No Scrooges here.
Employers are really embracing the holiday spirit this year. More companies are planning office holiday bashes and year end bonuses than in recent years, according to a survey of more than 3,000 employees and 2,200 hiring managers and HR professionals conducted by
Sixty-three percent of employers plan to throw a holiday party this year; most workers polled said they plan to attend, and those who do should consult my colleague Susan Adams' post about the right way to be remembered as the belle of the office holiday ball. But nearly every one of them shares the view of Charles' Shultz's Sally, who asked that Santa "just send money;" 96% of employees like the idea of a cash bonus over a party.
Glad tidings for these folks: 46% of employers plan on filling stockings with bonus checks this year. Though that's up just a hair over last year, more than a tenth of those employers planning to give bonuses say they'll be fatter than last year.
Roughly one fifth of workers reported plans to purchase holiday gifts for co-workers and a nearly equal percentage plan to buy gifts for the boss. The bulk of those planning to play Santa at the office said they'll spend $25 or less. Roughly a third will spend $10 or less and 10% will spend $5 or less.
As part of the survey, CareerBuilder looked at some of the most unusual gifts exchanged in the workplace at the holidays, with highlights including a box of Hot Pockets, a 'gun of the day' calendar, and a bag of chips. Those considering participating in--or initiating--workplace gift giving may want to consult Forbes contributor Laura Shin's recent post on the do's and don'ts of holiday cheer in the office.
Finally, 40% percent of employers plan to give their employees gifts, while 42% will donate to charity.
The 10 Most Unusual Holiday Gifts Exchanged In The Workplace
1. A box of Hot Pockets.
2. A chess piece (just one piece, not a set).
3. A fire extinguisher.
4. A voucher for a free lawn game of the co-worker's own invention.
5. A turquoise leather vest.
6. Zombie action figures.
7. A Ziploc bag with coffee (enough to make one pot).
8. A ‘gun of the day’ calendar.
9. A bag of chips.
10. A Christmas ornament with the co-worker’s and spouse's photos on it.
For everything from what to give your boss to whether your significant other should attend the office party, check out our recap of last week's #AskForbes chat.
See also:
How Not To Behave At The Office Party
Office Holiday Gifts: Who To Include, How Much To Spend And What To Buy
The Ultimate End-of-Year Tipping Guide: Who To Tip, How Much And Other Rules
In pictures: The 10 Most Unusual Holiday Gifts Exchanged In The Workplace
