Year End Functions

[Cius]

Just got the invite for ours. Early Dec and its during the work day. I would have had to be in the office so if they are gonna pay me to go to a venue and drink and eat food I did not buy happy to do it. The venue is even closer to me than work and against traffic so no reason not to go. If I did I would just have to work anyways so happy to chill at a venue and chat to people I generally get along well with. Will duck early after lunch and then it's like a free half day almost.

 

[semaphore]

Don’t work with kak people.

I don’t, but I also have zero interesting spending my weekends with them.

I’m contractually obligated to X hours a week, anything over and above that falls into overtime pay.

You want me to socialize, you’ll have to pay me to do it.

 

[semaphore]

Pack some high quality gummies and see how it shortens a weekend into a distant memory.

The unfortunate side effect of edibles is greenies for me, so I avoid.

 

[SauRoNZA]

I don’t, but I also have zero interesting spending my weekends with them.

I’m contractually obligated to X hours a week, anything over and above that falls into overtime pay.

You want me to socialize, you’ll have to pay me to do it.

That attitude is the epitome of being a kak person and would never make it in my team.

Culture goes far beyond obligations and contracts, it's why you can't simply force it on people.

It's paid for in the sense that it doesn't cost anyone anything.

 

[SauRoNZA]

Pack some high quality gummies and see how it shortens a weekend into a distant memory.

There is some of that on said weekend as well, for those who care to partake.

We've got a whole variety of people and everyone gets catered to uniquely, including one colleague who flies in from Malaysia every other year and we make everything as halal as possible for him.

 

[Goosfrabba]

This year we not have an office wide event after hours.

This year they will give us time off during working hours with a small budget for each team to go for lunch. Where we go is up to us. Free lunch so i am happy with that

 

[semaphore]

That attitude is the epitome of being a kak person and would never make it in my team.

What because I know where my obligation ends and my personal time begins.

You may see it as a kak attitude, I see it as a clear set of boundaries.

Culture goes far beyond obligations and contracts,

I could care less about the culture angle, it’s just a tactic to get your employees in perpetual servitude.

Companies that go through hard core cultural interviews do it to see just how far they can reap from you. I’ve turned down many jobs based on cultural interviews alone.

It's paid for in the sense that it doesn't cost anyone anything.

Of course it does. You’re eating into the personal time of the people. If they choose to attend fine. But, the ones that don’t want to their choice should also be respected .(maybe you do, or you don’t I don’t know.). But don’t try to spin that it costs nothing. Time is an exceptionally valuable currency, definitely not something I’m going to spend on more when they get 80+ hours of it already.

 

[SauRoNZA]

when they get 80+ hours of it already.

Now it all makes sense.

That right there is the failure point that cascades into everything else.

 

[neoprema]

What because I know where my obligation ends and my personal time begins.

You may see it as a kak attitude, I see it as a clear set of boundaries.


I could care less about the culture angle, it’s just a tactic to get your employees in perpetual servitude.

Companies that go through hard core cultural interviews do it to see just how far they can reap from you. I’ve turned down many jobs based on cultural interviews alone.


Of course it does. You’re eating into the personal time of the people. If they choose to attend fine. But, the ones that don’t want to their choice should also be respected .(maybe you do, or you don’t I don’t know.). But don’t try to spin that it costs nothing. Time is an exceptionally valuable currency, definitely not something I’m going to spend on more when they get 80+ hours of it already.

I am so glad you don't work for me lol. Said with no offense of course

 

[Lupus]

That attitude is the epitome of being a kak person and would never make it in my team.

Culture goes far beyond obligations and contracts, it's why you can't simply force it on people.

It's paid for in the sense that it doesn't cost anyone anything.

I'm kinda with him, the line between personal and work needs to be drawn. You might be fine going out on a weekend to spend time with work colleagues, but others might prefer spending time with family and friends.

 

[Akasha]

I like the Entelect year ends (husband works there)
The employees gather at specific areas (malls like Eastgate) and are transported on buses to the venue. Nobody (except the need to knows) knows where they're going. They have a full venue to themselves with food & drink trucks (multiple different options). They also have games and treasure hunts etc., where you can get coins and trade them in for prizes

 

[SauRoNZA]

I'm kinda with him, the line between personal and work needs to be drawn. You might be fine going out on a weekend to spend time with work colleagues, but others might prefer spending time with family and friends.

Oh don't get me wrong a couple of years ago I would have said the exact same thing where everyone was just doing a job and the "team" was just a managerial construct.

That changes considerably when the team becomes organic and people WANT to do this of their own accord, which is ultimately what you strive for.

It is such a thing that other people from other teams have hinted at getting invited and I'm actually considering it this year.

It's one all expenses paid weekend to let your hair down, and you do pretty much get the Friday off from work as well. By and large a thank you for the year's hard work and going above and beyond and people look forward to it, so much so we've had ex-colleagues who have left the team come out to join us especially.

The amazing thing is that so many of our goals for the following year come out of this weekend just through casual conversation and different people spending time together that wouldn't happen otherwise.

Especially in a remote working world it's become a crucial endeavour for us and also helps our two international colleagues feel very connected to our local team.

It should be noted we don't do much in the way of other events through the year and never do the "lets go build a raft" type of crap.

 

[Lupus]

Oh don't get me wrong a couple of years ago I would have said the exact same thing where everyone was just doing a job and the "team" was just a managerial construct.

