In every issue of Professional Engineering, we ask readers for their views on an issue of the day. Some of their answers feature in the printed magazine, but space constraints mean we cannot publish them all. So this is where you find every single one of them.
We’re heading towards the season of festive jollity and fun. Will you be celebrating as usual this year, or are you cutting back? And are Christmas events in your workplace going ahead as normal, or being scaled down to reflect the economic circumstances?
Personally I will be celebrating with my family as usual, which whilst not taking a Scrooge-like attitude, avoids the excessive consumption that 'the High St' promotes. At work some Christmas events are going ahead as normal, but some are not.
Matthew Bradley, Derby
I don’t see this year being very different from previous years, but there is more of a focus on enjoying time with family and friends rather than the hype and commercial aspects of Christmas.
Clive Newell, Belfast
Well I work from a home-office in a ‘virtual’ company, communicating electronically with colleagues on a daily basis. We have decided in response to the economic downturn to tone down our email celebrations this year, which will also reduce electricity consumption and lesson our carbon footprint!
Mike Todman, Southam, Warwickshire
We’re hog roasting a banker this Christmas. Festivities will be joyous and plentifull ! Now, where did I put that skewer ?
Nick Slee, Bristol
Christmas is always worth celebrating, and the memorable, worthwhile stuff doesn't need to be expensive. The only high budget contribution to the first Christmas was from the wise men, and like top brass ever since they went to the wrong place, brought daft gifts and eventually arrived 12 days late.....
This year we know there's no company money for jollification, so we're having a £5.95 all you can eat buffet, but the people will be the same and it saves all the faff of choosing the menu :)
Martin Joinson, Filton, Bristol
2009 has exceeded expectations and it is clear we have escaped the worst ravages of the recession. Nonetheless, we have reduced our workforce and implemented periods of short time working. So Christmas celebrations will proceed in a close to normal, but somewhat muted fashion.
Nick Lyons, Lincoln
This year the two manufacturing sites I look after have totally opposite things planned. The Northern site's Christmas do going ahead as normal and the Southern site's do being cancelled due to lack of interest from the workforce. The reason is one of flexible working negotiations on both sites following very different routes, one site talking and the other site not.
Neil Durham, Bingley, Yorkshire
The best response is to quote a recent item about the festive season which was heard on Sarah Kennedy's morning show on Radio 2.
An airline passenger enquired of the BA check-in lady why there was a bunch of mistletoe above the Check-In desk. The response was immediate: "That's so that you can kiss your luggage goodbye, Sir".
Merry Christmas.
Nick Schulkins, Winchester
I can’t attend the Christmas party as to do so would jeopardise my contractor status under the IR35 regulations…
Phil Anderson, Corringham, Essex
I won't be cutting back for Christmas, having always kept things simple an uncommercial. The workplace "do" is not funded by the bosses, but by the employees themselves.
Neil Henderson, Hatfield, Herts
"Last year the festivities included saying goodbye to a large number of colleagues as the company was forced to cut deep with redundancies.
Another Christmas like that and I'll be like those children who's dog died on Christmas day and can never enjoy it again..."
Max from London
I shall be enjoying the festivities as normal - celebrating the birth of the Christ child supersedes rather mundane earthly things like economic recession. However as I am about to change jobs, I probably won't be attending the Christmas do, which also carries on regardless...Merry Christmas to all of your readers !
Martin Miller, Desford, Leicestershire
It will be a largely normal Christmas for us, except that the seasonal get togethers have been largely replaced by leaving parties. This has less to do with the economic climate and rather more to the looming prospect of being moved to Milton Keynes, not to mention having had yet another reorganization this month.
Anonymous
Being part of the Airline Industry with the crippling impact of the Financial crisis hitting hard, Christmas is pretty lean all around this year – No Office Party and No Children’s Party. Dig in and try to ride the storm !!!
Marc White, Llantwit Major, South Glamorgan
If work events were funded by our employer they would definitely be off this year, but they are not, so they are not affected by its current money saving measures. However, maybe fewer individuals will pay out to go out with their colleagues for a Christmas meal this year.
