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Employers Continue to Be Rightfully Cautious of Holiday Expenditures

Guest post by: Jessica Ollenburg

Article Overview: Employees and employers agree upon cost containment and proper ROI strategies for holiday spending. Holiday strategies today find new expectations and new opportunity for organizational goal attainment.

Employers Continue to Be Rightfully Cautious of Holiday Expenditures

Employees continue to be skeptical of lavish employer holiday parties, and employers find opportunity in containing holiday costs. With the economic damage of the past several years, cutting back and cautious spending is greatly appreciated by all. Employees who have suffered economically do not wish to see their rewards sacrificed for a holiday blowout.

75% of employees tell us they'd rather see bonus or investment into their advancement/security. 80% of employers tell us they are holding to the same cost-wise practices with no more than modest increase over the past few years' practices. Some are even cutting back further after learning past years' efforts were not as appreciated as hoped.

The days of the "boss" calling employees onto the carpet to "kiss the ring" are over, and employers of choice recognize that employees want holiday celebrations that actually provide reward and appreciation. Mandatory participation can be a deterrent from perceived value. Allowing employees to plan their own rewards is the most appreciated choice. To facilitate good sense outcomes, guidelines and budgets need to be set for employee committees. The employer needs final control to ensure risk management and organizational goal attainment.

Lavish expenditures are often resented by employees who suffered pay cut or layoff. A sensible demonstration of company pride, forward movement, optimism and team appreciation is, however, a wise investment. Safety and liquor liabilities remain primary concerns. Depending upon team demographics, popular substitutes to parties include bonus, gift certificate or "your choice" menu items. The latter two offer repeat value. For many, cash disappears as it hits the pocket, creating only single impact of reward. Certificates can have more lasting and/or multiple impacts of reward. The reward comes not only in the receipt but also in the use. If the use is a lasting experience, the employee enjoys a more lasting reward.

One year ago this month we commented our findings as the expert source to The Business Journal. The topic was so well received and the findings so valuable, that the article was quickly globally syndicated with a cover bullet. The popularity of this topic has not wavered, so we have accordingly provided this annual update.

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Article Tags: cost containment, expenditures, goal attainment, holiday spending, organizational goal



Related Forum Posts
Re: Moderators on vacation - This moderator is not going on Holiday. I am here
Re: Vacation for Evan - Have a Happy Holiday and have fun!
Re: What are your June Goals? - Nice Evan, congrats on your book draft Finish the goals I didn't finish in May - smiles I want to clean up my primary Gmail account Finish my new websites Continue my 3rd edition of 3 volumes or ..... many smaller new editions Lean more about Penguin Read/re-read a book a day Evaluate Kindle There you go; that is a start since I have never posted goals before
Landmark forum - I took the Landmark Forum and the whole curriculum. It had a tremendous impact on my life and my relationships. Specifically in the relation of business - I took the Forum 10 years ago. Within a year I was out of $25k of debt, bought first rental property and got to 4 within 3 years. I excelled in my Sales and management role with my employer during the same period becoming a sales leader in a $6 billion national company. Coached Junior Achievement, sharing my experiences. Continued to follow dreams and focused on creating opportunity- left company to continue to pursue real estate with a homebuilder and became an owner/partner. Continue to pursue opportunities that has brought me together with a network of entrepreneurs. Living the dream. Landmark assisted with making personal commitment and realizing the strength of your word. We all know what we are capable of - what stands in our way is action. Take it today!
Office gifts,help settle this one... - Ok- I wasn't sure where to post this, so I just stuck it in the forum I moderate. I think I've mentioned before that I work a full time job (outside of my home businesses), in a business financial brokerage. that being said, see if you can settle this one- Every year during December Holiday time, we receive gift baskets in the office from the banks/ Lenders we work with. My boss, although very generous all year long, will take most of the gift baskets home for he and his family. I'm talking a heck of a lot of gift baskets! My view on this is that when a gift basket is sent to an office, it should be enjoyed by everyone because we all work as a team equally as hard. We (the staff) believe that although most of the baskets are addressed to our boss, they are meant for "the office" because last year one of the lenders found out that my boss took it home (our office manager blew the whistle there) and the bank got upset and sent another one just for the staff! What is everyone's take on this, does he have the right to take it all home and "hog" the gift? If it happens again this year, should something be mentioned to him and if so, what/how?


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