Ducking out of your work Christmas party this year? You’re not alone, as new research reveals that almost a quarter (23%) of UK office workers are planning on doing the same.

The research suggests that workplace relationships in 2024 leave much to be desired, with top reasons for non-attendance at office Christmas parties including not enjoying them (31%), not wanting to spend any more time with colleagues (24%), and avoiding drunk colleagues (19%).

The survey of over 1,000 UK office workers commissioned by team building and corporate events company, Team Tactics, also identified divided camps on the issue of alcohol at work Christmas parties.

While 43% of respondents said that drinking alcohol at work Christmas parties helps them to relax and enjoy themselves and 1 in 5 admit to drinking ‘a lot’ at these events, the boozy party culture is off-putting to others.

A quarter of office workers said they feel under pressure to drink alcohol at Christmas parties and 45% said they find drunk colleagues annoying – a sentiment more commonly felt by Gen X workers (49%) and Baby Boomers (53%).

Almost half (48%) of office workers said the focus on alcohol and getting drunk doesn’t appeal to them, while 42% are in agreement that Christmas parties are too reliant on alcohol and getting drunk.

Problematic behaviours also appear to stem from booze-fuelled events, with 47% saying that they find drunk colleagues can be inappropriate, and 41% admitting to feeling uncomfortable around drunk colleagues.

Meanwhile, Gen Z workers appear to be divided on attitudes towards booze. While almost a quarter (24%) admit to drinking a lot at Christmas parties and 35% say alcohol helps them to relax and enjoy themselves, there’s a steadfast sober cohort. Over 1 in 5 (22%) of Gen Z office workers say they don’t drink alcohol – the highest proportion of any age group surveyed.

The research also suggested that it might be time for organisations to consider an alternative to the boozy Christmas do. 40% of respondents said they’d rather do an activity or something different with their colleagues. This was felt more widely among millennial workers, with almost half (48%) saying they’d prefer an alternative.

Commenting on the research, Tina Benson, founder and managing director of Team Tactics, said: “Among the different attitudes and preferences towards work Christmas parties, it’s sad to learn that so many employees feel negatively towards spending time with coworkers outside of office hours, and that some are made to feel excluded, pressured or uncomfortable as a result of alcohol-fuelled behaviour from colleagues. For those that want to celebrate it, Christmas should be about coming together, building on relationships, and having fun.

“While many employees may still enjoy and look forward to a Christmas party, it might be time for organisations to rethink their typical festive ‘knees-up’ or consider organising an alternative activity that’s more inclusive and appealing to all members of the team. Uniting colleagues behind an important cause or charity mission can be incredibly powerful, simultaneously driving positive change for team dynamics and communities in need.”

For more information about the research, visit https://www.teamtactics.co.uk/blog/rethinking-the-christmas-party/