Is this a Christmas joke?

Adults work in the Civil Service, they’re not kids and don’t require stupid guidelines.Especially about office parties.
HR have to jump through hoops clothed in wokery, and yes that is my opinion before anyone leaps on their high horse.

I really regret the loss of free internet access to all the MSM as then you could really read around, and if someone gave a reference, read the whole article. If I quote from the Guardian then GN posters can check out the whole article.

Oh dear!

You worked in the wrong department 😁

I remember one excruciating Christmas meal in my CS days. I hadn't been there long and felt obliged/pressured to go. It was at a rather swanky hotel (at our own cost). We sat at a long table, ate our meals very sedately while other tables around us were full of Christmas frivolity. A couple of us decided to lighten the atmosphere and let off a couple of party poppers. Mine landed on the boss's head. He didn't bat an eyelid, smile, laugh - nothing. His secretary, who thought the sun shone out of his doo-dahs, gave me a withering look. Oops.

NonGrannyMoll

Does anyone still read the Daily Mail, much less actually spend money buying it?

'Ere we go, 'ere we go, 'ere we go!
Judgemental or wot!

The Daily Mail sells 683,530 copies per day on weekdays, but 1.3 million on Saturdays

We buy one on Saturday 😁

If The Guardian were to follow industry trends, its print circulation in February 2024 is estimated to be 60,000. However, The Guardian's circulation is private
Why?

I read it online sometimes. I read the Daily Mail online sometimes, particularly when a poster on here might express at something dreadful published in it, even though they never read it 😂

Oreo

LovesBach

MaizieD

Oh, I've read the article. Please ignore my last post. There is a grain of truth in the OP. But it's not quite how it's been presented in the OP.

I would say 'grain of truth' is rather diminishing the Senior Political Correspondent's efforts in the Times.

'Civil servants who are not invited to Christmas parties by their colleagues have been advised that they could bring legal claims for discrimination'.

There follows a whole raft of reasons, and advice that they could have an employment tribunal claim. I have presented it as I read it.

It’s more madness isn’t it? Just when you think things can’t get any stupider.😖

Its only 'madness" if a rush of silly dodgy claims are made, but the record is very few, and I still cant see why H Resources type advice to lay out guidelines is "Stupid".

We'v been very aware on GN recently - a thread about bullying, a long thread about inappropriate behaviour disguised as banter and where's the harm in laying guidelines?

Wyllow3

If you actually read the full article is more enlightening. Nothing new, a few past cases going back in time,
Pointing out that parties are subject to the same guidelines as in the workplace daily, etc etc.
Usual D Mail mountain out of molehill who can we bash today.

Precisely. Basically, what it means is that the rules governing behaviour in the workplace apply when out of the workplace at an event arranged by your employer.

No story.

Dear me !
Are people really excluded from office parties ?
OK .
But suing them , because they are upset ?
I think that I'm going to sue the local council officer , who was indescribably rude and condescending towards me and caused three unnecessary journeys to the offices .
In the end , feeling really unwell - I actually burst into tears .

Does anyone still read the Daily Mail, much less actually spend money buying it?

Parsley3

OK. I understand.

Thank you.

Kate1949- 😂🤣😅

OK. I understand.

LovesBach

MaizieD

Oh, I've read the article. Please ignore my last post. There is a grain of truth in the OP. But it's not quite how it's been presented in the OP.

I would say 'grain of truth' is rather diminishing the Senior Political Correspondent's efforts in the Times.

'Civil servants who are not invited to Christmas parties by their colleagues have been advised that they could bring legal claims for discrimination'.

There follows a whole raft of reasons, and advice that they could have an employment tribunal claim. I have presented it as I read it.

It’s more madness isn’t it? Just when you think things can’t get any stupider.😖

I wouldn't be laughing Parsley. I have endured and been damaged by discrimination. My light hearted post - enjoyed by some other posters it seems - was the notion of anyone being willing to take working colleagues to a tribunal if they weren't invited to a party, and in veering slightly towards the 'world has gone mad' notion, it amused me. At this moment I am wishing I had never posted it, and wondering why some people are having a sense of humour failure.

I don't burst into hysterical laughter when people are on the receiving end of discrimination so can't join you, sorry.

MaizieD

^I have presented it as I read it.^

No you haven't, you put your own spin on it by characterising the reasons for bringing claims as 'hurt feelings'; a good dog whistle term which provokes derision, scorn and condemnation of the claimants.

That was not my intention, and doubtlessly this is an attempt to start a fight in an empty room. Don't have the temerity to tell me what I am thinking. Any of the reasons suggested would cause hurt feelings - I have put no 'spin', I have quoted what was written, and scorn, derision and condemnation of others was certainly not in my mind.

No!

Is it a posh name? 🤔

Allira

Why is poor Hermione getting mentioned on threads - and in such a sneering way?
She's done nothing to deserve it! 🤬

Posh name, i'n'it *Allira 😂😂

What about poor old Johnny? Does he deserve some sympathy. too?...

I have presented it as I read it.

No you haven't, you put your own spin on it by characterising the reasons for bringing claims as 'hurt feelings'; a good dog whistle term which provokes derision, scorn and condemnation of the claimants.

Why is poor Hermione getting mentioned on threads - and in such a sneering way?
She's done nothing to deserve it! 🤬

Kate1949

*Terribull*. No drunken letches at the Civil Service parties I couldn't wangle my way out of. Just a lot of stuffed shirts standing around sipping orange juice and talking about work.

Ours weren't like that at all!
Of course, there was always the obligatory quiz and everyone was fiercely competitive 😂

Kate1949

I worked in the Civil Service. I tried very hard NOT to be invited to Christmas parties.

😁

We didn't get invites, we just went.

Precisely Terri. They used to tell us it wouldn't look good if we didn't go. I loved one chap's reply one year 'No thanks. I don't do enforced socialising'.

MaizieD

Oh, I've read the article. Please ignore my last post. There is a grain of truth in the OP. But it's not quite how it's been presented in the OP.

I would say 'grain of truth' is rather diminishing the Senior Political Correspondent's efforts in the Times.

'Civil servants who are not invited to Christmas parties by their colleagues have been advised that they could bring legal claims for discrimination'.

There follows a whole raft of reasons, and advice that they could have an employment tribunal claim. I have presented it as I read it.

Oh God! Kate that sounds awful in a different way, forced boredom inflicted on the employee taking up non working hours, when you could have been letting your hair down and dancing round your handbag