What do you get when you mix a team of tipsy employees with a healthy dose of festive cheer? It could be an enjoyable event filled with merriment and team bonding… or, it could be a recipe for disaster.
At the risk of sounding like a Grinch, work Christmas parties have a reputation for bringing out the wild side of people. So if you want to make it through this silly season unscathed, bookmark this article because we’re about to help you wake up on the right side of the bed once the festivities are done and dusted.
Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself
It may be the most obvious tip, but whether your work Christmas party is a lavish affair or a BYO bash at the office, try to avoid partying too hard. No matter how quickly the alcohol goes to your head, there’s no excuse for acting the fool. Naturally you have every right to let your hair down and enjoy the party – it’s the end of the year, and you deserve to be rewarded for all your hard work. But there’s a big difference between having fun and embarrassing yourself.
To avoid losing all your inhibitions, be sure to pace yourself. Drink plenty of water and try not to consume more booze than your body can handle. Getting a little tipsy is fine, but no one likes a messy drunk.
Avoid Office Gossip
Alcohol has a way of loosening people’s lips at work functions. Even if you’re not in the habit of gossiping about your colleagues, who knows what you might blurt out after one too many wines. It’s easy to get caught up in the ‘he said, she said’ drama, but there are ways to avoid it. No matter how juicy the office gossip is, do your best to rise above it.
There’s no harm in making conversation with your colleagues, but try to steer clear of chatting about co-workers. It can be tempting to whisper about who’s dating whom, who’s getting promoted, and why so-and-so is resigning – but if anything gets back to the person being talked about, you could find yourself in hot water come Monday.
Stick with safe topics like holidays, house hunting, kids and sport if you want to avoid becoming known as the resident rumour-mill. It can be tempting to whisper about who’s dating whom, who’s getting promoted, and why so-and-so is resigning – but if anything gets back to the person being talked about, you could find yourself in hot water come Monday.
Don’t Be Sleazy
Office romances can be problematic at the best of times, let alone when they’re fueled by alcohol and end-of-year glee. While some people can form healthy relationships in the workplace, there’s a time and a place for that sort of thing. Given the high potential for awkwardness associated with dating a co-worker, a work Christmas party probably isn’t the best place to go looking for love.
If you’ve been trying to work up the courage to ask out one of your colleagues, proceed with caution. Don’t let Dutch courage blind you to reality – if your crush has made it clear they’re not interested, leave them alone. Being inappropriate with a co-worker is one of the quickest ways to get yourself fired (or find yourself on the receiving end of a sexual harassment lawsuit).
Don’t Grumble
If it’s been a rough couple of months at work, you might be in the mood to vent your frustrations. But before you start ranting about the terrible conditions at your company, take a minute to check who is listening. Going on a tirade about how much you hate your job within earshot of your boss isn’t going to do you any favours. If you’re unhappy at work, make an appointment to speak with HR or your line manager during business hours.
Beware of Social Media
Now that so many of us use social media, sharing photos from an event is nothing out of the ordinary. But be sure to understand the line where sharing turns into oversharing. It might seem like a great idea at the time to share a photo of your co-worker passed out at the bar, but not everyone is going to appreciate that kind of public humiliation.
While posting a few happy snaps on Facebook isn’t going to hurt anyone, just be careful with the kind of content you share. Anything that could embarrass your colleagues (or get them into trouble) is best kept private.
No one likes a Messy Margaret or a Loose-Lipped Larry at the office celebration. Save the shots for the weekend and keep it classy at your Christmas party.
If your first thought is “Christmas party, what Christmas party?” you might like to print out this blog and leave it on your boss’ desk – Your boss thinks the work Christmas party is a waste of time, here’s why it’s not.
After your holiday comes to an end, ease back into work with these tips.
Block Some Time Out
Give yourself an hour or so to catch up on emails and get back into the swing of things. Be sure to block this time out in your calendar so you’re not interrupted.
Leave Your Out-Of-Office On
Leave your automatic email response on while you get back into the swing of things to avoid an influx of requests from colleagues and clients.
Manage Your Stress
Upon returning to work, use these practical strategies to manage your stress and maintain a healthy work/life balance.
