With all the mandated expense cuts and layoffs going on, has any Business Unit or Work Group eliminated or drastically changed its policy on Holiday parties and off site luncheons this year?
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Expats in Venezuela had a fancy dance party with spouses. It seems there are still enough money and happiness to celebrate.
B.S. to that last post.
@1qhp, we are! Watching the ivory towers passing by now. What a view! Just shared your post with my colleagues in HR, and a few senior management types who joined us. What a laugh! Merry Christmas,everyone!
Well then, enjoy the company's last splurge. Early next year, many more employees will be paying the tab. Merry Christmas.
It's true. I block booked the rooms myself. After dealing with so many layoff issues over the last several months, nobody is expected to be able to drive home tonight, and the rooms were cheaper than the limo service.
BS to that last post.
My division in HR will be having our holiday party tonight at the revolving restaurant Spindletop at the Hyatt Hotel here in Houston. We will eat, drink, and be merry while we watch the city roll by, and the company has actually reserved rooms there at the Hyatt for us so we won't have to worry about driving home. Trust me, nobody in HR cares about any of the layoffs, or any of you, as our jobs are very secure. We are simply the instruments of upper management, and will still be here long after the dead wood (yes, that phrase is entirely correct) is gone.
The DWEP party tomorrow at 1500 will blow the top off as always. At least 1000 people incl. spouses. Great food, alcohol, prizes, sushi bar, live band, etc. Gotta keep the spirit up for the remaining folks, especially with big layoffs coming in Q1/2016
@1gye - I do believe you are a HR Business Partner. You didn't have to tell us either that you didn't even know there was a downturn going on. You people act like that every day. But early next year, most of you will be told to turn off the lights when you leave the office for the last time.
My group is having its annual blowout at Treasures.
Our workgroup held our annual holiday event at the usual place, Hotel ZaZa, in the Museum District. Live band, open bar, and a great dinner (I had the swordfish). We didn't even know there was a downturn going on, because we will always be necessary to the company.
Our workgroup's 12 employees and manager had our Christmas lunch at The Petroleum Club atop the Total building today. I always wanted to go have a great lunch or dinner there. Today was the day. It was great. If you get a chance someday... have the veal, it's the best in the city. (Just jabbin a line from The Godfather).
Your boss in GOM earns way too much of a salary if he sprung for a group lunch. I guess he knows he's getting a big bonus this year after having laid off several workers. More to come in 2016.
My boss in GOM sprung for a group lunch on his own nickel.
And all they talk about at work is partying.
ITC is not having a Christmas party this year. Some groups are organizing potluck lunches, in the office but many opted to skip any type of celebration. This is just fine since the parties were simply boring. All they can talk about is work!
Poster ExCVX | Post ID: @ESbtyyQ-spu, the DWEP party is this weekend. I work in ETC-TC & today is our last day in HOU2AC before going back to HOU150. Since we have to be out of our offices by 3:00, we are having a company sponsored get-together, at the Team level, from 2-4 at a local restaurant for hors d'ouevres & drinks (alcohol allowed). We are free to go home after. It's at least a little something.
No halloween, Christmas or holiday parties in my etc unit. Nothing. Not even a smidgen. I find it a bit offensive that BU's are still going all out. Let's temper it some, no?
We went from a nice dinner with spouses to lunch at a sandwich sit down place (slightly above a Panera) with no alcohol. I've heard of others going to Ruth's Chris or similar steakhouse for lunch but word in my BU was that was too extravagant. Not sure how those places fit/justify the budget conditions.
It's over folks, at least for the next 2-3 years...
SJV had a companywide party last Saturday.
What happened to the lavish DWEP party? Invitations were sent out months ago. Did the party take place?
I don't know about every work group at ETC, but I can say that there is no big ETC-wide "Holiday" party this year and no department or company sponsored team parties that I know of. The only luncheons or offsite parties that I have heard of were planned and paid for by the attendees, or were potluck. I think it's pretty irresponsible of a BU to host a big company-paid party when budgets are being slashed and people are losing their jobs. Hopefully those managers that approve of such frivolous expenditures will get a good talking to, or better yet have the expense account requests rejected by their bosses and have to pay for the parties themselves.
Our workgroup of 17 is having our holiday lunch at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse next week. My group's manager is retiring at the end of this month. I hope this lunch doesn't turn out to be my last supper.
I retired from the company early this year after 30 years of service. Frankly, I never cared much for the lame off site holiday lunch parties my department organized the last few years. I can remember the parties we had no less than 8 years ago and going back to my first year with Chevron. We had some all-out swanky parties with live band, open bar, full buffet assortment and fine hors d'oeuvres. The parties were held in the nicest ball rooms and country clubs at night. Parties lasted to well past midnight. Everyone turned out with their spouses, well dressed in suits and party dresses. The company gave away classy door prizes every 30 minutes and everyone talked about the party for weeks. Back then, the company called it a Christmas party and the open bar was just that (no silly free drink tickets). Those were the days.