How to Enjoy the Christmas Party and not get Fired
The office Christmas party is a great way to let your hair down at the end of what is likely to have been another fraught working year. Unfortunately, such parties have often spelled the end of a beautiful working relationship, with drunken antics, inappropriate behaviour and quite often the sort of misconduct that could see you out of work by the New Year.
Most people greet the office Christmas party with a mixture of excitement and dread. It is great to spend social time with people that you rarely see out of work but with increasing focus on the relationship between our work and personal lives, many individuals struggle to know when enough’s enough. So how do you behave at the party without damaging your reputation?
Prepare and pace yourself
Never go into the office party on an empty stomach. If possible, have a sandwich or a reasonably substantial snack before you start drinking. Drinking on an empty stomach is always a nightmare and you want to be able to enjoy the whole evening. If you want to drink alcohol, then take it easy. Drink longer drinks that do not encourage you to consume vast quantities and do not be pulled in by the lure of free drinks (if appropriate). Why not try a mixture of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks? As an adult, you will know your limits and while you might happily exceed those with your friends, at a company function you should stay well below them.
Actively socialise
Try not to huddle around with one or two colleagues all evening. This is a great opportunity to catch up with people you only occasionally speak to, or even meet people you have only ever seen in the corridor. Being sociable and communicative will enhance your professional image. It will demonstrate how good you are at communicating with different people and how you enjoy meeting new people – core skills for a good team player.
Don’t be afraid to network
It might be a Christmas party, but there could still be a lot of professional business taking place. You need to remember that you may be drinking socially with these people, but some of them are your managers and leaders and you may be reliant on them for future development opportunities. Show an interest in what they have to say. Good ice breakers are questions about what they are doing for Christmas or what their favourite office party ever was. Do not be sycophantic. It is perfectly possible to have a sensible, professional conversation without creeping around them.
Nothing naughty please
You may be seriously attracted to somebody that you work with, but business rarely mixes well with pleasure. Even if you are getting on with somebody really well, and you think it might develop into something else, at the very least, keep it away from the party. One of the worst things that could happen would be for your peers and/or managers to see you copping off with somebody. It looks really unprofessional and shows a lack of self-restraint and integrity. Many relationships are formed when people work together but this should always develop away from the work place.
Support your colleagues
Keep an eye on your colleagues. If you think one of them has had too much to drink, quietly suggest that they have a glass of water. Do not let them stray into trouble. If everyone looks after everyone else then nothing embarrassing need ever happen. That doesn’t mean you have to be boring. You can take part in party games, singing and dancing but if you think it is getting unruly, then you could suggest to everyone that's enough for now or that you all move on to something else. You won’t be a party pooper – you will be the voice of reason.
Extra caution on company premises
If the Christmas party is on company property, be very cautious about what you do. Damage to company property, or any loss or theft from the office will be treated as gross misconduct. If you get drunk and get involved in an argument or simply say something offensive, the same will apply. You must remember that just because you aren’t on company time, it doesn’t mean that you aren’t bound by basic standards of conduct.
This might sound a bit dull and as though you aren’t allowed to have fun but that’s not true. There is no reason that you shouldn’t have a fantastic time at the party, but that does not mean you need to go wild either. Always protect your “brand”. Whatever you say and do, and whenever you say and do it there can be positive or negative impacts on your brand and you want to avoid the latter entirely.
