Employee Christmas parties:Do you think your spouse should be invited?

[Gary Majchrzak]

Scenario #1: YOUR employer is throwing a Christmas party one night at his/her place. Due to 'financial concerns' {or other excuse}, spouses are not invited.
Scenario #2: Your SPOUSES' employer is throwing a Christmas party and does not invite spouses for above excuse.
Anybody care to share their thoughts on this?
{PS: HAPPY HOLIDAYS! }

[budhaboy]

Personally I wouldnt go then.My company allows 1 guest per employee, but at a cost of 10 bucks- I think this is fair, but to not allow guest/spouse/dates just blows and my boss wouldnt see me there if that were to happen.

[dc]

That would suck!! If they can't afford the spouses, maybe they shouldn't have a party. We've gotten bonus' on years without parties.

[Guru_Del]

With out a doubt spouses should be invited

[wayner1]

I wouldn't go, Our Office had what they called a Christmas dinner, it was on a Friday Night, no better halfs, at some fancy restaurant, and everybody pay their own way. Say What!

I spend most of my life with these people, do you think I want to go out on a Friday night with them, pay my own way, and half to leave my wife at home, I have much better things to do with my money., - --- Buy Corals!,

If the person or party can't afford to spring for the cost, not invite your spouse, it's a no brainer, stay home.

[beerguy]

If the company is REALLY that strapped for cash they probably shouldn't be throwing the party. But that aside, they should at the very least allow you to pay for your spouse; not give them a blanket exclusion.

[mst_RoadRash]

I'm with everyone else. You either get to bring one other person or they shouldn't have the party.

And that one other person should not be limited to SPOUSES. I'm not married, so does that mean I have to leave my girlfriend at home? Screw that, I'd rather go out on a date with her.

It's not a party if you can't bring at least one person you like.

[Torghn]

I spend way too much time at work. Free time should be spend with whomever you want. Spouces should be invited or there shouldn't be a company party.

[Newreeflady]

I agree that spouses should be invited.

[ri]

Hello Gary!

Where I work now spouces are not invited. Actually, this year, there is no company party.

However, some departments can have a little party. I'm given $30/employee... can do whatever as long as I have a receipt (no, I cannot submit one from a fish store... already asked).

1) I can invite the spouses and inform everyone of the budget.
-OR-
2) Invite employees only and not worry (so much) about a budget.

From the comments above, I guess option #1 is best.

RI

[Pamela]

A company that expected their employees to agree with such a policy is not a company that would keep loyal and dependable people for long, imo

[turtlespd]

Spouses not being invited isnt a new thing. Its a corporate thing. I belive and ime know that Management usually propose these kinds of get togeathers only to mess around with the opposite sex during the party. Most of them are held at a Hotel and the Bar is usually paid for and the rooms are also( for the safety for the employee) Yeah right. Manage ment takes advantage of the situation points this out to their husbands and wifes and are off the hook. This gives them the chance to get it on!! I seen it with my virgin eyes with three diff c ompanys i have worked for.

Paul

[Boatwizard]

If the office can't afford two at the party, something tells me the Christmas bonus is gonna be a little lack-luster. :rolleyes:

[bangbang]

No way! I would not go.............Instead I would go see an Escort for a couple hours. If you go to that party without your spouse then you are just askin for a Real Big Problem! Trust me.!:D

[budhaboy]

Christmas bonus
thats a drawback about working for the feds- no bonus for Onus...

[seasquirt]

We don't get a holiday bonus, but the company does throw us a really nice party (they foot the bill), and we each get to bring one guest. I don't mind going to the holiday party - it's only once a year, and last year my boss got drunk and started bumping and grinding with the supply room guy. (By the end of the song, he had taken off his tie and was whipping her with it!)

As far as other socials, I usually don't go. My free time is my free time - I get to see all those people all day, every day.

[Wolverine]

We've passed over parties where spouses aren't invited. I'd much rather spend time with my wife than with a bunch of people from work.

Dave

[dc]

Well we get a great bonus, and a better one when there is no xmas party. Hubby's company flies everyone,(Utah, Montana,and us Wy. to Casper, put us up in a motel, feed us lobster and Prime Rib, and all the alcohol we can drink. It's rough!:D

[Wolverine]

Debi, how do we get in with that company?

[dc]

LOL! It's our reward for being on call 24/7 and gone a lot. Did I forget the shrimp cocktail, stuffed mushrooms, and other appetizers?? Oilfield, lots of hard work, the guys really deserve it, and we deserve it for putting up with it. Out of the 27 years we've been doing this, I think they have only not had about 6 parties.

[grafxguy]

I have never worked for a company that does not allow a spouse or 1 guest for a party. The agency I work for does not throw a party. We just have a small food/drink gathering and take a half day on Xmas Eve Eve.

Because of the economy I have seen my Xmas bonus shrink down allot.
My first year: $1500
Second year: $3200 + Bottle of Moet
Third year: $1700 + Bottle of Scotch
Last year: Playstation 2 + Bottle of Moet

Still good by most companies standards. I don't sweat it because after all it is a bonus.

eric

[cyclist1]

I have never been to a Christmas party where my wife was not invited. I would not attend if she could not attend with me. This is the time of year to enjoy with your family. If they can't be included in the festivities I will not be there.