Aussie woman forced to pay $100 to attend Christmas party: ‘Totally messed up’

A company’s decision to make staff pay $100 to attend their own Christmas party has divided the internet after an Australian man revealed his wife had to cover the cost, which did not even include a drink.

The man said his staff parties had always been “fully funded” by the Business and covered the cost of all food and alcohol, which is why he was so shocked to learn his partner’s parties were the opposite.

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“I’m curious what other people’s parties are like,” he wrote on Reddit.

“My partner’s charge like $100 to attend plus drinks on top.”

The shock revelation sparked heated debate as several people shut down the practice of asking staff to cover the cost of attending a work party.

“Asking you to pay is totally messed up,” one person said.

“Dinner and drinks is the normal, their shout. I would never pay to attend a Christmas party. On the contrary: that’s billable hours,” another said.

“$100! I wouldn’t even hesitate to decline attending,” another added.

The man said he had been to work parties before that were “$10 a head” that offered unlimited alcohol and catering to offset the cost, which he felt was justified.

Others said the fee was to ensure workers would actually show up and claimed it was not that much to ask of an employee.

Some flagged whether the fact the man’s wife worked in the public sector could have played a role in the party costs.

“In the public service you often have to pay. Either by paying for your meal or through fundraising throughout the year for a party,” one person said.

“In all fairness, I wouldn’t necessarily want my taxes funding a work Christmas party. That’s why the public sector usually has to pay for their own parties,” another added.