Work party--Attendance mandatory?

[maxiesmom]

I'm just wondering what you all think.

I work retail, and twice a year we have work parties. Our Christmas party is actually tonight, as we wait until the nuttiness of Christmas is behind us, so we can all relax and have fun. Thing is, out of the 7 managers/assistant managers we have at the store, I can tell you which 3 won't show up. Because they never show up for work parties.

I wanted to ask what you thought, becasue the next day at work, it is always a subject of conversation. The general feeling is that these people don't really care about the store as a team, and that it is just bad form on their part to not show up for at least a little while. We all already know that the management team doesn't get along. But this just seems to really cement that in everyone's mind.


Do you feel that as a member of a management team that you owe it to your team, and the rest of your co-workers to put on a happy face and just show up at the party for a while? Or not?

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

I have mixed feelings on this. I strongly believe in a separation between work and life. It's easier to get that separation if you're an hourly employee, because I don't think an employer can make you go to something without paying you for it.

Since a manager position is normally salaried, I think the demand could probably be there. At the same time, I don't know know that it SHOULD be. Personally, it wouldn't bother me in the least if a manager didn't want to be there. I have a feeling the majority will feel otherwise.

I know you said that they don't all get along and it might be a long shot, but is there any possibility that there's a religious reason behind it?

When I worked at Wal-Mart, our parties were so unbelievably dull because management was not ALLOWED to fraternize with the subordinates. So we were allowed to get together, but there was no music, no dancing, and no alcohol. It was excrutiating. (And I don't even drink! LOL). This was almost fifteen years ago, so things may have changed. But I used to DREAD those get-togethers!

 

[Ceila]

I know that my husband, who's in management, does feel that he should go to most company functions at least for a little while. Unfortunately, with the economy, there hasn't been a Christmas party in a couple of years, but before that we always went. Neither one of us believes that companies should force employees to socialize together if they don't care to, but as a member of the leadership team he thinks management should be there.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

I never go to work parties. Its not that we don't work as a team because in what I do we have to or it would never work.
I just don't like work parties. I don't consider these people my friends, they're my co-workers.

I never socialize with them outside of work.

So no IMOP, parties shouldn't be mandatory unless I'm getting paid to attend, then yes, I would be there.

 

[kellyg403]

As a manager, I don't always go to the parties. Not because I don't get along with other managers or don't want to hang out with the employees. Often, these parties are done on a day when it is convenient for the 'majority' not the individual. If something in my family is happening that day I will choose to attend that and miss the party. If someone asks if I am coming I will say no, there is a conflict for me at this time. It has never been 'mandatory' at our workplace to attend the parties. Usually they are off site and involve hours fun. That being said, there have also been several incidents over the years at these parties, and honestly, I don't want to even know anything about it.

It is a fine line between work and home for me. I spend way more hours than I could ever get paid for. I am charge of several stores, so my phone rings off the hook, emails day and night, problems etc. It invades my home life if I allow it. So, honestly..I try not to let it. I have a 'home' store so that is where I spend most of my time. I did not go to this year's Xmas party. I had not had a day off, or one 100% off, in weeks during the holiday time. I chose to have a real day off and told everyone have fun!

I don't think its 'personal' just one of those things!

Kelly

 

[bicker]

I think it is important to differentiate between management and staff, even though the end-result may not be much different.

For staff, the issue is clear: If it is part of your normal work hours, and you're being paid for it, then you go. Otherwise, it should be absolutely optional.

If there is an expectation that workers are to participate in after-hours team-building exercises, then that should be revealed in advance, giving people sufficient lead time to start looking for another job if they don't want to participate. (And of course, hourly employees still get paid for participating, regardless.)

Management is another story (and not just vis a vis the pay issue). If the intention of having a party is team building, as it necessarily must be, in the case of most publicly-traded companies, then managers do have an obligation to participate.

 

[Gigi22]

Some people do not attend Christmas parties because of their religious beliefs. Some people do not attend parties where alcohol will be served, either from religious beliefs or because they may have had problems with alcohol. Some people do not attend parties because they have scheduling conflicts. And finally, some people do not attend parties where they would not feel comfortable.
Their absence may be the best gift they can give you all.

 

[mtemm]

I worked retail years ago and we had to PAY to attend any work parties. I never once went to one of them for that reason.

 

[kellyg403]

I worked retail years ago and we had to PAY to attend any work parties. I never once went to one of them for that reason.

This is how it works for us as well. The Store Manager picks a few dates, finds out what date the majority would like to have it on, reserves whatever dining place and it goes from there. Everyone pays for their own food/drink.

Inside the store, the company foots the bill for food and drink. These are the 'team building' parties. I attend 90% of these unless I am under another obligation with the company itself.

The outside ones, eh...I don't feel like they are team building. The day after one of these types of parties is nothing but gossip, who left with who, who drank to much, who was a snob. Nope, don't feel like they are team building parties at all.


Kelly

 

[golfgal]

Dh always felt that he should attend work parties (management). It was easy because we were friends with a lot of people from work and the parties were fun. They certainly were not mandatory though. With his new company, the party is just for management (they do other things for staff). We didn't go this year because we had a blizzard and the roads were closed . We would have gone otherwise.

 

[maxiesmom]

To address a few things that have been brought up:

1. We don't have to pay to attend. The company pays for us.
2. It is definately not a religious thing for any of the managers.
3. We can't have alcohol either, but they are not boring, sit in your seat and stay there parties. This year we are going to a local fun spot for a buffett, lazer tag, and go carts. All of which are no cost to us. In years past we have done a movie night with catered in food, or trips to an art museum. I understand that go carts and lazer tag are not fun for everyone. The buffett portion is open to us for 2 hours. Really, you can't just come in for a few minutes, say hi, and leave?

