Understanding the Financial Dilemma
In our weekly series, readers can share their financial concerns and participate in the Money Moral Maze. Whether it’s friends splitting drinks or a partner overspending on a joint account, there are various situations that people face. If you have any financial dilemma, you can email anonymously, and the i Paper’s money and business team will do their best to provide guidance.
This week’s dilemma is presented below. You can send your queries to money@inews.co.uk.
The Work Christmas Party Dilemma
The upcoming work Christmas party is causing some stress for one individual. Instead of feeling excited, they are already worried about the cost of getting home. The team is based in a rural village in Bedfordshire, which is pleasant during the day but becomes problematic after 10 pm. There are no pavements, and public transport is nearly non-existent.
The pub chosen by the boss is a 25-minute drive from the individual’s house and even further for some colleagues. Walking or cycling is not an option due to the darkness and distance. This leaves three options: getting a lift, not attending, or booking a taxi. The individual lives alone and does not have anyone to pick them up at 11 pm or later on a Friday night. They want to attend as it is a work perk.
Checking taxi prices last weekend revealed that it could cost around £18 to the nearby station or between £28 and £35 door-to-door. This is before the inevitable Christmas surge. The individual is already managing expenses for Christmas shopping, heating bills, and a January MOT. An extra £30 for attending a work event feels like a significant burden.
Some colleagues have mentioned similar concerns. One joked about needing a bank loan to get home. Although the employer may not be financially well-off, they chose the location despite previous discussions about its inaccessibility at night. Now, the question arises: is it reasonable to ask the company to cover taxis home, or at least contribute? Would this make the individual seem demanding or ungrateful?
Expert Advice on the Matter
Emily Braeger, the i Paper’s money reporter, understands the hesitation but believes the individual is not being unreasonable. Taxi costs can be expensive, especially in rural areas during late hours and at Christmas. The employer’s choice of a rural venue at a late hour creates a foreseeable problem—people will either need to be collected or pay for a taxi.
From the employer’s perspective, they likely wouldn’t want staff feeling excluded due to financial constraints. The request is not for extravagant perks but for recognizing the realities of the location and timing. Even a partial contribution, such as £10 to £15 per person, or organizing a shared mini bus to the town centre or a nearby train station, could make a meaningful difference.
There is also a safety angle. While employers may not be legally responsible for journeys home from social events, morally, it is hard to argue against considering staff welfare when choosing a location. Employers might suggest that those who can’t afford a taxi can drive, which is a valid point, but it seems unfair that they would miss out on a social event due to financial reasons.
Suggested Approach
The advice is to phrase the question as a collective, logistical concern rather than a personal complaint. An email to the boss could state something like: “Several of us realized we’ll need taxis to get home because it’s too dark to walk. Would the company be open to contributing to transport so everyone can attend safely?”
This approach is polite, practical, and solutions-focused. Honestly, if the purpose of a Christmas party is to thank staff, it shouldn’t leave them financially worse off just for showing up.