One-half of workers having holiday party

But 60 per cent expect it will be less generous than last year: Survey

More than one-half (53 per cent) of working Canadians say their boss will be more of a Santa than a Scrooge when it comes to hosting a holiday office party, according to BMO's Commercial Banking Holiday Survey.

Regionally, employers in Quebec are most likely to host a celebration for employees (60 per cent), with those in Atlantic Canada the least likely (45 per cent).

Employers hosting a holiday party

National

Atlantic

Quebec

ON

MB/SK

AB

BC

Yes

53%

45%

60%

50%

58%

54%

52%

No

26%

27%

24%

28%

16%

27%

30%

Don’t know

21%

29%

17%

22%

27%

19%

18%

However, those planning to celebrate the season with work colleagues expect some belt-tightening compared to last year. Sixty per cent said the party will be as generous as last year, and 18 per cent said it will be scaled back from last year (up from 12 per cent in 2011). Only 12 per cent believe their holiday party will be more generous than last year, found the survey of 1,000 people.

"This survey, in many ways, also reaffirms what we are seeing from employers across the country — that they are investing in their people and their businesses, but in a measured and very deliberate way as they adapt to the new dynamics of the business environment,” said Steve Murphy, senior vice-president at BMO Commercial Banking.

Employer generosity around holiday parties

National

Atlantic

Quebec

ON

MB/SK

AB

BC

More generous compared to last year

12%

8%

10%

14%

15%

7%

9%

Scaled back from last year

18%

19%

14%

20%

15%

12%

28%

Same as last year

60%

58%

63%

59%

58%

76%

49%

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