Getting too holly jolly at office party can hurt career
By Anita Bruzzese
You've worked hard all year, making sure you've gone above and beyond the call of duty. You've worked overtime, taken on new projects and tried to do everything the boss wants. You just know that the promotion you've been striving for is right around the corner.
So, when it comes time for the annual holiday office party, you feel like cutting loose a bit. You have an extra glass of wine (or two), and even crack a few jokes with the boss' significant other. You chuckle just thinking about the look of surprise your co-workers will have when they open holiday gifts from you: tickets to an XXX-rated theater. Hilarious!
You boogie the night away at the office shindig, even doing your best dance moves on a table. You're the last one to leave — no one can say you're a party pooper!
Arriving at the office Monday morning, the whispers and odd looks begin.
On your desk is a pair of the movie tickets you gave as a gift with a "no thanks, you sicko" note attached.
As the day goes on, you find out that not only do others think you made an idiot of yourself at the party, but the boss was not thrilled that you told "improper" jokes to a significant other.
All in all, your holiday season has become an unmitigated disaster. You're going to be lucky if you're considered for the promotion, let alone not lose your job altogether.
Every year, workers receive warnings about proper behavior during the holiday season. The reason for the repeated alarms: Every year, some employees believe they know best when it comes to social/ work behavior, and then go stumbling headlong into career disaster. The result of such ineptness can range from losing a job to being turned down for a promotion to losing the respect of both management and rank-and-file employees.
Four years ago, 64 percent of executives polled by Office Team said the annual office holiday party had fallen out of favor.
But the spirit of the season seems to have been revived, as now 73 percent of managers at Fortune 1,000 companies say they host an office party. That means chances are good that you'll have some kind of work festivity, ranging from a potluck lunch to an off-site party with food and drink provided by the company.
And while behavior during a company event is always under scrutiny, so is the practice of giving gifts during the holidays. Give the right gift, and your reputation can earn a few points. Give the wrong thing, and you could be seen in a negative light — or even fired. (Sexually explicit or "suggestive" gifts can be seen as sexual harassment.)
While we all gather around to celebrate this season of joy and love, let's consider a few things that can get your butt in a sling:
If you're not sure what to wear, consider a business suit with a festive blouse or tie. Wear shoes that you can comfortably stand in for long periods and don't wear heels that might cause you to lose your footing. (Employers fear lawsuits from falls, and no one likes to slip on a dance floor.) Remember: It's better to be too conservatively dressed rather than risk being the subject of gossip on Monday.
Drink in moderation and always make sure you've planned ahead for a designated driver. Employers have been sued when an employee has caused an accident after drinking at an office function.
Keep the gifts to co-workers equal in value. You are not required to give the boss a gift, but many workers find that at least sending a holiday card to the boss and his or her family is appreciated.
Anita Bruzzese writes for Gannett News Service.
