Survey reveals Russia’s corporate party cancellations shift budget toward employee bonuses
In Russia, a notable share of employers has chosen to cancel New Year celebrations in favor of rewarding staff with additional pay. A recent hh.ru survey of 2,676 Russian company employees, conducted from December 7 to December 22, 2022, indicates that about 15 percent of firms redirected funds previously set aside for festive events into bonuses, including what some describe as a 13th salary. The findings were reported by socialbites.ca as they reviewed the hh.ru results. hh.ru
According to the survey, 13 percent of companies consciously reallocated the party budget to bolster employee bonuses. Six percent indicated they planned to donate the money to charitable causes, and three percent marked the category other, explaining that the party cancellation was tied to a broader corporate restructuring process that even affected the employee responsible for scheduling vacations. In roughly one third of the surveyed companies, the decision to cancel the party was not communicated to the staff. Additional reasons cited for axing the event included a lack of festive mood within the team or budget constraints. hh.ru
The survey highlighted regional patterns as well. The cancellation tended to be most common among employees in the Siberian Federal District, where 20 percent reported the change. Conversely, among companies in the Northwest Federal District, more than half stated there was no plan to hold a corporate party. This regional breakdown reflects differing organizational priorities and financial considerations across the country. hh.ru
The study also explored how workers in Russia reacted to employers choosing to cancel the gatherings. More than a third of respondents, about 34 percent, supported the decision, arguing that the current environment made events less appropriate. Another 19 percent saw the move to pay bonuses as the most reasonable response under present circumstances. Eighteen percent admitted they were not in a holiday mood, while the remainder opposed canceling the event, stating that seasonal traditions and celebrations should not be replaced by monetary rewards. hh.ru
When given a direct choice between a corporate party and a financial bonus, a strong majority favored the cash option. About 86 percent of respondents would choose a bonus, with only 14 percent preferring a vacation or party over money. This preference underscores a broader sentiment that financial incentives hold immediate value for employees in a challenging year. hh.ru
The hh.ru survey was conducted over a two-week period in December 2022, surveying 2,676 employees from various Russian companies to capture a snapshot of corporate priorities and employee sentiment during the season of annual festivities. hh.ru