Business is Up, But Holiday Parties are Flat: The Time-Honored Tradition is Changing

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Dec 01, 2014, 09:35 ET

NEW YORK, Dec. 1, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- An ongoing rebound from the recession and expected growth in 2015 are no reason for celebration, according to the annual survey of corporate America's holiday party plans conducted by Battalia Winston, a leading global executive search firm.

The survey, now in its 26^th year, reports that only 88 percent of companies polled will have a party this holiday season—down from 96 percent in 2013 and 91 percent in 2012.

Percentage of Companies Having Holiday Parties 1989-2014

Is the dip in parties the result of a recession mentality, similar to what we saw in the post-Great Depression years? Battalia Winston Chairwoman and CEO, Dale Winston, thinks so. "Companies became more economical during the recession, and it's possible that financial restraint, even when it's not required, will be the new standard."

The dramatic decrease is particularly unexpected considering that respondents—senior leadership from companies across the nation—indicate that their companies are performing very well. Over 60 percent of respondents said their company was on track to grow and hire in 2015, and nearly 25 percent said their company's size would remain consistent. Only a meager 7 percent of companies expect to consolidate next year. Furthermore, 58 percent of companies said that even though their business had grown since 2013, their parties would not be any more lavish than last year.

The decrease could also be attributed to a continued increase in teleworking. The survey found that a growing number of companies are foregoing parties because their employees work remotely. There was a noticeable increase—from 5 percent to 14 percent—in respondents reporting that a dispersed or remote workforce made holiday parties impossible.

The renewed sense of frugality extends beyond the party budget. About 70 percent of businesses will limit the guest list to employees only (no spouses or guests) and 62 percent of companies will decline from giving their employees a holiday gift.

While companies continue to participate in charitable giving during the holiday season, well-performing companies aren't being any more generous than their struggling counterparts: 65 percent of both consolidating and growing companies are donating to charity, and about 15 percent of both groups will participate in company-sponsored volunteer activities.

Key Survey Findings

Business is Up, But Parties are Flat.

Nearly 79 percent of companies will refrain from throwing a more lavish party this year, even though 72 percent experienced improved performance in 2014 and 60 percent expect growth in 2015.

A comparison of companies that consolidated versus those that grew in 2014 shows that both groups are having similar types of parties, despite the performance differences. About 50 percent of both groups plan to have their party at a restaurant. A slightly higher percentage of consolidating companies plan to have their party at the office (25 percent, as compared to 18 percent of growing companies). While fewer consolidating companies are serving alcohol, the difference is not overwhelming: 73 percent of growing companies versus 65 percent of consolidating companies.

Budget Choices—Not Economic Climate—Prevent Parties.

Of the 18 percent of companies not holding a holiday party this year, 40 percent cited "budget reasons." Nearly 14 percent said that employees were not interested in a party, while only 5 percent said that they thought having a party was inappropriate because of the economic times, a drastic dip from 2013, when 50 percent of party-foregoers said that a celebration would be inappropriate.

The Daytime Party Trend Holds Steady.

Of the companies holding parties, 56 percent will celebrate in the evening, while 43 percent will celebrate at lunch. The trend toward lunchtime parties continues (43 percent in 2012 and 47 percent in 2013).

Bottoms Up! Day Drinking is on the Rise.

Similar to years past, drinks will be served at 73 percent of parties (up just 1 percent from 2013), while some companies continue to abstain (27 percent). However, many companies will be participating in some day drinking this year, with nearly 40 percent of lunchtime office parties offering adult beverages.

Companies Will Use Non-Pay Incentives to Boost Morale.

A majority of companies (61 percent) are taking steps to boost employee morale in the year to come, down just 5 percent from 2013, but most (over 50 percent) are using non-pay incentives to do so, i.e. offering flexible schedules, training and team building, and public performance recognition. Only 14 percent said they would give pay raises.

Summary

Last year, after two consecutive years of 90+ percent of companies having holiday parties, Battalia Winston asked if throwing holiday parties was returning to a regular part of corporate life. The data this year indicates that corporate leaders are resetting expectations, says Dale Winston: "The high percentage of holiday parties in 2012 and 2013 was a signal that the economy was rebounding, but now that growth has been steady for a few years, companies are reestablishing a baseline. A successful year and a normal rate of growth are becoming the norm, not an anomalous event that calls for a lot of hoopla."

The 2014 Battalia Winston nationwide survey was conducted among a cross-section of 114 companies.

About Battalia Winston:
Battalia Winston has been successfully meeting client needs in executive recruitment for more than 50 years and is currently ranked as one of the nation's 20 largest retained executive search firms, as well as one of the world's largest woman-owned search firms. Headquartered in New York City, the firm also has offices in Edison, NJ, Flemington, NJ, Boston, Washington, D.C., and Chicago. Battalia Winston is an agile and uniquely flexible firm and their culture is focused on providing highly personalized, responsive client service.

Media Contact:

Cara Silverman
212-616-8808
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SOURCE Battalia Winston