Since I started working at PPD Global Central Labs (formerly MRL International) in March 2005, we’ve had company-wide town meetings once a quarter. At each of these meetings, we’d get an update on how the company was doing financially, among other things. I’ve watched the stock increase, split, increase some more, dividends be issued, etc. The company is doing really well and growing like weeds. Two months ago, we even had a “big-wig” from the corporate office in Wilmington, NC come to our branch and basically tell us we’re growing at 22% per year, which is excellent. Everyone has raved about the performance of PPD as a whole and our division in particular.

Imagine my surprise two weeks ago when everyone got a letter in our company mailboxes stating our annual company Christmas party was canceled due to financial concerns. This was company-wide, not just at our branch. Normally, we get emails from corporate about everything. This time, however, we received a sketchy looking letter in the mail. It went something like this:

To: All PPD Worker Drones
From: Mr. Head Honcho

All company sponsored Christmas parties are canceled this year. We didn’t feel that you were working hard enough and our pockets aren’t lined with money as thick as we’d like. Tough luck. Maybe next year you’ll do better.

Okay, so that’s a rough paraphrase, but that’s about the gist of it. The letter wasn’t signed, didn’t look or sound very official and contained just enough information to raise many questions and concerns. I thought it was a prank.

It wasn’t.

The head of my branch did sent out an email a day or two later assuring us that the company was doing fine. Our division was the only one pulling it’s financial weight, so corporate felt the parties had to go to save money. Whatever…

Company sponsored events such as this and the summer family picnic are very much a part of our incentive package and great for company morale. I had a great time at last year’s party, which was held at the Cincinnati Museum Center, and was looking forward to this year’s. I enjoy seeing everyone outside of the office, with their families and such, and having a good time. It brings us closer together and “refreshes” us. So much for that happening this year…

The bosses at my branch are trying to get an on-site, non-company sponsored brunch or dinner organized, but that’s not the same as an off-site party. However, I am part of a group that is trying to organize an off-site party, but we’re running into issues with booking a location. As we’re finding out, it’s a little late in the year for just getting started on planning such an event. We’re also concerned about the attendance since people will have to pay to attend. We’ll see how it goes, though.

*sigh* This better not be a trend. As I’ve stated before, one of the reasons I left my job at Car-Part.com - lack of non-financial perks. Morale boosts such as this, knowing that someone is planning an event to reward you for a year of hard work, really keep me going during the hard times.