I guess the main issue I have is it is the same managers that can't be bothered to show up whenever we have get togethers outside of work. The last 2 years we have had a picinic in the park duing the summer. The same managers didn't come both years. And didn't come to last year's Christmas party.

 

[TheIncredibles!]

To address a few things that have been brought up:

1. We don't have to pay to attend. The company pays for us.
2. It is definately not a religious thing for any of the managers.
3. We can't have alcohol either, but they are not boring, sit in your seat and stay there parties. This year we are going to a local fun spot for a buffett, lazer tag, and go carts. All of which are no cost to us. In years past we have done a movie night with catered in food, or trips to an art museum. I understand that go carts and lazer tag are not fun for everyone. The buffett portion is open to us for 2 hours. Really, you can't just come in for a few minutes, say hi, and leave?

I guess the main issue I have is it is the same managers that can't be bothered to show up whenever we have get togethers outside of work. The last 2 years we have had a picinic in the park duing the summer. The same managers didn't come both years. And didn't come to last year's Christmas party.

It's not a crime to not want to socialize with people you work with. Some people enjoy being with co-workers outside of the job and other's absolutely do not. They are not doing anythng wrong - they just don't enjoy something you seem to enjoy.

 

[nexttripdisney]

As a business owner, I will tell you that it reflects poorly, especially on someone in a Managerial position. Twice a year might be a bit much to ask, depending on the purpose of the second party.

They should be there for team-building. Missing EVERY event tells co-workers, managers, and owners that they have little regard for the company and it's employees for anything more than a paycheck.

 

[Polyluvr]

To address a few things that have been brought up:

1. We don't have to pay to attend. The company pays for us.
2. It is definately not a religious thing for any of the managers.
3. We can't have alcohol either, but they are not boring, sit in your seat and stay there parties. This year we are going to a local fun spot for a buffett, lazer tag, and go carts. All of which are no cost to us. In years past we have done a movie night with catered in food, or trips to an art museum. I understand that go carts and lazer tag are not fun for everyone. The buffett portion is open to us for 2 hours. Really, you can't just come in for a few minutes, say hi, and leave?

I guess the main issue I have is it is the same managers that can't be bothered to show up whenever we have get togethers outside of work. The last 2 years we have had a picinic in the park duing the summer. The same managers didn't come both years. And didn't come to last year's Christmas party.

No alcohol?
I wouldn't go period then; management or hourly~ no booze~ count me out.

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

I guess the main issue I have is it is the same managers that can't be bothered to show up whenever we have get togethers outside of work. The last 2 years we have had a picinic in the park duing the summer. The same managers didn't come both years. And didn't come to last year's Christmas party.

I guess I just don't see why they should have to. If the purpose of the event is strictly to have fun... then I don't feel that a manager (or anyone else) should feel required to go.

As another poster said, my coworkers are just that. My coworkers. My friends are different people entirely. I spend my free time with my family and friends and I don't think a manager should have to do anything different.

It sounds like your company does some nice things for its employees. It should be up to the individual employee to choose if its something they want to participate in if isn't done during company hours.

 

[LuLuO]

I am against mandatory fun. Having been in retail and retail management over the years there were groups that I socialized with and groups that i didn't, both as a manager and as a sales associate. If the managers don't want to socialize with subordinates and fellow managers outside of work, I don't see why a big deal should be made of it.

 

[bicker]

If the purpose of the event is strictly to have fun...

That's the issue... if the purpose of the event is strictly to have fun, then should the company even be paying for it? If it is for a company I owned stock in, the answer would be no, because I could get double-value for my money, both folks having fun and the positive impact on the company from fostering the team perspective.

As another poster said, my coworkers are just that. My coworkers. My friends are different people entirely.

That really goes to the point about what the event should be for. If the event is strictly to have fun, why share it with coworkers-who-are-not-friends at all? If I'm an employee, and my company wants to spend $XX per employee on an event "strictly to have fun", then let them give me a $XX gift certificate of some sort, so I can go have fun with my friends.

 

[goofyernmost]

I've never been to a work party yet that turned out well. Even without alcohol someone has already gotten into it before the party started. My job as a manager made the problem of drunks or obnoxious people mine, not by choice but by necessity. I've spent time taking people, that didn't want to go, home. Trying to get them and others calmed down. Having employees that I knew didn't like me...stare at me like I had a second person growing out of my head.

No...I no longer attend them nor will I ever. Now if for some reason the company decides to hold the party during work hours then, I guess, they are paying me to be there and I feel obligated to attend. If it's on my time...not a chance.

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

I am against mandatory fun.

Where is the Tag Fairy when you need her???

That really goes to the point about what the event should be for. If the event is strictly to have fun, why share it with coworkers-who-are-not-friends at all? If I'm an employee, and my company wants to spend $XX per employee on an event "strictly to have fun", then let them give me a $XX gift certificate of some sort, so I can go have fun with my friends.

Well, I know in NY state if the company spends the money on the party/event, there is no tax ramification for the employees. If the company gives a gift certificate, the employee has to claim it. There was a huge hoopla over this one year at my company, and gift certificates are no longer given.

I think the "team building" aspect is probably built in to something like this. My own personal experience in such instances is that the team building doesn't really happen.

 

[MM27]

I don't do work parties unless they are during the work day. My feeling is, the people I want to spend extra time with, I will anyway and there are some people that I really don't want to see beyond what I'm required.