Holiday Party Etiquette
It’s that time of year. You get the invitation to the office holiday party and one of two feelings comes over you. Either you are excited to socialize with your co-workers, or you get this overwhelming feeling of dread…and start to wonder how you can get out of it.
I bet you’ve had questions about corporate parties and weren’t sure who to ask. We here at TalentSource are here to help answer these pressing questions:
DO I HAVE TO GO?
Yes, you must go. Unless you are ill (with a verifiable sickness and didn’t attend work the day of the party) or have another once-in-a-lifetime kind of event that conflicts with your office party, you need to go.
WHAT IF I DRINK TOO MUCH?
If you think you had too much to drink, you did. Be sure to get ahead of your actions before your actions dictate your career. Apologize to whomever you feel you were “a little too much with”. Admitting you failed to pace your drinking, and that it caught up with you. Start with a trusted work friend, especially if your memory is hazy. Remember, it is acceptable to completely forgo cocktails at your work party. This is advised if you are worried about potentially overindulging.
TalentSource Pro Tip: When attending corporate parties, be sure to eat something before you go to the party. This will help unintentionally drinking alcohol on an empty stomach.
WHAT IF SOMETHING AWKWARD OR UNCOMFORTABLE HAPPENS?
If you were the culprit of the awkward moment, take a deep breath, acknowledge the situation admit your mistake, and if appropriate, interject levity to the situation. Laughter is a great healer of awkward moments.
If the situation was with a co-worker, it is important to not react with haste. Was the situation something out of character for the co-worker? If so, first allow a bit of time for your co-worker to apologize to you. If after the party no apology materializes, voice your concerns directly and privately with the co-worker. By saying, “I was uncomfortable with your comment at the holiday party”, you speak your mind and allow your co-worker to be more mindful of comments in the future.
However, if what was said or done makes you feel unsafe, violates your company’s policies, or verges on the line of harassment, talk to your supervisor or your HR manager. If your safety is an issue, seek out management assistance immediately. This is a conversation that is best done in private.
TalentSource Pro Tip: Sometimes with awkward situations with co-workers, “sleeping on it” (so to speak) is the best way to gather your thoughts and not emotionally react.
DO I NEED TO GIVE A HOLIDAY GIFT TO MY BOSS?
Going strictly by what etiquette dictates, gift-giving in the workplace should flow downward, not upward (meaning that your boss can give you a gift, but employees shouldn’t be expected to give gifts to their managers). This is because of the power dynamics at play. So, unless you are planning on giving a little something to everyone in your office or department, no, you shouldn’t get your boss a gift.
WHAT ARE THE GENERAL ETIQUETTE RULES FOR WORK CHRISTMAS PARTIES?
- Don’t be the first one there, and don’t be the last one to leave. Even if you are only going to make an appearance at the party, plan on staying for at least an hour.
- Moderation is the theme of the night. Don’t talk too much, don’t wear too much sparkle or skin, don’t eat too much, drink too much.
- Avoid gossip and sensitive or inappropriate conversation topics. The office holiday party is not the place to talk politics, religion, gossip about co-workers, or discuss a project you’ve been working on. If someone else brings up a topic that isn’t exactly “holiday party” appropriate, redirect the conversation by asking a question like, “Will you be hosting your family’s holiday gathering at your home this year?” Or “How is your son doing in basketball this season?” Keep conversation to meaningful small talk, the topics should be light, and showing interest in others is the key.
- Network and work the room. This is a great opportunity to mingle with people at your company you wouldn’t normally interact with. If you work at a large corporation, practice introducing yourself. You don’t want to be stumped for words when the CEO introduces himself to you.
- Beware of posting photos on social media. Ask permission of anyone in the photos, and closely look at the photo you want to post, even at what is going on in the background. Make sure no one is in a compromising position or chugging a libation.
- Thank the hosts and the organizers of the party. Typically, the host is the company’s owner and/or CEO/President. The organizers are the committee members who work hard to put the party on.
Finally, if you are considering a new career, the holiday party might be a good time to honestly sit back and assess your options. If the culture at your current organization is not one you align with, maybe it is time to weigh your options. You can start doing that by checking out our career openings here. At TalentSource, we believe our Smart Recruiting system can help you find the career of your dreams. We can’t wait to meet you!