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IT crowd do the best parties

December 08, 2008 // Franchising.com // Lucky IT workers will get to enjoy the best Christmas parties this year, according to new research from Holiday Inn which has hosted more than 300,000 office partygoers so far this Christmas.

Despite the credit crunch, more than half of computer workers will be treated to a free meal at their works do, while a third will even get a free bar for the entire night.

One in five IT firms also put on live entertainment for their workers, including a live band, fairground rides or even a celebrity appearance.

The festive treats mean more than 11 per cent of IT workers labeled their Christmas party as the best night of the year, while another 23 per cent say it is always really good.

Recruitment consultants came second in the poll followed by those who work in research, advertising and accountancy.

But truck drivers aren't quite as lucky, naming their parties as the worst, with a staggering 29 per cent claiming their festive bash is absolutely rubbish.

More than 42 per cent of transport workers say they have to fork out for their own Christmas do, while 42 per cent are forced to leave their partners at home.

Shop workers and those in the catering industry also feel let down by their festive parties.

The poll of 3,000 workers revealed that almost a third of Brits are looking forward to their work do this year, with almost a quarter planning to splash out on a new outfit.

Eleanor Conroy, spokesperson for Holiday Inn, which carried out the poll, said: "The work Christmas party is the one night of the year when we let our hair down with our colleagues. Most people see the Christmas party as their reward for a year's hard work and look forward to the evening for months, planning what to wear and how to avoid any embarrassing gaffes.

''It may be dreaded by some, having to spend time with their colleagues, but if employees are on their best behaviour they'll be able to make it through the night.''

And some are hoping to impress a sexy colleague with 22 per cent admitting to enjoying a cheeky snog with a work mate in previous years.

It's not all fun though as almost admit that not everyone gets on, while 21 per cent have ended up telling their colleagues what they really think of them.

And while a lucky 20 per cent of workers are allowed the following morning off to recover, 45 per cent say they often end up going in with a hangover.

Professions which have the best Christmas parties
IT workers
Recruitment consultants
Researchers
Advertising and marketing
Accountants
Travel workers
Librarians
Farmers
Human resources
Charity workers

Professions who have the worst Christmas parties
Truck drivers
Shop workers
Chefs, waiters and waitresses
Electricians
Lawyers
Estate agents
Sales reps
Customer service workers
Teachers
Secretaries

Christmas packages at Holiday Inn hotels in the UK start at £29 per person and rooms start from £39.

Notes to Editors:

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms. IHG owns, manages, leases or franchises, through various subsidiaries, over 4,100 hotels and more than 600,000 guest rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world. The Group owns a portfolio of well recognised and respected hotel brands including InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo®, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn® Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites® and Candlewood Suites®, and also manages the world's largest hotel loyalty programme, Priority Club® Rewards with 40 million members worldwide.

IHG has more than 1,700 hotels in its development pipeline, which will create 200,000 jobs worldwide over the next few years.

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group's holding company and is incorporated in Great Britain and registered in England and Wales.

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