Are you going to a clients Christmas Party?

[RightLaugh]

I went to one my first year. Good it was too. It started Friday lunctime, and I didn't charge for the afternoon so the client would have saved money overall by inviting me. For my part I lost half a day's income, had to hire a tux and get a hotel room, so it was the most expensive free party I've ever attended.

Should I have charged?

Second time around I'd just started the gig and it had already been booked so I just took the day off. I think they would have invited me.

of course you charge. I always do. I also charge a full day for xmas eve when everyone leaves at 3 pm.

[rootsnall]

As Christmas approaches companies are starting to organise Christmas Parties.

This is my first Christmas as a contractor and I'm not sure what to do if invited! If you are invited and going it could be seen as being treated as an employee and not good for IR35 status.

However companies often invite clients to Christmas parties to improve relations, but these aren't generally the company Christmas parties?

Firstly are you invited?

Secondly will you be going?

Is there a free bar ? Are you on the pull and is there anybody worth pulling ?

[Fran]

Ha ha, no, no and no!

Thinking I wont go as it's in Leeds and I'm in Chester. Plus got a missus and kids!

Like the idea of having our own xmas tho!

[FiveTimes]

I going but it's not a company paid one, just a bunch going out for a curry and beer.
Afternoon off and hotel needed for the evening. Any chance I can put the hotel through as a valid expense ???

[TheFaQQer]

Any chance I can put the hotel through as a valid expense ???

Yes, but it's a benefit in kind to the employee, so no point.

[Not So Wise]

No company event, so no issue there

There is a Department level event, but as there are no decent women in the department be damned if i will go

[TheFaQQer]

I always stop work before the Christmas party season really starts, so not really an issue for me.

When I was last permie, I did push to invite the technical contractors to the company do, since the management had invited some of the contractors but not my team. Only one came as the others were (genuinely!) busy, but it was more a principle thing that either invite them all or none of them, not just a couple.

[Fran]

I always stop work before the Christmas party season really starts, so not really an issue for me.

How long do you have to contract before that's possible!!!

Sounds perfect!

[xoggoth]

Not to say the stinking IR do not cite anything but I cannot really imagine why any sane court would take going to an xmas party as an indicator to employment. Back when I was an employee and on the customer's site I got invited to things, it did not make me switch employers. Just common courtesy really.

[Moscow Mule]

Yes, and I shall be going to as many agency & old work sites dos as possible.

And once the important business of finding out where the next twelve months work is coming from, I shall set about drowning my liver in Champagne.