subject: Holiday Office Parties: Be On Your Best Behavior [print this page] 'Tis the season to drink too much and make a fool out of yourself in front of your boss! If you want to put your best foot forward at your upcoming holiday office party, it's important to gather your bearings and create a plan of attack in advance. While it is possible to have fun at a work-related holiday function, it's also critical to pace yourself and prevent any embarrassing mishaps.
Making one innocent mistake at a relaxed holiday office party can haunt you for the rest of your working career. Nine out of 10 executives revealed that inappropriate behavior at an office party can affect a staff member's career prospects, based on a recent survey by The Creative Group.
To protect your career and still celebrate the season, here are a few proactive tips to consider:
1. Go easy on the free bar. If your office has provided an open bar for all employees, watch out! The biggest mistake that you can make is over indulging, which could lead to loose lips, an angry outburst, a crying episode, or worse. Although it may be hard to resist free drinks, try to pace yourself at one drink per hour. Additionally, make sure to book reliable transportation, like a limo or luxury town car, in advance so that you don't have to worry about driving home after having a few cocktails.
2. Save your confessions. If you've always had feelings for a coworker, an office party may not be the time to confess your undying love. Or, if you didn't finish a report on time or fudged the numbers last quarter, a holiday party isn't the right time to come clean with your boss. If you have any type of serious matter to discuss with a coworker or superior, save it for a set meeting during working hours.
3. Steer clear of social media. If you and your coworkers are having a rip-roaring time at the office Christmas party, refrain from posting every tipsy photo of your group on Facebook. If you take pictures with your work crew, save them for the next day before posting to make sure that they're appropriate. You may also want to get permission before posting pics of other coworkers who may not want their personal pictures added to your Facebook newsfeed.
4. Don't crash the party. Even if it sounds like a great idea to bring a few friends to an office party, make sure to clear it with your boss in advance. If a holiday office party is staff members only, it's a definite faux pas to bring your posse or even a date if it hasn't been approved by a supervisor.
5. Edit your jokes. Though it may seem hilarious to poke fun at your boss in a casual setting, make sure that your jokes remain appropriate and respectful. A higher-up can easily get offended if they become the butt of a joke after you've had a few drinks.
A holiday office party can be a wonderful time of celebration. By using a little bit of common sense, you can have a great time with coworkers - without sabotaging your career!
