Okay I accept your points Paheli, like I said, it was my decision not to go so I guess I shouldn't whine about it too much.
Here's a question for everyone else.
Do you go out for xmas dinners/drinks a lot? By a lot, I mean regularly every year, or with a lot of colleagues more than one? To what extent would you get involved with the festivities, especially with work colleagues? I've spoken to a few people about this and the answer has really ranged from 'nothing at all' to 'I put a christmas tree up, tinsels, trimmings and all'. Also, do you think this infringes in your personal beliefs in any way if you choose to celebrate xmas?
Please don't take this as a dig at anyone who does get involved with the festivities, I don't really see a problem with socialising and getting ito the xmas spirit if it makes you happy. Also I don't celebrate xmas but I do get excited about New Years (fireworks, yaaaaaaaayyy)
I would be well angries, howeves, knowing government jobs and the whole complaints prodecure I say you smile and nod. Maybees hoye in a sarcastic 'il sit and here and do all the work whilst youse lot get pissed, have fun!' as they leave. Hehe. Don't do that, I jesting.
My sister works for DWP and some of the people she has had to work with are AWFUL! She's worked in that department in the North, and the Midlands where brown people are very rare, and now works in London where there are tons of brown people in her office, and the people down South are a LOT worse with their behaviour. One of her 'bosses' deleted an email from the head boss which said to give my sister a bonus, HR did nowt.
If you want to stick around for one more year , do not get on your boss's bad side. Be a team player and cover for everybody and they might return the favor some other day.
If you cry wolf with HR on such a trivial matter you will lose your credibility with HR too.
^ I had agreed to go out for the christmas lunch that was initially planned but then it changed to a drink at the local pub. I won't be going to that because I'm not too keen to sip on orange juice in beer glasses and make small talk, while the rest gradually get sloshed and start making inappropriate comments about each other lol.
Okay I accept your points Paheli, like I said, it was my decision not to go so I guess I shouldn't whine about it too much.
Here's a question for everyone else.
Do you go out for xmas dinners/drinks a lot? By a lot, I mean regularly every year, or with a lot of colleagues more than one? To what extent would you get involved with the festivities, especially with work colleagues? I've spoken to a few people about this and the answer has really ranged from 'nothing at all' to 'I put a christmas tree up, tinsels, trimmings and all'. Also, do you think this infringes in your personal beliefs in any way if you choose to celebrate xmas?
Please don't take this as a dig at anyone who does get involved with the festivities, I don't really see a problem with socialising and getting ito the xmas spirit if it makes you happy. Also I don't celebrate xmas but I do get excited about New Years (fireworks, yaaaaaaaayyy)
I sort of have to put up a xmas tree in my classroom for the kids, I chose to work in the school that I do, and whilst it is not a COE or RC school, it is mainly white/British/Christian children and christmas is a big deal. I do go out for work xmas dos too, they are always in resturants and there are always other people not drinking and they are they are driving.
Yeah working for the govt really gets you screwed over sometimes. tsk. Also @Milly , did your sister manage to do anything about the bonus?? That is something worth fighting for, forget my titchy issue! bloomin heck.
My sister says the same thing, don't make an issue out of nothing and get on the boss' bad side. The best thing to do is just quietly get your own back on them later on where they won't even know what you did. Hmmm....
^ I had agreed to go out for the christmas lunch that was initially planned but then it changed to a drink at the local pub. I won't be going to that because I'm not too keen to sip on orange juice in beer glasses and make small talk, while the rest gradually get sloshed and start making inappropriate comments about each other lol.
Yeah working for the govt really gets you screwed over sometimes. tsk. Also @Milly , did your sister manage to do anything about the bonus?? That is something worth fighting for, forget my titchy issue! bloomin heck.
My sister says the same thing, don't make an issue out of nothing and get on the boss' bad side. The best thing to do is just quietly get your own back on them later on where they won't even know what you did. Hmmm....
She currently doesnt have a line manager so it's proving difficult to get anything sorted, but my sister isnt the sort of person to let anything go, she will sort them out as soon as she can.
Whenever my work lot have gone to the pub, I stay for 1 diet coke - which you can drink a lot quicker than wine/beer and then leave. Show yer face, network (hard to do with teachers as we dont need to BC to get a promotion) and then leave. Job done. I personally believe that as I have chosen to work and live in a country where pub socials are cultural norms it's not such a big deal for me to attend pub socials once in a while. No one has ever forced me to drink or been rude or aggressive to me when drunk. They are usually just merry and are more willing to go along with my suggestions for activies that will prove to be very entertaining for me to watch :D
Its a this ime vs next time issue
based on what u noted, If i were you I would just stay back at the office, but will not break my back, i would work as if it was a normal day
next time around, go and bail as soon as is okay to.
that.......
come what may in future.......handle that when time comes.......for now......just stay and work normally.....
tell him you declined cuz while they go out for drinks...you need to attend some other party or dinner or w.e you will have planned. why else would you declineeee! simpleee.
Stay back, do not work, order pizza or burgers, sip on coffee, post on GS, chat around..... in short enjoy.
Btw you can ask your boss to approve the cost for the lunch/dinner you have in office. Since everyone else is getting free drinks, you can at least have a free lunch.
Other than that I agree to what your sis and X2 said.
Sometimes you end up getting to know people you otherwise wouldn’t. Because its a casual setting, its easier to connect with your colleagues, manager, etc.
I have gone to the office parties and socialized. I never had to drink or be around anyone belligerent. It was a standing joke that I would be having a kiddie cocktail…and most of the time it was ordered without me having to! I love those things…lol. Paheli’s antibiotic excuse has also come to my rescue.
You have to remember that you have more control over these situations than you think.
That’s what I’d do. Show your face, say hello to everyone, chit chat and then “oh gosh, would you look at the time?! i have a train to catch! you guys are so much fun i lose track of time, bubye everyone!”
Do the happy holidays because there’s nothing wrong with that. Wishing someone a great holiday is fine, even if they don’t really recognize yours. To a certain extent, its fine. If its OTT where your co-workers are going to church together…no.
Ohh Maddy you moose, I'd say your lucky it's only going out for drinks. My workplace is doing the whole black tie Xmas ball shabang. Two days to go, I've tried on every evening gown under the sun and yet to find a suitable dress. I am literally crying into my desk. :/
I've been in this position many a times. The majority of the time I've been fine because I'd go for the meal at a restaurant and then tiddle off before everyone makes their way over to the pub to get p-ed. But, there was this one year where there was no meal and it was just "drinks" at some social club. I opted out, so I was told to stay behind at the office for the remainder of the afternoon. I was actually having the time of my life; whole office to myself, MSN and facebook glued to the screen, when suddenly (much to my disgust) my manager walked in and sat right opposite me for the final hour or so. I should've stuck a drawing pin to his chair! grinds teeth But getting to the point...I think you should just grin and bear it. Yes, it sucks big time but just think; it's only for a few hours, you don't have to pick your colleagues up from the floor and you'll gain a few extra brownie points. It's a win-win situation.
LOOLLL Nazi, that’s like, every girl’s problem on GS right now! My SIL had a hollywood themed xmas party and she was running around for ages trying to get a dress. thank shizzle i don’t have to bother with all that, I can’t be asked and I’m not feeling well
I sit right next to my manager, i have this problem all the time, plus all our social networking sites are blocked on our computers…it’s just a matter of time before they figure out about GS I think!
Maddy I think next time you should go out to get ‘drinks’, have your virgin pina colada and leave before they all get drunk. simple.
But as for right now, like others said, you’re stuck and don’t bother to complain, it’ll get your no where. Instead you can chat with me from the office
