For some, the office Christmas party offers nothing more than a hangover at the boss's expense. For others, suggests a new survey, the event is a minefield of drink, sex and straight talking from which they will be lucky to emerge with dignity and career intact.
One-quarter dread the staff Christmas party, says a survey by recruitireland.com, a job site. Another 13 per cent avoid it.
This could be because of regrets about what happened at past parties: a third of partygoers say they have done something embarrassing, and almost 41 per cent of those who do go have what the survey delicately describes as a "romantic interlude".
A cuddle with a co-worker pales in comparison, however, with downing alcohol with your employer - 14 per cent admit to telling their boss what they really thought of them, with 3 per cent confessing to resigning at the party. Five per cent knew of employees who had been sacked after the party.
The employment figures may be inflated, however, since the 650 respondents all completed the poll on the recruitireland website. Better-behaved employees probably were not browsing a job search site.
Some workers were unhappy with their hours: 30 per cent say they put in more than 50 hours per week. With that in mind, it is not surprising 67 per cent of respondents say they will look for a new job in the new year. Presumably they are getting a head start.
When they are not fending off amorous staff or sacking people, Irish bosses are fairly generous - 83 per cent of employers pay for the party, with respondents estimating that their boss spends €50-€70 per person, while a quarter of the workforce also enjoy a free bar.
Almost half get a Christmas bonus, a 2 per cent increase on last year. Most bonuses are under €500 but 10 per cent got over €2,000.