Follow this advice to smoothly navigate your way through the evening with your job still intact.
With the holidays just around the corner many companies are gearing up for the holiday party. However, there are some rules employees must remember if they are to survive a holiday party with their career intact.
- Holiday parties can be varied depending on the company. Find out the atmosphere of the party so there are no surprises. Are dates allowed? Are children allowed? Find out the dress code, whether it’s business casual or quite dressy, so there are no awkward moments when someone walks in wearing slacks and a blouse when everyone is wearing dresses and tuxes.
- Business etiquette expert, Hilka Klinkenberg, states, “the cardinal rule is to remember that no matter how festive the occasion, it’s still about business.” This is a business function. Keep in mind the bosses may be watching throughout the party just to see how people are interacting with one another.
- Keep everything in moderation. This includes eating and drinking. Employees are not there to enjoy the immaculate food in mass quantities, they are there to socialize and network. But on the flip side, eat or drink something. If nothing is consumed, this might come off as a snub to the committee that put the party together.
- Dr. Randall S. Hansen, Ph. D., founder of Quintessential Careers, advises employees to keep drinks or small plates of food in the left hand. That way the right hand is free for greeting people and the person won’t get a cold, wet handshake or a dirty one either.
- Do not pass up the holiday party invitation unless absolutely necessary. Dr. Hansen advises employees to stay at least 30 minutes but also not to stay too long. Leave while it's still fun, but before it starts to drag on. Nobody will look kindly upon employees who dance, party and socialize into the wee hours.
- If spouses are invited, make sure they’re briefed on who certain people are and possibly the people to try and keep their distance from. The employee's spouse is probably keyed in on the details, good and bad, of the office. They probably know things they shouldn’t. Remind the spouse what they can and cannot bring up, who the executives are and how to pronounce their names.
- Remember that not everyone has the same religious views so don't say “Christmas party” or go around wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. Don’t accidentally make someone feel alienated or uncomfortable if they don’t celebrate Christmas.
- Don’t monopolize conversations with coworkers. An employee that talks too much will look overindulgent and self-centered. Avoid complaining, being pessimistic or talking only about work.
- Avoid only socializing with the same group of people socialized with during business hours. This will look like a clique and is not what the party is intended for. This is a chance to branch out and network with some departments that may not be all that familiar or accessible during the business day.
Copyright Katy Gaffney. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.
Katy Gaffney - Katy Gaffney graduated from University of Northern Colorado with a degree in Journalism and Public Relations. She has a background in ...
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