Internet is split over company vacation celebration fake pas – however who’s in the fitting?
A New York City influencer has divided the internet with her hot take on corporate holiday party invites.
Piper Phillips, a content creator who previously worked in the corporate world, posted a video to her 93,000 TikTok followers ranting about a friend’s work Christmas party that does not allow them to bring a plus one.
‘They get dressed up in attire that is fancy, dresses, whatever, and they do not bring their significant others. I think this is weird,’ Phillips said, recalling a conversation she had with a friend.
She imagined as a 24-year-old woman it would be awkward to get dressed up and go to a party where an older male boss is also attending without their partners and have unfettered access to alcohol.
‘Where there is an open bar, when there’s alcohol, I mean especially in conservative, more male dominated industries, I think it seems strange knowing that there’s less young women in their 20s there and there’s going to be your bosses in positions of power with an open bar and no other significant others, no wives,’ Phillips said.
‘It seems really uncomfortable to me, especially with the way our society has glorified the Christmas party, open bar, it just seems really inappropriate.’
Her comment section was divided – with some people arguing it is normal to not invite others because it is a bonding event for colleagues.
‘I don’t think this is weird at all. It’s just a good way for coworkers to connect,’ one person said.
Piper Phillips (pictured) posted a video to her 93,000 TikTok followers ranting about a friend’s work Christmas party that does not allow them to bring a plus one
The content creator imagined, as a 24-year-old woman, that it would be awkward to get dressed up and go to a party where an older male boss is also attending
‘I think it’s normal and I don’t want to be a single person hanging out with my coworkers spouses,’ said another.
A third person said, ‘This is normal. Why would your spouse need to be at a WORK event with you?’
‘This is super normal. I’d think someone who can’t go to a work event without their significant other’s supervision is in a very toxic relationship,’ said a fourth.
Some pointed out it is expensive for companies to put on these events and they save money by not allowing guests.
‘Holiday parties are expensive and not everyone has a partner so if you cut partners out you save money and often more people attend,’ one person said.
‘That’s weird. Glad my work isn’t cheap,’ said another.
Others agreed with content creator Phillips stating their time outside of work hours is meant to with their family and if they can’t bring their partners they will not go.
‘If I’m getting dressed up in anything but my normal work clothes (or a silly sweater), or if it’s anything more formal than a happy hour, it’s inappropriate/cheap to not offer plus ones,’ one person said.
Recent polling found that 87 percent of workers would choose a Christmas bonus or gift card over a staff party
A second person said, ‘I would not go to a corporate party without my partner. Why would I spend my free time with coworkers?’
‘I agree, I hate a corporate Christmas party and I know it costs more to bring guests but let’s just skip the party and give out a Christmas bonus,’ said another.
‘I think it would just be so much more fun and interesting to meet and bring partners. I see my coworkers daily already,’ a fourth person said.
Recent polling found that 87 percent of workers would choose a Christmas bonus or gift card over a staff party.
Surprisingly, when asked if they wanted any kind of work celebration at all 63 percent said ‘no.’
With an increasing number of office workers based at home for at least part of the working week, the art of socializing and mingling with colleagues appears to be dying.
