Party politics
Don’t let a drunken pash or twerk undo all your hard work for the year — follow these tips for keeping yourself nice at the office Christmas party
IT’S officially Christmas party season for offices and businesses right across Geelong and I’ve been busy brushing up on the rule book of Christmas party do’s and don’ts.
It certainly makes interesting reading as my small business gets ready to drag out the tinsel for a client party and also a staff knees-up, to celebrate the year that was.
Some of the feedback that consistently rings true is how it’s all too easy for revellers to forget that the office party it is still a business activity, not just a social gathering.
A little bit of research online and too much alcohol came up (not literally) time and again, as the most common mistake at office parties. Let the free alcohol flow freely and watch the drunkenness ignite a career blunder that you’ll find hard not to regret.
While it’s terrific to feel relaxed and at ease with clients and fellow workmates, the office end-of-year celebration is seriously not the time to let it all hang out and take on a Bob Hawke-style drinking challenge.
It can be a source of hilarity for everyone else, but if that drunken person is you, news flash — they’re laughing at you, not with you.
So play it safe and play it sensible.
Limit yourself to a couple of glasses and stop while you’re still in control of your faculties, your conversation and your ‘helpful and honest’ feedback, or you’ll be the casualty everyone is talking about the next day.
Remember, the office Christmas party is still a work event and you are still being watched by your superiors and colleagues, and your actions are still accountable if you want to keep your career heading in the right direction.
However, in a glass half-full view of the world, the office Christmas party is also a great opportunity to connect with your colleagues outside of the daily confines of work and it can help you build on those supportive team networks we all need to get things done well.
So appropriate office behaviour. Tick.
Now, what to wear? Good question to ask. If there is a dress code, stick to it. The office ‘do’ isn’t the time to be turning up wearing more makeup than Boy George, or more glitter than the Christmas tree and nor is it a time to reveal whatever hidden assets you’d normally keep safely covered in a work environment. #skinisnotin
So the boss has invited you but, given all the caveats about the potential pitfalls, should you go?
There’s no doubt Christmas is a very busy time, but if you are invited, do make the effort to go because people will rightfully expect you to be there. Don’t arrive too late and don’t leave too early because sometimes a great night out is the social cement that turns work mates into real mates.
Having said that, beware the urge to drink and text or tweet or Facebook. Or if you are going to look after the social media work for the night, take a hint and do it early ... before what was hilarious at midnight looks potentially legally actionable in the cold, hard light of the next morning.
Perhaps not surprisingly, alcohol-fuelled romance is often in the air at holiday season events, and according to one poll 20 per cent of staff admit to having kissed a colleague and 14 per cent said they flirted with the boss at the Christmas party.
Also on the list of ‘possibly not the smartest things to do at the work party’ was one in 50 people saying they’d actually quit their job at the office party and one in 10 calling on their Dutch courage to demand a pay rise in the middle of the festivities. Sadly, twerking also featured.
The office or client party is a great opportunity to get to know the people you work with, in a more friendly and relaxed environment. So lighten up, mingle and enjoy it.
A word of warning though for the bosses among us. Remember as party host to stick to the rules about the responsible service of alcohol — a three-course meal isn’t a three bar destination hit list.
And do make sure you’ve made allowances for staff members to get home safely, whether that’s about arranging transport or being prepared to reimburse cab or Uber costs.
Well before the party, do remind your team of your expectations of their behaviour as representatives of your company. Big business or small business, it makes no difference, set sensible expectations and follow them from the top down.
So hopefully my team won’t be witnessing me attempting to surf down the hallway, in bare feet, on next year’s wall planner with a glass of wine in my hand. Hopefully.
And if you are going to an outside venue for your party, remember to support all of the terrific hospitality venues across Geelong and book local.
Merry Christmas everyone!