Boss's presence in Employee dinners - 10 tips to Boss!

Employee team lunches/dinners  are common in many companies. While lunches are short  and without drinks and tend to be semi formal. The members of the team may not really open up. They just eat and get back to work. Dinners on weekend  help the employees really relax with some beer on the house. people  can spend more time together in a relaxed environment with fun.

Often as a Boss you are expected to join the party.  It is good  to be a part of the dinner. But, then it all depends on how is your equation with employees and how you behave.

The dinner could be very official and formal. Then it may become the extension of your lunch time canteen extended to a Star hotel. And I do not recommend it. 

If the dinner is to let off their stress and celebrate the achievements, let  them enjoy the they want..not the way you want them to ! Plan to have dinners for different groups together so that the people across functions open up resulting in bonding between them. 

There are many articles on the Internet telling employees how to behave in team dinners!

Some tips for Bosses :

1. Never give a lecture/speech as to how company is doing and what the boys and girls are expected to do. You can briefly share the achievement and congratulate them for the success.  Thank them. That's it. Don't start asking them to pull their socks and be ready to work for 25  hours a day !

2. Some employees may not even know who you are, if the company has more than 100 people. If you come across a group with unknown people, do not go and try to mingle with them, particularly if they have beer bottles in their hands!

3. You will notice many small group having fun. These groups are formed automatically with like minded people. It will be interesting to see how these groups formed. Just notice them. 

4. Many people who respect you may not like to drink in front of you and/or like to talk or open up.  Just say 'hi!' to them and move to another group so that they enjoy their outing.

5. You may visit people  early in the party and leave the place to them to enjoy.

6. If you want to stay till the end of the dinner, stay with your close associates who feel free to talk to you. Relax and be one of them. Put your hat away for some time. Keep open mind to receive feedback as  you may get lot of suggestions once people move to second/third round ! And they are telling something, which otherwise will never be told to you!

7. Do not talk official work with any. People are there to just forget the stress and relax.  

8. Assign some one to keep an eye on the events and if some one is likely to cross the line !

9. Personally supervise or assign a person or two to ensure that every one leaves  the dinner  and reach their homes safely.

10. Do not forget to take care of the billing. Never complain over the billing.  They worked hard to make you succeed. And they deserve a treat.

Have fun.