The most annoying aspects of office Christmas parties

From boring conversations to underwhelming secret Santa presents, these are the worst parts of the festive celebrations with colleagues

Most Britons will attend four big parties over the festive period, according to estimates

The biggest Christmas party irritations have been revealed in a new study.

The survey, conducted by LateRooms, showed 40% of the 2,000 people polled said their boss making them pay for their own drinks was the most annoying part of their annual festive gathering.

It also revealed 75% of people dread the annual office party, with the average adult saying they spend 2.5 hours of the event “bored senseless”.

It is estimated most Britons will attend four big parties over the festive period with the most popular dates for office parties being “Mad Friday”, which falls on the final Friday before Christmas each year.

Other party irritations include intense, drunken conversations about work - as raised by 22% of people - and the themed element of some gatherings cited by 20%.

A total of 7% of people said their biggest irritation was getting stuck talking to boring people in IT and accounts.

The full list can be found below:

1. A pay bar – tight-fisted bosses cutting costs (41%)
2. Rubbish food from a dated set-menu (26%)
3. Intense, drunken conversations about work (22%)
4. Year-end motivational speeches from bosses (21%)
5. Ridiculous themes such as fancy dress (20%)
6. Getting home (17%)
7. Facebook/Twitter/Instagram – people posting pictures without your consent on social media (16%)
8. Secret Santa (inappropriate or unwanted presents) (15%)
9. ‘Witty’ end of year award ceremonies (honouring the company’s top blagger / funniest / waste of space) (14%)
10. Unwanted sexual attention – amorous colleagues and bosses (13%)
11. Sexy ‘party games’ (balloon dance/spin the bottle, etc.) (12%)
12. Joining up with lots of other Christmas parties who no one knows in a big Marquee (11%)
13. The work hangover (unable to face colleagues next day/week following) (10%)
14. People bringing their partners (9%)
15. Getting stuck talking to boring people in IT/accounts (7%)