How to Behave at Office Parties
As the holiday season approaches, there are usually festive occasions organized in the workplace ranging from pot luck luncheons to formal holiday parties.
These are great opportunities to celebrate accomplishments, teamwork and friendship, not to mention, just having a good time.
However, there are certain Do’s and Don’ts of office party behavior that can impact the enjoyment of the party as well as your professional image and career.
- Party Commitments
Whether organizing a company pot luck luncheon or more formal holiday party, you may be asked to contribute food, time or a small donation. Though most of us believe that it’s important to keep commitments, it is even more so at the workplace, because it impacts your reputation and possibly, your career.
Don’t hesitate to volunteer, unless you are positive that you won’t be able to follow through. It is better to be truthful about it, than make big promises that you can’t keep. If you can’t commit to taking an active part in the party preparation, then a cash donation towards beverages or party supplies would be appropriate and welcome by the party planners.
But if you volunteer to bring or do something, be sure to follow through. If you are bringing a dish, make sure it’s well-presented and is complete with serving utensils. Coordinate with your party planners ahead of time as to what is needed and make sure there is a good amount.
Many office parties may have some fun, or even silly activities like skits, song parodies or speeches. If volunteering to participate in the writing or acting, be sure to put your best effort forward and prepare these activities well. Everyone realizes that these are not professional productions, but a poorly prepared piece makes you look bad and can kill the party buzz.
But be prepared to play it for laughs and be a good sport about participating and just being silly.
If called upon to do a special speech or presentation, keep a good balance between the humor and serious side and do justice to the person or subject. This is a great opportunity to show off your presentation skills in front of the whole company.
- Dressing Up
On the day of the office party, people will tend to dress somewhat nicer to add a little holiday flair. However, be sure to be mindful of dress code policies, unless there were specific communications from management relaxing them.
As this is still a work-related party, women should take care not to dress overly provocatively, even if it is a formal party located off the worksite. Good taste should prevail and if spouses or dates are attending, they should remember that they are representing their significant other at a work function.
Since people will be in close quarters and around food, both men and women should use perfume and cologne moderately. Needless to say, your personal grooming and hygiene should be of the usual high standard.
- General Behavior
Office parties are notorious for making and ruining reputations. The number one reason for this is the alcohol, coupled with the relaxation of professional comportment at a party.
It’s a good idea to keep a close watch on yourself and your date when it comes to alcohol consumption. Even if you are not prone to dancing on tables, a few too many drinks might make you a little tipsy and uncoordinated, so that at the very least, you might spill something on yourself or someone else, causing a great deal of embarrassment. Even though the drinks might be free, that’s no excuse for trying to see how much you can consume.
This goes for making too many trips to the buffet table. While there is nothing really wrong with it, you should be aware that people are taking note of it and the party is really an extension of the workplace.
Though romance may spark at a holiday party, it is really not the best place to declare your romantic longing or engage in some “Dirty dancing”. It is equally harmful to men and women, as women may garner some unwanted reputation and women at the office may begin to think sexual harassment as soon as the man in question looks at them. Though the whole subject of office dating is never straight forward, if it happens, it should not be a public spectacle.
On the other hand, take the opportunity of a holiday party to get to know your co-workers better and use it as a networking opportunity. However, be aware of the fact that your or your co-worker’s date may not want to hear every detail of your work activities. Remember that this is basically a fun event, even if it is only workplace related.
By following these simple guidelines and good common sense, there is no reason that you can’t have a great time at the office party and make a positive impression on all of your co-workers.
