Office workers 'dreading' Christmas party small talk

Office workers will spend around 11 hours at Christmas parties this year, but most admit they are dreading having to make small talk with colleagues and bosses, according to a new survey today.

Office staff fear becoming tongue-tied when talking socially with a manager or colleague and many will revert to safe one-liners such as: ‘‘What are your plans for Christmas’’, or ‘‘I can’t believe it’s that time of year again.’’