Is Gen Z killing year-end office parties?

The Gen Z, known for its disdain for corporate culture, might be responsible for the potential extinction of year-end office parties. Young people born between 1997 and 2012 represent an increasingly significant part of the workforce, and their influence on corporate traditions is becoming more tangible, forcing companies to reinvent themselves. Today's young adults are not particularly enthusiastic about the idea of an evening with the whole company at a mediocre restaurant, enduring unwanted karaoke with the open bar as the only refuge. More importantly, spending time with colleagues outside of work hours feels like torture to many Gen Z members. Some simply refuse to attend the annual party, citing the need to protect their mental health. On TikTok, some creators like Moyo encourage people to attend these events instead, to gather gossip, snap pictures of drunk colleagues, and gain leverage over their bosses (just for fun, of course).

It's no secret that the generation following millennials is one that doesn't drink much alcohol. In a study reported by The Guardian in 2022, 26% of young people aged 16 to 25 surveyed declared themselves sober. This high number can be attributed to Gen Z's emphasis on physical and mental health, being much more conscientious than their predecessors thanks to social media. As a result, unlimited alcohol is not a convincing argument for young employees to join the Christmas party, unlike millennials and boomers. HR departments must brainstorm original activities. Some companies have opted for a wide range of non-alcoholic drinks to appeal to sober members of Gen Z. Others offer escape rooms and other adventurous events instead of a traditional party in a bid to attract young adults who seek meaningful activities.

In a TF1 report on corporate parties, an SME specializing in window manufacturing chose to offer a €1880 bonus to its employees instead of organizing a year-end dinner. "The Christmas party is very nice, and mind you, I'm not criticizing what my colleagues do," explained Catherine Guerniou, the company director, to TF1. "But I think the bonus remains something important." The initiative seems to appeal to employees, especially during inflationary periods. Additionally, in a U.S. survey published by Axios, 79% of workers surveyed said they would prefer a bonus over a year-end party. Moreover, it's not just the younger generation questioning the ROI of corporate events. Companies themselves are evaluating the viability of these often costly activities. The main goal of these events is to "strengthen" colleague relationships. But in an era where work culture and traditional professional relationships are being challenged by young adults, companies might need to rethink new ways of fostering socialization.