It’s holiday season again, and you know what that means: parties are in full force, including the annual office celebration. It only comes once a year and despite the chance that it offers to celebrate the season over a cocktail or two, poor behaviour at the office party could affect your career. It has happened before and it will happen again. Don’t let it be you.
Go
Even if the venue is lame and the thought of spending more time than you need to with coworkers is torturous at best, at least make an appearance for an hour or so. If you don’t show up (especially without prior warning), your coworkers could see your behaviuor as pompous, assume that you had better plans, or that you couldn’t be bothered. And remember: someone’s hard work went into planning the whole thing, and anyone who has planned an event knows how annoying that can be… especially if it goes unappreciated.
No PDA
The office party is sure to draw a mixed crowd between all your unique coworkers and their significant others (assuming SOs are welcomed). No matter how in love you are, however, or how badly you want to show off your SO and your relationship (especially to that uptight secretary constantly flaunting her ring), take it easy with the PDA and lovey dovey stuff while at the office affair. It is unprofessional and inappropriate. Oh, and nobody really wants to hear in detail about your summer wedding plans.
No Shop Talk
There should be no office talk at the work holiday party; save that for Monday morning. You do enough of that with these people all the time and your date probably doesn’t want to hear about it. On the contrary, the office party may be a chance to discuss travel plans for the holidays, holiday entertaining ideas, the newest restaurants in the city… anything but work.
Easy on the Booze Intake
Although this has been the golden rule when it comes to the office party since the beginning of time, it must be reiterated once again. Despite the open bar and the free flowing wine with dinner, remain in control. If you have had a stressful week and can’t wait to let loose, you will still have time to do so elsewhere if you leave the party before midnight. You don’t want to feel sick with regret all weekend at what you said, your ridiculous (shirtless) dance moves, or how you were hitting on the intern.
Take it Easy With Instagram
The office holiday party doesn’t need to be documented via social media the same way your friend’s 30th birthday does. Prospective clients, competitors and others don’t need to know how much your boss blew (or didn’t) on an extravagant party, what your coworker’s SO looks like, or how drunk everyone got (not you, of course). Not to mention, gluing yourself to your smartphone isn’t the best look for the party.
Don’t Be the Last to Leave
As is the case for any party, don’t be the last to leave. Put in your time, enjoy yourself, then get out of there before the party becomes one quarter the size it started as. Remember, there are other places to keep the party going and nothing good will come from attempting to do so at the office party. You’ll thank yourself the next morning.