How Do I Get Out Of The Christmas 'Do'?

[Treacle71]

They're arranging a Christmas night out in December at work. The email reads 'management want to thank us for our hard work this year', but we're to pay £35 for this 'thank you' ourselves.  They're not paying.  I can't afford £35 this Christmas, plus the venue is far from where I live.  It's also on a night I don't work; so I'd have to travel in on my day off.  I don't want to go. How can I get them to accept I pure and simply don't want to go? I only like my own friends to socialise with and I never socialise with people from work. Guy in the office doesn't seem to understand 'no' and is pushy.

[Mozz71]

I don't see the problem, just tell them you don't think you should have to pay and say you aren't going. Nobody forces you to attend work functions.

[Treacle71]

That is just typical canary.  I hate meanness.  

[Canary42]

There are some amazingly contrasting behaviours. At another job I was in a small team (4) and the boss called a team meeting every Friday, in a local pub at lunchtime. We bought our own drinks but he funded the food (which incidentally was very good).  And we didn't talk business all the time. 

[Treacle71]

I've been in very very generous jobs too, canary, but this one we don't get a crumb.  Last year we got from one of the loaded bosses an advent calendar (given to us on the 9th Dec I must stress) with a tea bag behind each door of the calendar - to be shared between 9 of us!!!

[bednobs]

arent you a part-time agency worker though?

[Treacle71]

Yes, bednobs.

[barry1010]

Just be gracious and decline politely. 

[bednobs]

Then they are not even your employer...your agency is.  Great thing about agaency work is that you dont pwe them any loyalty.  However, they owe you none either

[Treacle71]

I'm not employed by an agency.  I'm employed by their internal  company temp dept (like a staff bank).

[DDIL]

I don't see what the issue is - if you don't want to go don't go!

I don't see why you struggle to tell a colleague you don't like that you don't want to go but can challenge your neighbours over a bit of dust.

[Treacle71]

Gosh, wish it was a bit of dust.  The dust is just the tip of the iceberg.     

[bednobs]

so then if you are looking for Xmas presents/freebies/thanks you should look to temp direct, your employers

[Treacle71]

I'm not looking for Xmas presents/freebies/thanks you at all.  I'm wishing to decline.

[DDIL]

Just send the following email.

Thank you for your kind invite, I will however not be attending, I wish you all a fun night though.

[Mozz71]

Treacle, what exactly is stopping you from turning down the offer?

[Old_Geezer]

Tell the guy in the office that he needs to understand what, "No", means. (And what you think of any "Secret Santa" nonsense as well.)

[Treacle71]

Thank you late repliers xxx

[ToraToraTora]

https://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/ChatterBank/Question1880382.html

 

[youngmafbog]

//Great thing about agaency work is that you dont pwe them any loyalty. //

No, but it usually pays to attend these things and be paert of the Team.  Especially when renewal comes round.

I've been a contractor for most of my working life, I hate these things but go simply to be seen playing my part.

[sandyRoe]

How about a white lie?  Tell them you've family committments for that evening.