HEC’s recently completed 2009 Holiday Practices Survey shows that less than half (49 percent) of Hawaii companies have decided to provide a full or partial day off on December 24, making it a four-day weekend for their employees; 19 percent were undecided.

For the New Year holidays, only 44 percent of the companies reported plans for a four-day weekend; about 20 percent were undecided. The percentage of companies who are not planning any company-wide holiday party this year increased significantly (35 percent) compared to last year (27 percent). Fewer companies say that alcohol will be provided at the company holiday party this year (25 percent) than was reported in the 2008 survey (32 percent).