In response to the era of hybrid working and increasing costs at home, UK workplaces are shifting their focus from formal work parties to family-focused team events, aiming to foster a sense of community and togetherness among employees.
While remote working has led to quieter offices, it hasn’t diminished the importance of team-building events for UK businesses. According to a recent survey conducted by Poptop, the number of workplace parties has actually increased, with more companies opting for smaller, family-oriented gatherings instead of extravagant corporate parties.
Changing Trends in Corporate Parties
Poptop, one of the leading online party planning platforms in the UK, surveyed 370 business clients to understand the evolving trends in corporate party planning amidst the rise of hybrid working and the cost of living crisis. Surprisingly, the survey revealed a significant 48% increase in staff gatherings and parties compared to 2019. More importantly, there has been a massive 57% surge in new, family-friendly corporate events.
These smaller and budget-conscious work gatherings welcome team members to bring their partners and children, creating a departure from the traditional alcohol-filled Christmas events that were once synonymous with workplace culture. This shift is also reflected in the types of party services preferred by corporate bookers. Buffet catering and bartender bookings have declined by 40% since 2019, while corporate food services like BBQs have seen a 60% increase. The data also highlights a striking 100% increase in family activity bookings, such as magicians and children’s entertainers, compared to 2019.
The Rise of Hybrid Working
The move towards remote and hybrid working is a significant factor driving this change. The Office of National Statistics reports that 44% of UK workers now engage in some form of hybrid working. While there are numerous benefits to this approach, it can pose challenges for HR departments in maintaining team connections and fostering workplace culture through online communication and remote office software. To promote productivity and overall business success, it has become essential to bring teams together more frequently and encourage personal connections among employees.
With the integration of the workplace into the home due to hybrid working, there is a changing mindset among employees. “The office” is no longer seen as a separate environment from family life. As a result, workers desire to bring elements of their home life into the workplace. Family-oriented workplace events bridge the gap between these previously distinct worlds. Additionally, such events provide a cost-effective way for companies to entertain employees and their families, considering the rising costs for families.
Benefits for Businesses
These new family-friendly events offer advantages for businesses, particularly in terms of budgeting. Inclusive workplace parties often take place at the office or nearby parks and outdoor spaces, resulting in significant savings on venue expenses. As a result, team get-togethers can be organized more frequently, with multiple Poptop clients reporting planned corporate events every few months instead of the traditional once or twice a year.
“We’ve observed a significant shift in party planning patterns post-COVID, not just among private bookers but also in corporate parties and gatherings. With a large number of people working remotely or in a hybrid model, it has become crucial to bring staff together frequently, and HR departments are increasingly realizing this. Furthermore, the shift in work-life balance encourages companies to organize more family-friendly gatherings to accommodate employees with children,” said Eugene Shestopal, CEO of Poptop.
About Poptop
Poptop is a party planning platform that helps individuals take their events to the next level. With their innovative technology and a wide range of services from top UK event suppliers, Poptop simplifies the party planning process, ensuring a seamless booking experience. To date, over 85,000 events have been planned through Poptop, establishing it as one of the largest party planning platforms in the UK.
For more information, please visit: https://www.poptop.uk.com/
