New survey says the holiday office party is back

Well, maybe. Another poll indicates that half of U.S. companies won’t be toasting this holiday. What’s the situation at your office? Plus, office canoodling often leads to relationships, the toy industry is sexist, Cheerios app gets hijacked, and more.

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At many offices, the recession was the proverbial Grinch who stole Christmas fun, but 2012 might be the year our economy’s heart grows just enough to return that holiday cheer. An annual survey by Challenger, Grey & Christmas of approximately 100 HR professionals found that 83 percent of companies are planning holiday parties this year, up from 68 percent in 2011. Most respondents said they’ll spend as much on their office festivities as they did last year.

Conversely, a survey by OfficeTeam of 1,014 senior managers at U.S. companies with 20 or more employees found that more than half (52 percent) of employers are not holding a holiday celebration. Bah, humbug!

If your company is throwing a seasonal soirée, steer clear of that kiss under the mistletoe. Unless, of course, you’re looking for a relationship with a fellow colleague. According to a poll from Lovehoney, an online British sex toy retailer, that Christmas canoodling turns into dating for one-fifth of office partygoers.

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