It’s almost here… yes, Christmas… the nights are getting colder, the trees are slowly but surely popping up around town, shops are getting busy and the kids are writing and re-writing those Christmas lists to Santa. So, that can only mean one more thing – yes the office Christmas party!
Now, to some HR professionals the Christmas Dinner Party can conjure up some negative images, but not to me. Thankfully, I’ve never encountered the excited colleague wanting to talk about his new ideas for improving the business, or the ‘secret Santa’ that goes awfully wrong, or the colleague who attempts to down 20 shots in one hour knowing fine rightly they with be coming right back up again in the hours to follow. Some say the annual Christmas party can in fact boost your career if you handle yourself well and get that right opportunity to make yourself known to the bosses, but – more importantly, it can also end it. And, with that warning in mind, here are some very well known and written about dos and don’ts of office Christmas party etiquette aimed at keeping your job, reputation and dignity in one piece.
Do try to attend. Your office party is not an optional event. Even if you despise the thought of spending a whole evening with the people you work with every day, it’s a good idea to make an appearance. It shows that you are part of the team and it really can be good fun and a nice start to the Christmas period.
Don’t dress inappropriately. According to workplace etiquette expert Pamela Holland, men are the worst exponents of inappropriate dressing at the office party she says they should, “ refrain from unbuttoning more than two buttons on their shirts and wearing tightly fitted shirts that show off their muscles”.
Do get introduced to the boss, if you haven’t already. This is a good time to talk to people you wouldn’t normally come across and, of course, the boss. This could help you in the long term in terms of raising your profile. But…
… Don’t over do it with work talk. The office party gives you the chance to get to know people as people not just ‘Gavin from accounts’.
Do drink in moderation. Excessive drinking is the number one cause of office party ‘incidents’. Remember, because the wine is free you do not have to down it in one….it is a marathon not a sprint and it is likely that you will have a long evening ahead of you. Stick to your limit, drink slowly or alternate between alcohol and water and of course dancing, please, please, resist the temptation to down vodka shots or flaming zambuca or you may end up losing more than your inhibitions!
Don’t make a move on a colleague. After a few hours and a few beers even Barbara from credit control can look like a goddess. A poll by Tickbox.net commissioned by Quatro Wilkjnson Sword revealed that 41% of workers admit to having a sexual liaison with a co-worker at an office party. But, before you make a bee-line for the person you’ve had your eye on all year, do yourself a favour, stay put and think, ‘Is this a good idea?’ ‘Probably not’, is the likely answer. What’s more, in a survey conducted by ContractorUK 13% of female workers who have had a pass made on them by a male co-worker end up lodging an official complaints about their colleagues’ conduct.
Do watch your language. Remember the reason why you are at the Christmas party in the first place is because you have a job. Avoid saying things you wouldn’t say on a normal office day. A former (note use of the word ‘former’) colleague of mine told our CEO that his speech was “crap” and he could do his job blindfolded. Consequently, the Christmas card from the boss contained his P-45. And, for ****’s sake, don’t swear!
Don’t leave too soon. Tequila slammers with the girls from HR may be more appealing than your department’s party. But, unless you have made a holy show of yourself, stay for at least a couple of hours even if it is the most boring party ever. After all, it’s your boss that you need to impress when it comes to getting a promotion.
Above all, enjoy the party. Strive to be remembered for the right reasons and not for your lustful antics or David Brent dancing. And, in the words of the great man himself from “The Office”, when asked how he would like to be remembered, he replied: “Simply, as, the man who put a smile on the face of all who he met.”
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