Towards the end of a year, chances are you will attend a work party and, according to a recent survey, many of these parties get out of control. A recently conducted survey found that 64% of people who attend work parties witness alcohol-induced “bad behaviours” such as flirting with co-workers, starting fights and drunken driving.
An office or work party gives you the opportunity to celebrate the holidays or another occasion with your co-workers. You should have fun, but be careful about having too good a time.
Follow these tips and you will be able to return to the workplace with your head held high:
Eat first
If you haven’t eaten yet (came straight from work, did you?) go ahead and sample a few items from the buffet. Be sure to select things you can eat neatly, with one hand, while standing up. Stay away from salty or greasy foods that make you want to drink more. Choose foods high in starch and protein that will help slow the absorption of alcohol into your bloodstream.
Don’t drink too much
Alcohol lowers your inhibitions and alters your judgement. It can make you do or say things you may regret. Even if you think you can handle your alcohol quite well, one mixed drink or one glass of wine at the office party should be your limit. Remember, perception is everything. You don’t want to look like you’re drinking too much, even if alcohol has little effect on you.
Don’t treat the office party like a singles bar
A work party gives you a chance to see another side of your co-workers. However, you shouldn’t try to get to know any of them too well. The person from accounting may suddenly look a lot more appealing under bar lights than cubicle lights. Ignore your animal instincts. Workplace romances — or worse, one night stands — can be disastrous.
Don’t flirt or act in a sexually provocative manner
Your flirting may be entirely innocent but the message it sends to your colleagues isn’t innocent. If you want to be respected on a professional level, save this side of yourself for parties with friends.
Don’t wear suggestive clothing
If you wouldn’t wear it to work, you shouldn’t wear it to the work party. Of course, your clothes can be more festive than those you wear to work (think sequins, colour and sparkles), but they shouldn’t be revealing.
Don’t let your guard down
People tend to relax at work parties. When relaxed, we let our guards down and reveal things about ourselves we don’t want our co-workers to know. Alcohol may contribute to this too, so be sure to pay careful attention to them.
Don’t tell dirty or off-colour jokes
This rule holds true in and out of the workplace. Dirty or off-colour jokes may be offensive to others, so avoid telling them.
Don’t use foul language
You may feel so comfortable at the work party that you forget you’re really “at work”. Keep bad language in check as it could make you look unprofessional.
Don’t talk about people behind their backs
Just because someone is absent from the work party doesn’t give you reason to talk about him behind his back. In addition to the fact that it’s just not nice, this person’s friends may be present and word could get back to him.
Don’t bring uninvited guests
Often work parties are for employees only. Don’t assume it’s okay to bring your significant other or someone else without asking first.
Don’t underestimate the importance of your guest’s behaviour
If it’s okay to bring a guest, choose wisely. Invite someone who will behave appropriately. That means he or she will have to follow the same rules you are expected or want to follow.
In essence a business function
Any behaviour at a work party will help distinguish you, whether positively or negatively. Many careers have been ruined by inappropriate behaviour at an office party. By following common sense and remembering above all that a work party is a business function, you can ensure that you send the right message and make it a career-building rather than a career-crippling experience.