Charity replacing year-end partying

Members of the Cheongju City Council deliver coal briquettes to low-income families in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, Friday as they ended their year doing volunteer work. Yonhap

By Yun Suh-young

Year-end parties used to be strung out on alcohol. They started and ended with drinks, leaving everyone dizzy with red cheeks by the time they reached home in need of sleeping it off.

The times, however, are changing. More organizations are abandoning the practice of binge drinking at end of year parties.

One reason may be the sluggish economy, but another is the changing perception about year-end parties. More people are willing to spend their time more meaningfully by engaging in cultural activities or helping others.

Movies and concerts

Engaging in recreational activities such as watching movies or concerts is becoming an alternative practice at companies and organizations across the nation. Understandably, it’s the most cost-effective way of getting employees to wind down the year.

Many companies now take their employees to a movie after having dinner. A team at Shinsegae International rented a movie theater and watched “Les Miserables,” the recent box office hit.

Hyundai Card holds an end of year concert every year to entertain its staff.

“My husband told me that his company invites celebrities to sing at the company concert,” said Kim, a 34-year-old whose husband works at Hyundai Card. “This year, ballad singer Sung Si-kyung and K-pop girl band Sistar are invited. I heard the party is organized in the form of a standing party.”

Daesang Group held an audition for their employees to participate in, mimicking audition programs such as Voice Korea, and Super Star K.

Activities

Some prefer to take a more unconventional road.

A spa and dining package for employees is offered at some companies. The employees are given coupons to visit the spa on their own after which the members will later meet at a designated restaurant at an agreed time.

Female employees have especially welcomed such plans saying it feels like the company is appreciating their hard work for the year and giving them an opportunity to relax.

Duo, a marriage consulting agency, held a “healing” year-end party where they invited music therapists to their office to help relieve the stress of their employees.

Other interesting parties include having dinner on a cruise. In this case, the entire boat will be rented for the night. A buffet, as good as any found in a hotel or banquet hall on land is provided.

For more active employees, some companies plan recreational activities including working in teams to accomplish an assigned mission or reenacting a TV talk show in which employees behave like guests and hosts on a talk show.

Volunteer work

Those companies that are more “giving” engage in charity work instead of hosting year-end parties.

Posco, the nation’s top steelmaker, held a bazaar in the lobby of their building in southern Seoul and donated all the proceeds to multiracial families.

SPC Group, a food corporation, held a blood donation campaign.

“Because I work at the corporate social responsibility team, we often come up with ideas to go volunteering,” said a 26-year-old worker at Amore Pacific.

Public organizations were also active in volunteer activities.

In Cheongju, lawmakers and officials of the Cheongju City Council delivered coal briquettes to low-income households. The Chungbuk Provincial Police Agency also carried out charity work instead of partying. The police officers and staff there will visit welfare facilities in the region until early next year to help people in need.