Employees are panicking as they are expected to prepare performances for their companies' New Year season parties.

A group of young women rehearse a dance in Beijing for their company's New Year season party. Han Qingchun / For China Daily

A group of young women rehearse a dance in Beijing for their company's New Year season party. Han Qingchun / For China Daily

From December to January (New Year's Eve and Chinese New Year) it is traditional for businesses in China to hold an annual celebration. Usually there is a banquet dinner and programs of activities that include prizes for employees who give the best performances.

But all the extra time and energy to prepare for the performances is frustrating employees and racking up the tension. A recent survey by China Youth Daily, of 2,184 netizens on their opinion of the annual gathering, showed that 66.4 percent were panicking and 18.1 percent were in acute panic.

The survey indicated 51.3 percent of netizens thought it took too long to prepare a five-minute group performance, especially if it had to be creative.

Wan Xin, a buyer at an international company, says he likes the idea of these activities because it gives people an opportunity to show off their skills and personalities, but it has become more like work than pleasure.

Wan and his group won first prize when he organized a dance performance three years ago.

"I don't want to be the organizer again in 2011 as few people enjoy the process of preparing and celebrating the event," says he.

As a result, some companies prefer to put on themed parties or special awards ceremonies, instead of asking for performances.

Companies that have received too many complaints from employees about the performances have gone for a simpler form of annual gathering with shows organized by agencies.

"Our annual gathering has an interesting theme every year with a particular dress code. The theme for 2011 is Superman and all of us have to wear Superman related costumes for the event," says Li Xuelin, who works in the sales department of a foreign bank's Shanghai branch.

"I've cancelled the employees' performances for 2011 as they are too busy with work," says Zhu Lideng, the owner of a company that has hired an agency to arrange a party.

"I want employees to enjoy the gathering instead of having the headache of preparing a performance."