It happens ever year in the city of Houston. A holiday office party is thrown and, instead of following the implicit rules of business etiquette, some genius at the party drinks too much, says too much, does too much, and ends up without a job the following week. Not a good way to end the holiday season. In order to avoid having this happen to you, reacquaint yourself with office party dos and don’ts by reading our list of tips below.
Do
- Know How to Dress- Is the office party formal or informal? Are costumes involved? There was a day when all office parties were formal events, but times have changed. Just make sure that you don’t show up in an elf outfit if it’s a suit and tie event.
- Know Who’s Invited- Are spouses or other guests welcome? If they are, remember that your guest is a reflection of you. You might not want to bring your college drinking buddy who still lives with her parents.
- Show Up- Although attendance to an office part isn’t mandatory per se, you should do your best to be there– even if it’s only for half and hour. This is all the more true if you RSVP. Your attendance will show that you value your company for more than just a paycheck.
- Show Up On Time- Yes, making an appearance is a good thing, but not if it’s 15 minutes before the party ends. On the flipside, don’t show up too early either. You do want it to seem like you have a life outside your job.
- Mix and Mingle- Office parties are great opportunities to strengthen existing relationships in the company and to build new ones. So walk around and talk to old and new faces. You never know, you might have a lot in common with that guy in HR.
- Have a Good Time- Nobody likes a party pooper. Keep your conversations positive and cheerful. If you tend to keep your business face on in the workplace, an office party is a great time to loosen up and show your other side. Getting to know your co-workers outside almost always has a positive affect on how you interact with them on the job.
Don’t
- Drink Too Much- Contrary to what you may have heard, an open bar is not an open invitation to get blitzed. We’ve all seen someone who has had too much to drink. You don’t want that someone to be you with your boss and managers all looking on. Try and limit yourself to 1 or 2 drinks. Remember, moderation in all things.
- Talk Strictly About Business- This is the quickest way to show that you are a workaholic and have no life outside the office. If that’s true, get a real life, then talk about it. It’s okay to have a few quick conversations about the workplace, but then move on. We spend too much of our lives at work as it is.
- Gossip- Spreading rumors about fellow colleagues is a big no-no. Besides being totally unprofessional, it can get you in big trouble if the wrong person over hears you. Keep your conversations polite, cordial, and uplifting. This is a holiday party after all.
- Be a Flirt- An office party is not the time to try and woo that girl from accounting or that guy in the tech department. If you and a co-worker are already an item, keep it professional at the party.
- Forget to Say Thank You- It takes a lot of work to organize an office party. A simple thank-you will surely mean a lot to the person(s) who put it together. You might even want to write a little thank-you note as well.
If you work for a company that is willing to take the time to put together a holiday office party where all the employees can get together and have some good holiday fun, consider yourself lucky. Not every company cares as much for their staff or, if they do, has the money to throw a party. So, don’t squander the opportunity. Heed the tips above and have a blast!
Oh, and one more thing…leave the lampshade at home.
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