It’s December, which means one thing in workplaces everywhere: the inevitable holiday party invitation has landed in your inbox. For some, it’s a highlight—ugly sweaters, free drinks, and the rare chance to see Karen from HR cut loose on the dance floor. For many others, it’s a hard pass. They’ve already drafted the polite “So sorry, family commitment” reply before the RSVP deadline even hits.
They’re not alone. Companies themselves are quietly backing away from the tradition. Back in 2007, 90% of employers threw some kind of holiday bash. By 2024, that’s down to 64%, according to outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. The era of mandatory fun appears to be fading.
But here’s the awkward truth: even when it’s labeled “optional,” the office holiday party is still a work event in disguise. Management notices who shows up and who suddenly has “plans.” Skip too many, and you risk looking checked out—especially painful when employee engagement is already scraping 10-year lows, and every impression counts toward the next promotion.
If you’re in leadership, attendance isn’t really negotiable. You’re expected to be there, smiling through the small talk and the off-key karaoke.
That said, the cultural tide has shifted. Workers—especially younger ones—are drawing harder lines between work and life. Packed schedules, childcare, health issues, or just plain exhaustion in the busiest month of the year are all legitimate reasons to bow out. And frankly, a lot of people simply don’t want to spend an extra evening making chit-chat over supermarket shrimp skewers. “Forced fun” has never been less popular.
A Visier survey last year found that nearly two-thirds of U.S. workers have scaled back or stopped attending after-hours events altogether. Gen Z, in particular, is leading the exodus from happy hours and holiday parties alike.
Interestingly, the under-35 crowd also reports some of the strongest enthusiasm when they do attend—95% of 18- to 34-year-olds told Indeed that holiday parties boost morale. Translation: the parties aren’t universally hated; execution and expectations are the problem.
So where does that leave you?
- If your boss isn’t going and half the team routinely skips, feel free to join the skippers guilt-free.
- If visibility still matters at your company, the time-tested move is simple: show your face, say hello to the right people, grab a drink and a canapé, then Irish goodbye after 60–90 minutes. You’ve been seen, you’ve been sociable, you’re off the hook.
Bottom line: go if it helps your career or you genuinely want to. Gracefully decline or make a brief appearance if it doesn’t. Either way, no one reasonable expects you to sacrifice your actual holidays for lukewarm mulled wine and awkward dancing.
The season is stressful enough. Do what keeps you sane.