Michael Newbound, Bath
We’re not heading towards the festive season; we’re already in it up to our eyeballs! And have been since October if you look at the retail sector. Our Christmas party is on the 4th Dec. and it’s too early to feel the full “spirit of Christmas” but we’ll try. – Martin Lindsay, Cheadle, Cheshire.
I've managed to escape to worst ravages of the recession in 2009 but 2010 may prove to be a different story. I think I better go easy on the booze and get some rest over Christmas! I'm sure there'll be a reasonable degree of jollity and celebration though.
Andy Reynolds, Bristol
Unlike firms in other sectors, employees have always self funded their Christmas parties where I work. The company usually makes a contribution – prizes for a raffle etc. Maybe it is a result of this arrangement, but parties this year are the same as previous years.
Nick Lines, Warwick
Christmas events? Bah Humbug. As I type this I have been told I am at risk of redundancy. All company events have been cancelled. I will not be celebrating Christmas as usual, but will be praying for hope.
Nikki S, Berkshire
Office parties
Food and drink in the office
Gifts from customers
Cards and decorations in offices
Carol signing
Extra time off
-All are no longer
but then I get home and its Christmas
Matthew Moorcroft, Warrington
We have been conscious of budget; but also recognise the need for engagement and celebration. So we have been creative and found hotels near to the teambuilding activites and restaurants. This has elimnated a large taxi bill. Local traders are also keen to offer team building activities at sensible prices- making pork pies or marizpan snowmen... and hotels are now prepared to negotiate sensible rates.
Neil Aldridge, Marlow, Bucks
No cut backs at home necessary as Christmas is about a good meal rather than lots of presents. Work celebrations were cut but have now been reinstated to boost moral after a restructure.
Nicholas Crosby, Holmfirth, Yorkshire
Celebrating the birth of Christ is not dependant on economic conditions. I shall be celebrating as normal
Nick Hutt, Nantwich, Cheshire
Sorry, can't think of anything witty! Pretty normal year:
1. collect daughter from university a few days beforehand,
2. sing at Christmas Eve carol service,
3. sing at Midnight Mass,
4. put bird in Aga,
5. deliver stockings to children (now 15, 17, 19!)
6. attend morning service at village Methodist chapel,
7. parents-in-law arrive for lunch
8. exchange presents (under tree)
Nick Jakeman, Rugby, Warwickshire
It’s a ‘Christmas Carol’ Christmas. Bankers confront the ghosts of Christmas past and search the pudding for sixpences. Meanwhile engineers, neglected, possibly out of work but in good cheer, show goodwill to all men and work on the world’s energy crisis, sacrificially testing various forms of alcohol and avoiding shops to save fuel.
Neil C Hay, Edinburgh
Belonging as I do to the "Bah Humbug" type of Christmas reveller, I'll just be enjoying a welcome break from work.
Nigel Bennett, Garforth, Leeds
Christmas was cancelled in the workplace last year, but is going ahead as normal this year, let's hope this is a sign that this sector is picking up.
Mike Eastwood, Huddersfield
I will be celebrating as usual this year, which is to say I will enjoy a relaxing break but without extravagance. Events at work are not generally being scaled back by those still working, but we should remember that many are not so fortunate.
Mike Yates, Rugby, Warwickshire
It is symptomatic of the mess we're in that we have converted a birthday into a consumer orgy.
Keep things in proportion: certainly give the kids a few presents, certainly look after people who might not otherwise enjoy it, but Christmas is more about how much you can give, not how much you can buy and throw away afterwards.
Happy Christmas!
Roger Middleton, Epsom
Engineering has to earn its money, unlike the service industry which just handles money and creams off their profits. Priority for any profits for Industry has to be investment in research and facilities to remain competitive. So, as normal, there will be no company sponsored festivities, recession or not.
Anonymous.
This year no sixpences in the pudding
Poverty, demoralization,
Failure of regulation
Still we are in an occupation
Engineering our situation
Solving temperature elevation
Reforming even transportation
Imagination and innovation
Save the next generation
and He brought us real salvation
And hope and joy and Christmas
Neil C Hay, Penicuik
© PE Publishing, 9 December 2009
