Every year, my employer pays for a party. Nice sit down meal, marquee, music, that kind of thing, usually at summer. It's always scheduled for the evening so I don't generally go to them. But they're giving out customer service awards this year, and I nominated one of my team for an award because they're brilliant. It's just a plaque and voucher thing, but they were successful. My manager is strongly encouraging me to go as I nominated my team member and so 'should go to see the award being given'. But UGH, it doesn't start till 7pm. I value my evenings. I don't get paid for them, and have to work the next day. It's not worth me going home after work only to have to come back again an hour later, so I'd have to stick around. Why should it be frowned upon for me not to attend??