Should spouses/partners be invited to work Christmas/holiday parties?

Question

Everywhere i've worked, spouses/partners have been invited. Here, it seems to be the case less often. What do you think?

ha, not to 'work' the Christmas parties, rather, to celebrations taking place at one's partner's place of work.

My own feeling is that it's polite to invite spouses to off-site dos, if they can pay their own plate or the company can afford it.

Answer 1

Especially when office parties are held outside of office hours, it is a general courtesy to invite employees to bring a date. This is time where you are basically required to be around your co-workers (most of which you probably wouldn't normally choose to spend time with) and to ask you to do so without the company of your spouse or significant other is not very considerate. It's like working without getting paid.

Answer 2

It depends on the type of party and the size of the company throwing it. If it's a big company and it's just a party in like a reception hall or something, then I don't see why spouses can't be invited. Where I work, there are only 8 girls who work there and it is a privately owned business. For Christmas, our boss and his wife take the 8 of us out to dinner at a nice sit-down restaurant, and he pays for all of our dinners. In that case, we don't invite spouses because then it would get really expensive for him.

Answer 3

I personally think it's better without spouses/significant others. Our company parties are for us only, no spouses. Everyone in the office complains about our boss being cheap, etc. but that's not the reasoning behind it.

The office party is a time for all of us at work to get to know each other in a different environment. If we bring spouses/significant others we're too busy keeping an eye on them and making sure they're having a good time (because chances are they won't know anyone there).

In my experience, the parties are more fun and you get to know your co-workers better if the spouses/significant others aren't around. You'd spend half your night just introducing each other to everyone.

Answer 4

Actually, I've never been to an office party where spouses were invited, and I had a blast at every one. And the parties were all at places other than the office. One time at a fancy french restaurant, the other at Medieval Times and One at a super fancy steak house.

Some people (a lot of people) complained about not being able to bring someone, but everyone who went to any of the office parties I went to all had a great time.

Without spouses there it gives you a chance to see your coworkers in a different light. The last one I went to I sat next to these two guys I never really talked to and we ended up cracking up all night long. I never would have gotten to know them like that if not for the party.

And if people find it so horrible, stay at home. At every party I know someone who did that, too. Was it frowned upon? Yes, but people make their own choices. And if someone can't stomach sitting down with their co-workers for 2 hours, so be it.

Answer 5

It depends on how the company plans their parties. Many holiday parties are luncheons for just the employees. Usually spouses are invited if the party is a formal evening affair either out or at a bosses' home.

Answer 6

I've never worked anywhere that invited spouses, but I went to one with my ex-husband and was bored out of my mind! I didn't know anyone there and they were all talking shop, which I knew nothing about. I see no reason for spouses to go to the company party.

Answer 7

It depends on the party. If it's a nice, formal gathering at a place away from the office with dinner and drinks, it's nice to have significant others along. However, if it's a party at the office the last couple hours of the day, it's more appropriate that it's just employees.

Answer 8

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Answer 9

I find that spouses tend to look a little lost at their partners work related events.

Answer 10

Depends on the party. If it's at work, during the work day... No.
If it's a party at a different location off duty hours... yes.