With just over a week to go until Christmas, new research* from Wolters Kluwer’s UK pay and benefits specialists, Croner, reveals some interesting festive workplace facts:

53 percent of businesses close between 24 December and 2 January, with almost three quarters of employees having to use their annual holiday entitlement to cover this. 74 percent of staff who work during the Christmas period receive no additional pay or time off in lieu; 68 percent of organisations close early on the last working day before Christmas; 83 percent of businesses said they were having a Christmas party this year, with 87 percent of those being paid by the company at a typical cost of over £25.00 per head; 66 percent of employees will not be receiving a Christmas gift or bonus this year; 55 percent of employees are holding a secret Santa gift swap this year, with the majority having a price limit of between £5.00 and £10.00.

Viv Copeland, Head of Reward at Croner, says: “In the last few years organisations have had to scale back on the extras that traditionally employees have enjoyed, like additional pay for bank holidays, or a Christmas bonus or gift. While we’re not likely to return to those pre-recession days any time soon, it is good to see some things back on the agenda, like staff Christmas parties. Although not a key motivator in retaining in employees, it shows them that they are appreciated by their managers and leaders.”