Old Workmates Or New Dilemma ?

[Jenarry]

I’m leaving my workplace after 20 years and i’ve just set a date with a workmate’s assistance for a leaving do the Saturday after my last day .
Then I received a lovely email from my new workplace today inviting me to their Christmas do (which they always have in January apparently) on the same Saturday night . It was a lovely email saying even though I haven’t started yet they thought it would be a nice way to meet my new colleagues . Its a posh sounding dinner and dance paid for, for me and optionally my partner.
My hubby thinks its fab gesture and very welcoming and should say yes but my feeling is that my current workmates want to make a fuss and have a meal and evening out together and I should stick to the date that I’ve set with them .
What do you think ?

[rockyracoon]

Tough call. The Christmas do can’t be rearranged, can your leaving do? If so, grab the best of both worlds.

[tonyav]

If it were me I'd try and change the date for your get together with the old work mates.

[ladybirder]

I'd move the first date to the following Saturday or have it straight after work the day you leave.

[Mamyalynne]

Blimey what an unfortunate coincidence, I agree with Rocky.

Explain to your current workmates how much you are going to miss them and would they mind rearranging as this new do could have a bearing on your future with the new company.

[JimF]

You must absolutely prioritise anything to do with your new job. Your husband is absolutely right! To be invited to the Xmas do before you've even started work is incredibly generous.

Your old job is the past.

[Maydup]

Definitely un-set the date you have just set with current crowd and go to meet the future colleagues.

Let the workmates know why, and they will understand. Probably be happy to rally round for a drink another night.

[Calibax]

You new company's "Christmas" do will be immutably fixed in time and venue. Your leaving do should be more flexible. Can it be rearranged?

[Peter Pedant]

tell your work mates that you have been invited to meet the new staff and you cant very well say
No I dont want to ...

oh and amidst all the jollity
spare a thought for the people ( quite alot it seems ) who had a work chrissie present of --- being laid off
or the firm ceasing trading .....
( as one said, it hasnt been a very good christmas)

[vetuste_ennemi]

If it's an either/or say goodbye properly to your past friends.

[Jenarry]

I’m really torn . I want to go to the Christmas do but we’ve arranged the date we have as our boss can’t make it . (This is a group decision as she’s been the boss from hell the past few months- no-ones happy at work ) If we rearrange there’s a good chance she and our supervisor will come and it’ll be a v different get together . I think I’m going to see if we can rearrange the date and keep it to ourselves .

[naomi24]

I wouldn’t be torn. Arrange a new date with your old friends – if they’re friends they’ll understand - and forget the boss from hell. She’s history.

[rockyracoon]

If that’s your only worry, don’t invite them. I wouldn’t.

[CrapAtCryptics]

I`d go to the new company do - it is your future after all - but get in touch and rearrange your leaving do - I`m sure your colleagues will understand.