Managing the Holiday Office Party

'Tis the season for office parties, Fa-La-La-Laaaa-La -La-La-La,  which can be fun and festive if everyone is on their best behavior or disastrous when too many people decide to let loose.

Unfortunately, the latter happens far too often.

Colleagues need to remember that although the holiday party is a time to celebrate the Season , reward your services and maybe receive that Bonus you were hoping for.

However this Social Function is still a business event and how you behave matters.

Colleagues have said and done all sorts of inappropriate things that have impacted their career by not following simple "etiquette rules"

If your company is one of them and you want to keep your job and reputation intact, here are some simple etiquette rules to follow:

----

1. STAY SOBER:

Getting drunk at the holiday party and cursing out your boss, will get you fired  on the spot. The next day he couldn't understand why his badge didn't work. He had no recollection of the previous evening's events.

2. DON'T SKIP IT: 

Unless you already have other plans that night that you absolutely cannot miss or change, show up to the office holiday party. You may not want to go, says but it's important that you show your commitment to the company. Your absence will be noticed, and most likely, noted by your boss and other higher ups.

3. DON'T DRESS INAPPROPRIATLY:

The party may not take place during traditional work hours — but that doesn't mean you should dress like you're going to a nightclub. Wear work-appropriate clothing. Since it's a special occasion, it's fine to take it up one notch, but don't go over the top.

Yes, it is a party, but your attire needs to be suitable for a business event, not a nightclub.

Don’t wear anything that is too short, too tight, too low, or too anything, nor should you wear Jeans or "Street Clothes" if you normally wear a suit to work.

4. PREPARE YOUR GUEST OR SIGNIFICANT OTHER.

Many times significant others are included or you're allowed to bring a guest. Let them know about appropriate dress and topics of conversation to stay away from, as well as, to ensure sure your guest follows all the rules -  their  behavior will reflect on you.

5. DON'T GET DRUNK.

This is an important rule, yet so many people fail to follow it. You don't have to drink, but if you do, stay as "close to sober as possible for it is easy to do something outrageous when you have had too much to drink.

Setting a limit for yourself before going to the party and sticking to it.  You may also want to consider ordering a drink you do not care for  much and sip it slowly all night. 

I always made sure at the Holiday parties to stock up on soft beverages - my personal fave is Apple Juice on the rocks with a splash of Club Soda - looks just like a Scotch and Soda - and many times I would imbibe on just that.

6. DON'T APPEAR BORED.

Appearing bored or like you'd rather be anywhere else is just as bad as not showing up. Don’t frown, slouch, cross arms, or yawn. You never know who might be observing you, so  be mindful of  your body language. Appear approachable and BE approachable.

7. DON'T BE ANTI-SOCIAL.

Even if you despise your coworkers — hopefully you don't, but if you do, it might be time to assess your situation — or if you're new and don't know many people, don't sit in a corner alone or keep your eyes glued to your phone the whole night.

Schmooze like you mean it - OK, most of you know that this comes to me naturally and in fact  I wind up chatting with strangers that come up to me  with a opening line  of  - you look like someone I should know," so, talk to people you know and don't know.

The party is an opportunity to meet people. Don't spend your time tweeting or texting. Mingle and remember the 10 minute rule of circulating the crowd. You can always circulate back later.

8. DON'T GOSSIP OR BAD MOUTH YOUR BOSS:

When you do speak to colleagues or bosses, keep the conversation upbeat and positive. Complaining about the company or your boss will bring the mood down.

Also avoid discussing sex, politics, or religion and more importantly, don't gossip about coworkers - you never know who else is listening and who they may know.

It's easy to do all of the above when you've been drinking — so be careful.

9. DON'T GO TO THE PARTY WITHOUT A PLAN.

A good way to avoid defaulting to gossip is having a "talking plan." 

As Voltaire said, "One always speaks badly when one has nothing to say."

If you're hoping to chat with a new coworker, think of a few icebreaker questions you can ask.

Did you decide ahead of time not to drink? 

Know what you want to say when people ask you "Why not?" 

I suggest a response that you have to drive  home,  or have a long train ride or  even, I don't drink.

Or perhaps you're planning to chat with the CEO. Think of a few smart conversation starters and remember to cheers with that mock-tail.

10. DON'T JUST TALK BUSINESS.

Be up-to-date on current events and happenings in your community or around the Globe that are not too controversial. Read the newspaper, your online news sites, news magazines, company publications, and your professional journals.

11. DON'T FORGET TO EAT .

Sometimes employees skip the food and head straight to the bar because they're excited to drink with their colleagues, or they assume the catered hors d'oeuvres aren't worth the calories. If you do decide to drink alcohol — even if you limit yourself to one glass or two glasses of wine — it's important that you eat something.

12. DON'T OVER IMBIBE.

This is not the time to hit on your boss, or his spouse.

Sometimes liquid courage gets the best of us — so stay away from alcohol if you don't think you can control yourself while under the influence.

13. DON'T SOCIAL MEDIA YOUR WORK EVENT.

Avoid posting negative comments to social media about how "lame" the party was, or how much the food "was." Also, do not  post photos of your colleagues taking shots or engaging in other inappropriate behavior.

14. DON'T MAKE A FOOL OF YOURSELF.

Some people forget that the office holiday party is a work-related event and completely cut loose.

It's OK to have fun and celebrate the season — but use your head and think about the consequences of your actions. If you follow the first 11 rules, you should be fine.

15. DON'T FORGET TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ORGANIZER.

Make sure you say "goodbye" and "thank you" to the host or party organizers.

If you're not sure who was involved, or you don't see them at the party, follow up with an email the next day.

I also suggest that you keep these rules in mind should there be an " after party " at a Pub or Restaurant - you are on display  and need to be in Tip-Top form.

----

THANK YOU ALL FOR READING, SHARING AND COMMENTING ON MY ARTICLES THIS PAST YEAR - MORE TO COME IN 2017 AND KINDLY LIKE OUR FACEBOOK PAGE GroupoDiDonna.

https://www.facebook.com/Groupo-DiDonna-1700357256849543/

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL AND A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!

SANFORD DIDONNA