Two-thirds of workers prefer to be anywhere but the Christmas work party, according to research by HR experts Croner.

The study found that 43% of respondents said that work Christmas parties are okay but they would rather be somewhere else. While 20% of workers said that they are awful and they'd do anything to avoid it and if they do go they can't wait to leave.

The main reason for this un-festive behaviour is a reluctance to let their hair down with their work mates, with 41% of those that think Christmas parties are awful, preferring not to socialise with colleagues outside of work. Respondents also cited that they are reluctant to get involved in office gossip (11%), that it costs too much (12%) and that they have had bad experiences at Christmas work parties in the past (12%).

Jo Pitts, employment advisor at Croner, says: "Employers have been stressing out over the last few years about the dangers of holding a Christmas party, but what the survey has highlighted is the fact that few employees these days enjoy them."

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