4 ways to stay out of trouble at this year’s Christmas party
It’s that time of year when the weather is getting warm, the kids have almost finished school, and your calendar is filling up with holiday gatherings – which means it’s almost time for the work Christmas party.
While the event is a great way to celebrate a year’s worth of work and build stronger connections with your colleagues, it’s important to remember that it still takes place in a professional context.
We’ve all heard stories about people taking the celebrations too far and damaging their reputation in the process.
“To avoid doing anything you might regret, it’s about setting some expectations around how you would like to behave,” explains Miranda Doessel, partner at u&u Recruitment Partners.
Whether you’re new to the workforce, a newbie in your workplace, or simply keen on a refresher, these tips will help you stay out of trouble at the work Christmas party.
Remember you’re in a work environment
Even if your Christmas party is held off site – in a restaurant or function room, for example – you’re still in a work environment. The same goes for events held outside your usual working hours.
“This means you still need to remember to present yourself in an appropriate manner, as you would in the workplace,” Doessel says.
With all the excitement and raised glasses it’s easy to get carried away, so it’s important to keep yourself in check.
Doessel recommends choosing three words that represent how you’d like to be viewed by your colleagues and using them to guide your behaviour. You might choose words like ‘professional’, ‘respectful’, and ‘friendly’.
Read the room
The work Christmas party is an ideal time to talk about things other than work, but it isn’t the right time to share extreme opinions or start big debates.
“It’s a great opportunity to connect with colleagues on a deeper level than what you can in the workplace, but you should always remember that those conversations need to remain professional” Doessel says.
What’s off limits depends on your workplace, so it can be helpful to “take in what other people are talking about to gauge what might be appropriate,” she says.
If the people around you are talking about light-hearted topics like holiday plans or favourite movies, it’s a good sign to keep the conversation fun and upbeat. If the discussion veers into more sensitive subjects, proceed with caution.
Beware of the gossip trap
“Unfortunately, the reality is that workplace gossip can and will happen at the Christmas party,” Doessel says. Obviously, you don't want to be at the centre of the gossip because of your behaviour – but it’s also important not be seen to be the one gossiping or spreading rumours.
Doessel says there can be a fine line between social chit-chat and talking out of turn and recommends a simple rule of thumb: “If you would be comfortable for somebody to record the conversation and put it on the internet with your name to it, then it’s probably okay.”
“But it’s always safer to be more professional than less professional when it comes to these sorts of conversations,” she says.
Set limits for drinking
When it comes to alcohol, it pays to have a plan of attack. Go to the party knowing how much you’ll drink and when you’ll call it quits.
“Every workplace and every individual is different, but it’s critical for each person to know their limits and stick to their limits in order to avoid having inappropriate conversations or behaving inappropriately,” Doessel says.
“Setting yourself some limits before you arrive and having a time when you’ll ‘call it’ can be helpful to ensure that you wake up the next morning not feeling embarrassed or having any regrets.”
To ensure a fun and trouble-free work Christmas party, it’s essential to be mindful of your actions and how they may look to those around you.
By following these tips, you can celebrate the year’s achievements and enjoy a fun time with your colleagues, all while avoiding any awkward moments or negative consequences.
