[MRM]

That is truly an enlightened employer. I have a similar story. My former employer would not allow corporate funds to be spent on a Christmas/holiday party (or at least the local manager was unwilling to spend money in her budget for it) and the best they would allow was a two hour lunch break to accommodate a pot luck party in one of the conference rooms. At precisely 2:00 the manager would rise from the table and say "Okay, everyone, it's 2:00. Back to work."

One year the lack of enthusiasm for such a joyous occasion was palpable. Rather than suffer the indignity of no one bringing anything or going to the office "party" the manager emailed everyone the following quote that I memorized forever: "Due to lack of interest, the holiday party has been canceled." It was the best Christmas that office ever had.