That changes considerably when the team becomes organic and people WANT to do this of their own accord, which is ultimately what you strive for.

It is such a thing that other people from other teams have hinted at getting invited and I'm actually considering it this year.

It's one all expenses paid weekend to let your hair down, and you do pretty much get the Friday off from work as well. By and large a thank you for the year's hard work and going above and beyond and people look forward to it, so much so we've had ex-colleagues who have left the team come out to join us especially.

The amazing thing is that so many of our goals for the following year come out of this weekend just through casual conversation and different people spending time together that wouldn't happen otherwise.

Especially in a remote working world it's become a crucial endeavour for us and also helps our two international colleagues feel very connected to our local team.

It should be noted we don't do much in the way of other events through the year and never do the "lets go build a raft" type of crap.

Would largely depend on the people within your team I guess, but I've been to things with this company and it's loud and raucous and way out of my comfort zone.

 

[ShaunSA]

I like the Entelect year ends (husband works there)
The employees gather at specific areas (malls like Eastgate) and are transported on buses to the venue. Nobody (except the need to knows) knows where they're going. They have a full venue to themselves with food & drink trucks (multiple different options). They also have games and treasure hunts etc., where you can get coins and trade them in for prizes

Unless the prize is a night with Henry Cavill I'm not interested

 

[Herr der Verboten]

Another debate, this one promises to be very interesting.

I, for one, avoid going to Year End Functions. I have last been to one, somewhere in 2010, and that was because I was going to be given something. Other than that, I avoid it at all costs. As for the reasons why, primarily due to bad experiences of employees going mad (getting punch drunk) and bosses being total turds on the day.

One shining example of a year-end function for me, was for all of us to go to the Action Sports Centre in Alberton, and go and run around like mad things doing all those ****ty things, followed by a pub lunch. And this went on, with the boss shouting insults and people and being a turd. Some year end function that was.

In the past, I have also not gotten food because the line workers go mad and eat all the food before you can get to it. (They get to go first because after all they build the products). That day, I was so disgusted I basically just got up and left, got to my car and met my wife at Maxis and ate there. I wasn't missed anyhow (by then company was planning to get rid of me anyway) Their previous year-end function to that one, was to take the staff to Carnivore, needless to say, you get up from your seat, the workers then take your seat, and whatever you happened to leave at the table. After these two incidents, at that company I told them I would not be attending any further year-end functions and I never did. While they went mad in the beer tent at the year end function just before I resigned, I was sitting working. Was supposed to get a Pick n Pay voucher that year, I am still waiting for it.

Previous job I had, they at least catered for this, you needed to RSVP for the year-end function. Needless to say I didn't want to have to see f**k-face after hours too, so I threw the invites into the shredder. What was really funny was, I had long since resigned, and their year end function and my wife's year end function were at the same venue, and I was invited to go with my wife, so I went, and had the most awesome fun pouring salt into their wine and tomato sauce on their chairs.

My current job, I told them in the interview, NO YEAR END FUNCTIONS, and they were fine with that. In any case, its great because my office is some km away from the head office so they cannot really make me go, I always make sure I have lots of work to do on the day for those nosy employees who want to ask silly questions. This year's one is on the 13th of December. I am busy booking leave for that date.

People still do this kak / waste money on it?

 

[SauRoNZA]

Would largely depend on the people within your team I guess, but I've been to things with this company and it's loud and raucous and way out of my comfort zone.

I'm talking about 12 people here and everyone pretty much gets to do whatever they like through the weekend other than cooking/cleaning/eating which is a shared experience.

Some sit and read, some just go chill in the pool, others take a walk down to the beach etc etc.

There's no structure or designated "team building" or any of that nonsense.

This grew out of a very small team of 7 who were genuine mates and has grown over time and remained an annual tradition.

 

[Akasha]

Unless the prize is a night with Henry Cavill I'm not interested

It's usually alcohol or gift vouchers

 

[semaphore]

I am so glad you don't work for me lol. Said with no offense of course

You wouldn’t be able to afford me, so no offense taken.

 

[semaphore]

Now it all makes sense.

That right there is the failure point that cascades into everything else.

The amount of hours is irrelevant, even if it was 40 my points still stand.

FYI I choose the hours I spend, it’s not forced on me. In actuality my employer is very much against overtime as they believe heavily in work life balance. If I do work excessively they just allocate or should I say do not deallocate leave from me. ( currently sitting on 60 days).

 

[semaphore]

Oh don't get me wrong a couple of years ago I would have said the exact same thing where everyone was just doing a job and the "team" was just a managerial construct.

That changes considerably when the team becomes organic and people WANT to do this of their own accord, which is ultimately what you strive for.

It is such a thing that other people from other teams have hinted at getting invited and I'm actually considering it this year.

It's one all expenses paid weekend to let your hair down, and you do pretty much get the Friday off from work as well. By and large a thank you for the year's hard work and going above and beyond and people look forward to it, so much so we've had ex-colleagues who have left the team come out to join us especially.

The amazing thing is that so many of our goals for the following year come out of this weekend just through casual conversation and different people spending time together that wouldn't happen otherwise.

Especially in a remote working world it's become a crucial endeavour for us and also helps our two international colleagues feel very connected to our local team.

It should be noted we don't do much in the way of other events through the year and never do the "lets go build a raft" type of crap.

Sounds great, if it’s entirely optional to join. The minute you make things compulsory is where I lose my ****.