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Break from the Grind December 15, 2015
Employers Doing More for Holidays This Year
Reported by Rebecca Moore
Twenty-one percent of workers say they plan to buy holiday gifts for co-workers (the same proportion as last year), and nearly the same proportion (20%) plan to buy a gift for the boss, according to CareerBuilder’s annual holiday survey.
Of those who plan to buy gifts for their co-workers or bosses, the majority (80%) expect to spend no more than $25 on each gift, 36% will spend no more than $10, and 9% will cap themselves off at $5.
According to the survey, a higher percentage of employers plan to offer holiday perks in the form of parties, bonuses and gifts this year than in years’ past.
Two thirds (66%) of employers say they plan to throw company holiday parties this year, up from 63% in 2014 and 59% in 2013. Though nearly two in five workers (38%) say they plan to attend the office holiday party, the overwhelming majority (93%) say they would prefer a holiday bonus or time off, while only 1% prefer a party, and 6% have no preference.
Some employees may get their bonus wishes. More than half of employers (54%) plan to give employees a holiday bonus this year, up from 47% in 2014. More than one in 10 employers say they will give a larger bonus than last year (14%).
NEXT: Most unusual gifts receivedForty-five percent of employers will give employees gifts this year (up from 40% in 2014), and 47% will give charitable donations.
For the survey, workers across the nation shared the most unusual gifts they’ve received from a co-worker during the holiday season.
- A squirrel toilet seat decal;
- A pair of Christmas socks that look like elf feet;
- A roll of duct tape;
- A bell on a string;
- A mystery bag with a coat in it;
- A giant heart shaped box of candy … from Valentine’s Day;
- A picture of a bear;
- A bowling ball;
- Homemade sausages; and
- A ceramic sheep you can dress up seasonally.