Our Christmas Awards Banquet/Christmas Party was last night. Several of our staff worked so very hard to pull off a great night. The decorations were beautiful, the food was great, the coffee bar was spectacular, and the presentations were well orchestrated. Safe to say, a good time was had by all.
…and all were very well behaved. Thankfully.
I hate to tell you how many years I’ve been in the workworld. Alot. That means alot of holiday parties. “Company Holiday Party” sounds like it should be a fun time, right? Fun, but not too much fun…
Helpful holiday hints are everywhere these days. But you’re here right now. So, I have a few tips to make sure you only check your coat–and not your career–at the door to the party hosted by the people who write your paycheck:
Do I have to tell you not too drink too much–at the party, or anywhere for that matter? But, no matter how many times we say it, somebody doesn’t listen. Getting blasted with your boss can’t be good for your career. Alcohol alters your judgement and all too soon you no longer have any good judgement left. It’ll make you do things that you’re going to regret. And, to avoid the judgement of others, you might consider limiting your number of trips to the bar–even if the alcohol has little effect on you. Pace your punch. Perception is everything and you don’t want to look as though you drink too much. Besides, it’s not your imagination, that dude from accounting is actually watching the bar tab.
By the way, don’t treat the bar at the office party like a singles bar. At closing time, the girl in customer service might look alot different out from under the glare of fluorescent bulbs. But on the main, workplace romances very rarely enhance anyone’s career image. And I have yet to hear of a one-night-stand that ever moved someone up the corporate ladder.
And a note to the girl in Customer Service. If you wouldn’t wear it to the office, don’t wear it to the office party. Puleeze, I know you wouldn’t wear sequins and sparkles from 9-5. You wouldn’t, would you? That’s not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about too low, too short, slit too high, that sort of thing.
You know, at an office party you’re around people you’re with probably more than you’re with your own family. And, it’s mixed with that party atmosphere. It’s easy to relax, to let your guard down. But don’t. You’re at a party, but it’s a work party. For all intents and purposes, you’re still at work. So don’t tell that funny but dirty joke, make that off-color comment, use profanity or talk about the guy in production. Don’t complain. Keep the shop talk to a minimum so they won’t think that you’re as boring in real life as you are at work. Don’t talk about people at the party. Don’t talk about people not at the party. It’s not nice.
To make sure you and yours aren’t the ones being talked about, be thoughtful of the guests you bring. Choose wisely and give them a copy of this blog.
