Workers in the U.S. can expect more holiday cheer in the office in 2011 as companies offer more bonuses, parties and gifts than in 2010, according to a survey by placement firm CareerBuilder.
The survey, conducted Aug. 16-Sept. 8, 2011, included responses from 2,696 hiring managers and HR professionals and 4,086 full-time nongovernment workers. Among the findings:
• Bonuses. 40 percent of employers planned to give their employees holiday bonuses in 2011, up from 33 percent in 2010. Among this group, 73 percent were planning to give the same amount as in 2010, 14 percent planned to provide a greater bonus and 13 percent planned to provide a smaller bonus.
• Parties. 58 percent of employers were planning a holiday party for their employees, up from 52 percent in 2010. Thirty-six percent of workers said they planned to attend their holiday party.
• Gifts. 30 percent of employers planned to give holiday gifts to employees, up from 29 percent in 2010.
Holiday presents in the office aren’t just from corporate. Twenty-two percent of workers said they planned to buy holiday gifts for co-workers, with the same amount planning to buy their boss something. The majority (79 percent) of workers said they planned to spend $25 or less for each holiday gift they bought for the office, while 38 percent planned to spend $10 or less and 12 percent planned to spend less than $5.
“Employers have been working hard to build back their businesses over the last year and this holiday season are planning to reward their biggest asset—their people—with a few holiday perks,” said Rosemary Haefner, vice president of HR for CareerBuilder.
Related Articles:
Holiday Gift Giving and Year-End Paid Time Off Are Up in 2011, SHRM Online Benefits Discipline, December 2011
Grinch-like Advice: Incentive Plans Instead of Holiday Bonuses, SHRM Online Compensation Discipline, November 2011
Most Plan to Award Same or Higher Bonuses for 2011, SHRM Online Compensation Discipline, November 2011
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