Have you seen people behaving badly at a work Christmas party? Have you yourself let the silly season get the better of you and taken things a bit too far? If you have, you're probably already somewhat aware of how a few bad decisions during festive celebrations can put your job at risk and damage your career.
Consider for a moment the HR manager who got so drunk she fell over on the dance floor and had to be carried to a taxi by the CEO. How well positioned do you think she was the next day to hold other people accountable to acceptable standards of conduct? What about the client service administrator who chose to tell the business owner what he really thought of him; which for the record wasn't good. How likely do you think it is that he will keep his job, let alone advance with that business?
Karen Gately says Christmas parties shouldn't be a stress or embarrassment.Credit:Kon Iatrou
Year after year I observe people making the same mistakes at times with devastating consequences for their reputation. The truth is, however, staying out of trouble isn't hard, and it just takes a modicum of decorum and self-control. Among the most important golden rules of Christmas party conduct are these:
1. Drink responsibly. Feel free to have a few drinks with your colleagues if that's your preference, just make sure you remain in control of your behaviour. No matter how well you think you handle alcohol, the simple truth is when intoxicated you are entirely more likely to behave in ways you will later regret.
2. Understand there is a time and place for everything. Being sexually overt is unlikely to impress many. Unwelcome advances, public declarations of lust and "getting it on" on the dance floor are unlikely to earn you respect. Seductively grinding away to the music might seem fun in the moment but is unlikely to help your career.
3. Be polite and grateful. If you are unhappy with the choice of event, venue or catering, keep your thoughts to yourself. It's OK to respectively offer constructive feedback, but during the party is not the appropriate time for that. Broadcasting disapproval and failing to be grateful is unlikely to be well received from the people organising the event and the people they work for.
4. Dress well. Avoid being provocative. The work Christmas party isn't the ideal time to make a statement with your clothes. The outfit you choose reflects not only your fashion sense but also your judgment skills. Assess what is culturally appropriate for your organisation and dress accordingly. Understand the dress code for the event and meet it.
5. Be on time. Don't panic if you're running a little late, but appreciate also that turning up well into the event is rude and likely to be frowned upon. Arriving during the speeches to a meal that has gone cold waiting for you will probably be noticed. Treat your hosts with respect and have the courtesy to let them know if you will be late.
6. Stay a while. It's unlikely to go down well if you leave too early. Spend enough time to demonstrate appreciation for the effort that has been made. Demonstrate also interest in spending some time with your colleagues. Don't underestimate the extent to which your ability to be a team player is judged by your efforts to mingle and spend time with your colleagues.
7. Remember your manners. No matter how enticing the buffet, don't over indulge. Gluttony is unattractive to most people. Eating with your hands (unless it's that kind of meal), leaping on the last piece of cake or burping after a swig of beer are all likely to have people questioning your maturity.
8. Be nice. Don't start arguments. If you have a problem with a colleague, hold your tongue and deal with it at a more appropriate time. It's beyond poor form to take up issues while people are trying to relax and celebrate. As tempting as it may be, the Christmas party is not a good time to deliver constructive feedback to your manager either. Doing it drunk can have disastrous ramifications for your career come Monday morning.
Karen Gately is a leadership and people-management specialist and a founder of Ryan Gately. She is the author of The People Manager's Toolkit: A Practical guide to getting the best from people, and The Corporate Dojo: Driving extraordinary results through spirited people. Visit karengately.com.au.
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