Holiday Company Party Etiquette
The key to presenting yourself well at your company party or social gathering is to always remember everyone's watching
T’is the season for celebration and that includes businesses. Office parties are wonderful team morale building events and times to celebrate after a year of hard work. So go ahead and have fun. Just remember that it is still a work function. Forgetting that can be disastrous. Here are some tips from the pros for employees, new and experienced, that will help you get through the office festivities in good form.
Here are 8 simple rules to get you through the Office Party with your reputation and job intact.
1. Avoid engaging in gossip or sharing juicy stories.
Getting caught up in
the he said, she said trap or badmouthing colleagues or superiors is a definite
no-no. Avoid the gossip and keep the conversation strictly PG and casual.
Remember, you are still in a work environment, so behave as though you are at
work. Do not say or do anything you would not say or do at work.
2. Do not drink too much.
If alcohol is offered
and consumed, keep it too the legal limit of 1 drink per hour. Intoxication
will not put you in a positive light and could lead to behavior that you will
regret, at best, or leave you reprimanded or unemployed, at worst. Your
colleagues and superiors are always watching and judging your every move. A
staff party is no exception.
3. Eat politely.
Gauge how much you
should eat against the portions given and the number of people present. You
want to be polite not gluttonous. If it is an appetizers and hors d’oeuvres
event, nibble, even if that means you need to have a meal after the party is
over. Rather than taking a doggie bag home, ask for the recipes instead.
4. Know the dress code and dress appropriately.
Be mindful that how you
present yourself physically is how you will be perceived. Make sure you know
the dress code for the event and dress within those limits. The office party is
not the place to wear that slinky, revealing dress, or a bit too tight pair of
pants. Be professional always.
5. Keep the conversations brief.
There will always be
those people that you find easy to talk to and it can be tempting to extend the
conversation as long as possible. However, office parties are for team building
and relationship building in a social setting so it is best to keep your
conversations brief and move on. A good rule of thumb is to limit them to no
more than 15 minutes, unless it is the boss. When talking with your superiors,
follow their lead or politely end the conversation when there is a natural
break. Your superiors could be testing you.
6. Mingle.
In keeping with the
previous, move around the room and approach your colleagues to engage in
conversations. Don’t be the person that people have to come to if they want to
talk. That sends messages of arrogance or antisocial tendencies that are not
conducive to a workplace social gathering. This is a good time to talk with
executives and superiors that you may not get to speak with otherwise.
7. Do not leave too early.
Judging when is an
appropriate time to leave an office party can be difficult. You don’t want to
be the first or last to leave. If it is a dinner party, stay for the entire
meal in order to be respectful and appreciative. Plan to stay for at least an
hour, unless there is an emergency that requires your immediate attention. Even
though the office party is still a work related event, it is expected that
employees and guests use the occasion to relax, mingle, and get to know each
other and their superiors on a more personal level.
8. Always have a hand free to shake hands with others.
As you mix and mingle,
it is an expected professional courtesy to shake hands while greeting others,
so make sure you always have a hand available.
9. Bring a gift for the host or organizer of the party and send a thank you.
Organizing and/or
hosting a staff party takes a lot of planning and effort. Arriving empty handed
is frowned upon. You want to be courteous and gracious so bring a small gift
for the host. It is best to find out what kind of gathering it is and a little
something about the host so that you bring something that is in good taste and
appropriate. Do not get something that makes them work, like uncut flowers,
they have done enough already. Send a thank you out to the host and all those
who helped organize the party the next day. Again, this speaks to your
appreciative character and puts you in a positive light.
10. Attend.
Even if you dread the
idea of spending your off hours with the people you work with and for, make an
appearance. Stay for a reasonable amount of time and then say your thank yous
and good byes before you depart. Although office parties are ‘optional,’ it
demonstrates that you are a team player if you attend. Remember, you are always
being observed and evaluated. The company put a lot of time and expense into
holding a work social. The least you could do is show up.
11. Ask before bringing a guest.
Before inviting friends
or significant others, find out from the host, whether guests are allowed and
how many. Many events are +1 but not always. Use your discretion when allowed
guests. Only bring guests who you are confident will represent you well and fit
into your workplace. If you bring someone with you, always introduce them to
whomever you speak with and include them in the conversation.
