This week the findings of the Chartered Management Institutes’s “Christmas Outlook” survey is doing the rounds.
The strap line for this year’s survey is “Season of goodwill – more myth than reality in UK organisations“. However, when I read through the findings I didn’t think it sounded all that bad. Then I did a quick search to find last year’s survey results. Comparing the two gives a perfect example of PR spin.
Last year’s survey was entitled “Traditional values are returning to the workplace with many executives banishing the ‘Scrooge mentality’ to Christmas past.” It was an upbeat piece revealing “that the attitude of UK managers has changed over the last 12 months, as many extend the spirit of good will and encourage festive fun”.
But when you compare the figures in the key areas of interest for employees (ie, are we having a Christmas party and who is paying for it) there’s not much difference year on year.
This year 72% of organisations will hold Christmas parties for their staff. That’s apparently bad compared to 74% last year. In 2006 34 per cent of organisations said they will make no financial contribution towards end-of-year celebrations. However, last year “In a show of generosity to their staff” 67 per cent of organisations contributed towards the cost of the celebrations. That’s a difference of 1%!!
It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it?!
