Companies across the country cancel Christmas dinners – E24

While employers across the country are stepping up the festivities before Christmas, it is Oslo that stands out most strictly, writes Dagens Næringsliv.

In the capital, 61 percent of companies that organized Christmas dinners last year say they are abandoning it this year. Only 21 percent do it like last year, while 18 percent are unsure.

– I’m glad that Oslo companies seem to take seriously the call not to plan the traditional Christmas dinners. We depend on everyone to contribute if we want to reduce infection in Oslo, city councilor Raymond Johansen (Labor Party) tells the newspaper.

NHO director of working life Nina Melsom says the numbers are grim because it’s an important season for a hard-hit industry and the reasons are complex.

– An important reason is probably also that many have recently fired or resigned, and that it does not seem natural to have a party in such a situation. Plus, it has an effect when Raymond Johansen goes out and advises against Christmas dinners, says Melsom.

Johansen emphasizes that Christmas closings and events can be held in small groups and that the use of restaurants and other professional actors can help safeguard infection control.