With the advent of hybrid working and increasing living costs, UK companies are shifting away from traditional work parties and embracing family-focused team events to foster a sense of workplace community and togetherness.
While remote working may have made offices quieter, it hasn’t dampened the enthusiasm for team-building events among UK workplaces. According to a recent survey conducted by Poptop, a leading online party planning platform, there has been a significant increase in the number of workplace parties. More and more businesses are opting for smaller, family-focused work events instead of the extravagant corporate parties of the past.
The Changing Trend in Corporate Parties
Poptop 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 48% increase in staff gatherings and parties compared to 2019. Importantly, the types of parties being organized are changing, with a substantial 57% rise in new “family-friendly” corporate events.
These smaller, budget-conscious work gatherings invite team members to bring their partners and children along to enjoy the festivities. This marks a departure from the traditional boozy Christmas events that were once synonymous with workplace culture in the 21st century. The change in tone is also reflected in the categories of party services chosen 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 point that truly stands out is the 100% surge in bookings for family activities, including magicians and children’s entertainers, compared to 2019.
The Rise of Hybrid Working
The shift can be attributed, in part, to the ongoing adoption of remote and hybrid working. According to the Office for National Statistics, 44% of UK workers now report some level of hybrid working. As more workplaces embrace hybrid models, fostering inter-team connections, which were once integral to workplace culture, becomes challenging through online calls and remote office software. Bringing teams together frequently and fostering genuine personal connections among employees has become crucial for productivity and overall business success.
With the move to hybrid working, the perception of the workplace is changing. “The office” feels less like a separate environment and more integrated into family life as the workplace extends into the home. Consequently, workers seek to introduce more elements of their home life into the office. Family-focused workplace events provide a novel solution that bridges these previously separate realms. Additionally, with rising costs for families, companies can now offer their employees a cost-effective way to entertain the entire family.
Benefits for Businesses
These new family-friendly events offer advantages for businesses as well, particularly in terms of budgeting. Inclusive workplace parties often take place at the office or nearby parks and outdoor spaces, saving significantly on venue costs. As a result, team get-togethers can be organized more frequently, with multiple Poptop clients reporting planned corporate events every few months, as opposed to once or twice a year.
“We’ve witnessed a significant change in party planning patterns post-COVID, not just among private bookers but also corporate parties and gatherings. With a large proportion of people working remotely or in a hybrid model, it has become absolutely essential to bring staff together more frequently, and HR departments are starting to realize this. Simultaneously, the shift in work-life balance encourages companies to arrange more family-friendly gatherings, making them accessible to people with children,” said Eugene Shestopal, CEO of Poptop.
About Poptop
Poptop is a platform that helps people elevate their parties to the next level. They inspire party planners with extraordinary services and experiences from some of the UK’s best event suppliers. With their unique ‘Live Pricing & Availability’ technology, planning parties becomes straightforward and enjoyable, removing the stress from event organization and creating a seamless booking experience. Poptop has facilitated over 85,000 planned events, making it one of the largest party planning platforms in the UK.
