not to drink alcohol while there?

~~ the phoenix

 

[happymommy]

You don’t have to drink, but if you already know that you will get laid off, why not go and have something to eat and have the company pay for it

 

[JimR-OCDS]

You don’t have to drink, but if you already know that you will get laid off, why not go and have something to eat and have the company pay for it

True!

When the company I previously worked for, announced that they were moving our office to Colorado, and I was being laid-off, they took us out for our last Christmas party. All drinks and food were payed for.

A couple of friends of mine, when up to the bar and ordered a beer. I laughed at them and ordered top shelf, B&B on the rocks.

When they ordered garlic bread and cheese sticks for an appetizer, they quickly changed their order when they heard me ordering shrimp cocktail.

They got the point and ordered lobsters and prime rib for the entrée.

Jim

 

[IrishAm]

Or don’t go and simply say, “I’m sorry, I just can’t make it.” Say it nicely, whether you mean it or not.

Why burn bridges behind you when it is so unnecessary?

 

[DJgang]

I would suck up to everyone so that I could get an awesome reference for the next job. And I would be looking for that job right now.

Man, you are approaching this all wrong.

Yep, don’t burn bridges, because in the real world, whether anyone believes it or not, it’s not totally what you know, it’s who you know…