Like many other things this year, the annual office Christmas party is looking like it will be a casualty of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic - but some businesses are considering alternatives.
A new survey shows that over half of workplaces will either not have a Christmas party at all or are postponing it until after COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.
Over a quarter of respondents don't know their workplace's plans, while another 8% say they never have work Christmas parties.
However, the IrishJobs.ie survey suggests 9% of workplaces will have a virtual party - although 20% of employees said they do not enjoy virtual workplace socialising.
A further 3% of respondents said they'll have an event in the workplace under social distancing guidelines, while 2% hope they'll be able to secure a booking in a restaurant or pub in line with Government guidelines.
David Bell, managing director of The HR Department, told Newstalk Breakfast some companies are looking at having some sort of virtual gathering.
He said: "I think everyone accepts no matter what changes there are in the next few weeks... there isn't going to be any option for a large gathering."
Mr Bell said he doesn't believe many people are convinced by the idea of a Zoom Christmas party, but there are event companies out there who've moved online.
He said those companies are working on making themed experiences that try to replicate different kinds of real-world parties and gatherings.
He observed: "It might sound to a lot of people cringey or awful... but there is some effort being made to maybe change it, so it's around a theme.
"There is a bit of interaction, and the idea is everyone's on at the same time."
'Huge disconnect'
Mr Bell suggested there's 'some irony' that this is actually the one year where many workplaces would like to get staff together in some shape or form.
He said: "There's been a huge disconnect - people haven't been in office, they haven't seen each other. Work has become a very strange place for a lot of people."
He said there is an opportunity there for online events, as well as potentially for "very small" groups to have a meal if restaurants are allowed reopen for December.
However, he said it's clear that big groups in restaurants, bar, hotel or office are just not going to be feasible this year.
For those businesses who skip the Christmas party entirely this year, Mr Bell added that they should consider giving staff gift vouchers for places like local restaurants instead.
