Internet is divided over corporate holiday party faux pas – but who is in the right?

A New York City influencer has divided the internet with her popular take on company party invitations.

Piper Phillips, a self-employed content creator who previously worked in the corporate world, posted a video to her 93,000 TikTok followers ranting about a friend’s Christmas party at work, which doesn’t allow them to bring a plus one.

“They dress up in fancy clothes, dresses, whatever, and they don’t bring their significant others. I think this is weird,” Phillips said, recalling a conversation she had with a friend.

She imagined that as a 24-year-old woman it would be difficult to get dressed and go to a party where an older male boss is present without their partners and has unfettered access to alcohol.

‘Where there is an open bar and there is alcohol, I mean especially in conservative, more male-dominated industries, I find it strange to know that there will be fewer young women in their 20s and that there will be bosses in positions of power with an open bar and no significant others, no women,” Phillips said.

“It seems really awkward to me, especially with the way our society has glorified Christmas and the open bar, it just seems very inappropriate.”

Her comments section was divided; some people claimed that it is normal not to invite others because it is a bonding event for colleagues.

‘I don’t find this strange at all. It’s just a good way for colleagues to connect,” said one.

The content creator imagined that, as a 24-year-old woman, it would be difficult to get dressed and go to a party where an older male boss is also present

“I think it’s normal and I don’t want to hang out as a single person with my coworkers’ husbands,” said another.

A third person said: ‘This is normal. Why should your partner go to a WORK event with you?’

‘This is super normal. I think someone who can’t go to a work event without their partner’s supervision is in a very toxic relationship,” said a fourth.

Some pointed out that it is expensive for companies to host these events and that they save money by not allowing guests.

“Holiday parties are expensive and not everyone has a partner, so not having partners saves money and tends to attract more people,” one person said.

‘That’s strange. I’m glad my work isn’t cheap,” said another.

Others agreed content creator Phillips indicate that their time outside of work is for their family and if they can’t bring their partners, they won’t go.

“If I’m wearing something other than my normal work clothes (or a crazy sweater), or if it’s something more formal than happy hour, it’s inappropriate/cheap not to offer plusses,” one person said.

Recent polls showed that 87 percent of employees would prefer a Christmas bonus or gift voucher to a staff party

A second person said: ‘I wouldn’t go to a work party without my partner. Why should I spend my free time with colleagues?’

“I agree, I hate a corporate Christmas party and I know it costs more to bring guests, but let’s just skip the party and give out a Christmas bonus,” said another.

‘I think it would be so much more fun and interesting to meet partners and bring them along. I already see my colleagues every day,” said a fourth person.

Recent polls showed that 87 percent of employees would prefer a Christmas bonus or gift voucher to a staff party.

Surprisingly, when asked if they wanted a work party at all, 63 percent said “no.”

With more and more office workers staying home for at least part of the work week, the art of socializing and interacting with colleagues seems to be dying out.