Jobs & Education

Surviving the Christmas Party

It seems that few of us can avoid embarrassing gaffes at the annual company bash. A huge 93% of office workers have experienced embarrassing behaviour by usually professional colleagues, according to a survey by OfficeSmart, an office supply firm. More than half saw arguments breaking out, nearly one third of which developed into a physical fight. And 64% of office workers know of affairs that had started under the office mistletoe.

What can you do to ensure that your behaviour doesn’t cause your career prospects to evaporate as quickly as the alcohol in the corporate punch bowl?

Whether you love the office Christmas party or loathe it, you won’t do yourself any favours if you don’t attend. Your absence could mark you out as someone who is not a team player. By all means head off home before the end, but put in an appearance.

While there, don’t talk too much about work. You’ll be labelled as the office bore, and you’ll be passing up a golden opportunity to show other aspects of your personality to the people who matter - and potentially to make new friends. Remember that a party is also a good opportunity to network with colleagues you don’t know well, particularly senior management.

There is one reason for the notoriety of Christmas parties: alcohol. It’s easy to drink too much and make fools of ourselves. Enjoy a tipple by all means, but alternate your intake with soft drinks to maintain a clearer head. It is wise to avoid getting plastered, particularly if clients are present.

Many people spend more time with their work colleagues than with their family and friends. So it’s unsurprising that romantic attachments flourish at work. In fact, one third of couples meet at work, various studies have found. However, using the annual office bash to make your move on the workmate you’ve always fancied is a dangerous strategy.

At worst, you could be accused of harassment; at best you could be made to look a fool. Don’t use the event to lead anyone on, either. Remember that you’ve got to work with them all year. Avoid sitting on anyone’s knees, or ‘joke’ kissing under the mistletoe.

And don’t use the party as an opportunity to settle office scores, or to confront people who make your job difficult. Don’t say things to colleagues you wouldn’t say in the course of a day at the office. Avoid provocative phrases like “I've never liked you”, “Why won't you promote me?” and “I could do your job with a paper bag over my head”.

Whatever you do, don’t take drugs – even if others around you are doing so. In one employment tribunal case in 2003, a manager was found to have been fairly dismissed after she took illegal narcotics at a party, even though many other employees had done the same. The tribunal felt that quite apart from the illegality of her behaviour, she had damaged her credibility as a manager with her junior colleagues.

If you wake up the day after and have a sinking feeling that you stepped out of line, prompt and gracious behaviour is called for. A straightforward apology (and perhaps a bunch of flowers) can help repair your reputation. And be prepared to accept an official admonishment.