Staff partying without the boss this year

Nov 22, 2008 (The Times-Tribune - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- HLT | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- While some companies are cutting back on annual holiday parties because of the tough financial times, groups of employees are finding ways to celebrate the season anyway.

Genetti Manor in Dickson City is booking fewer private parties this year, but more small groups are signing up for their holiday open house than last year.

"It's balancing out for us," said Margaret Olsewski, director of sales and marketing.

The Saturday date, Dec. 13, is already sold out, and Dec. 12 is almost sold out, she added.

Groups of about 50 or 60 employees -- including staff from hospitals, building material companies, nursing homes, emergency rooms, lawyers' offices, doctors' offices, and banks -- have booked get-togethers.

Just because the company party might be canceled doesn't mean employees can't celebrate among friends in small groups, Ms. Olsewski said.

The Scranton Hilton and Conference Center also is experiencing the trend of smaller groups.

Elaine Fields, catering sales manager, said office groups are getting together on their own now, and there have been more late bookings.

Some companies that formerly had holiday dinners are now opting for lunches, she added.

The Hilton staff has adjusted to the budgets of the companies, Ms. Fields said -- in some cases, creating or customizing menus.

An annual survey about holiday parties by the outplacement consultant firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc. found that 77 percent of companies are planning holiday parties this year, down from 90 percent last year. The survey was conducted among 100 human resources executives in various industries.

Another recent poll of human resource executives also found that limits to discretionary spending could lead to fewer office parties. The online survey, conducted by management consulting firm Towers Perrin, polled executives at companies with more than $1 billion in annual revenue.

Lackawanna County's transit authority cancelled its annual holiday get-together, which in past years has included a lunch for board members and executive staff.

"Under the circumstances, with 17 county layoffs, with what's going on in the economy, we're going to cancel it," said Tom Moran, authority chairman.

The Radisson at Lackawanna Station also is seeing a lower number of revelers compared to last year.

There are several companies returning from last year and several new clients this year, according to sales coordinator Megan Smith. The staff has worked with companies to make parties work within budget while not skimping on the fixings.

Smaller organizations, such as church groups, are opting for lunch buffets, Ms. Smith said.

One local car dealership has scaled down its numbers for an upcoming party there -- from 500 last year down to 350 this year, she said.

That could be a sign of parties scaled back nationwide.

"Now, with the economy teetering on the edge of recession, plans are becoming even more subdued with a growing percentage of companies indicating that parties will be held during the workday and only open to employees," said John Challenger, CEO of Chicago-based Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS contributed to this report.

Contact the writer: gwintermantel@timeshamrock.com

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