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Directors still spreading Christmas cheer

03 January 2010

Despite the difficult economic conditions, businesses are still doing their best to spread a little Christmas cheer.

Data collected by the Institute of Directors (IoD) showed a strong commitment to the festive season amongst directors.

A survey of the IoD's 1,209 members revealed 58% of directors planned to let staff leave early at Christmas and half of them planned to send Christmas Cards to business colleagues and clients.

Meanwhile 32% of directors planned to make a charitable donation or undertake some charitable activity for Christmas.

Compared to 2008 levels the data however showed that Christmas bonuses were the biggest losers; slipping 8% from 25% of companies to 17% this year.

The next biggest fall was in Christmas parties, which slipped 7% from 43% to 36% in 2009. However 40% of directors are pressing ahead with Christmas lunch and 20% were planning on giving gifts to their staff in 2009.

Commenting on the findings, Alexander Ehmann, IoD Head of Parliamentary Affairs said that with access to finance tight and consumer demand still fragile, directors have shown how much they value Christmas by doing their best to preserve parties, lunches and charity contributions for their staff.

Directors recognise the benefits to morale, work effectiveness and staff retention that a good Christmas package can bring, he added.

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