IT managers hate Christmas

The Christmas season of goodwill is not recognised by Scrooge-like IT managers who, given half the chance, would cancel Yuletide altogether.

According to a report published today by the Chartered Management Institute, UK IT professionals believe that office parties are hard work, disruptive and dull.

The survey revealed that Christmas no longer extends to the workplace as employees reject traditional ways of marking the season's celebrations with colleagues.

Only 47 per cent of IT managers said that they intend to treat staff to festive fun around the photocopier by throwing an office party. This compares unfavourably with the national average of 61 per cent.

One in 10 respondents suggested that the reason for this festive grumpiness is 'a lack of enthusiasm', with 35 per cent branding Christmas celebrations a chore.

The survey also found that less than half of IT managers enjoy office festivities. Just over 40 per cent said that seasonal festivities created problems because colleagues or clients were inaccessible.

A mere three per cent give gifts to colleagues, while over 40 per cent suggested that Christmas celebrations drag on too long and are disruptive.

Petra Cook, head of policy at the Chartered Management Institute, said: "The idea that Christmas creates pressure and tension in the workplace is worrying, particularly as it has traditionally been seen as a time to reward staff for the hard work they do during the year.

"It's important that instead of focusing on what people don't want to do, managers take the time to find out what their staff want.

"After all, environments where the emphasis is on 'all work and no play' are unlikely to be energetic and productive."