By FRANCESCA MOLD
The Scrooge bug has bitten some New Zealand bosses this Christmas.
But others are still showing signs of the Christmas spirit by rewarding workers with giant food hampers and chilly-bags as they head off on holiday.
The traditional Christmas bonus is in decline. Most companies spoken to by the Weekend Herald said they had happily contributed towards parties and picnics for staff, but were not considering giving bonuses or gifts.
Auckland City Council staff had a party at the zoo this year.
Telecom has a bonus system for staff which is paid at the end of the financial year. The company has no Christmas extras but it did put on picnics for staff and their families.
The Herald also put on a Christmas party, but only long-time staff now receive a bonus, and it is paid weekly rather than at Christmas and in July.
The Bank of New Zealand paid for end-of-year functions at offices throughout the country and sent workers on holiday with a new chilly-bag.
Staff searching for an employer prepared to spend big on them over Christmas should look no further than law firm Simpson Grierson or Australian Consolidated Press. Simpson Grierson provides a number of Christmas functions for staff, ranging from picnics at the zoo to retro parties and end-of-year lunches. It also gives hampers of food and wine.
ACP also goes big on Christmas hampers.
Staff at Auckland Healthcare appear to have been particularly offended by their employer's attempted generosity.
This year, management gave staff pottles of brightly coloured plastic fish and shells filled with water which can be frozen and used as ice cubes.
But the gift provoked an irate response from one senior doctor who termed it insulting and offensive.
He had been told the gift cost $1 and that the money came out of staff funds.
The doctor said staff realised money was short in health services and they did not expect huge Christmas bonuses. But a Christmas card hand-signed by management would have been more appropriate.
"A container of mass-produced Taiwanese rubbish, delivered in bulk containers to hospital departments, just doesn't make the grade. Unfortunately, for many of us it sums up management's attitude."
Parties, hampers or a $1 present for workers
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.