The Company Holiday Party: Do's and Don'ts

Holiday parties are a reality if you work for a business or other organization whether it is small, medium or large. Some people love them. Many people hate them. Either way, here is a list of “do’s” and “don’ts” for your review before you attend your upcoming holiday function.

Do:

• Attend your holiday event unless you are in the hospital or away on business
• Wear something appropriate to the invitation. When in doubt, dress-up but do not over dress. Santa suits, Santa ties and holiday sweaters have been overdone through the years and are considered in poor taste.
• Drink ginger ale, tonic, diet Coke or club soda.
• Make a point to speak with your boss and her boss plus as many of their peers as possible. Always introduce yourself and say where you work and what department you are in. This is important.
• Arrive early – most people will still be sober.
• Eat food at the event unless you plan to have a full meal before.
• Bring your spouse or significant other if that is allowed. It will give you someone to talk to after you have talked to the important people.
• Work the room. Do not just stand by the bar, the food table or in the corner.
• Bring business cards. Even if you all work for the same company.
• Look your best. This is not a good time to show off your counterculture other self.
• View this as a “career opportunity” like a big meeting or a business trip.

Don’t:

• Over or under dress
• Bring a first date. Only bring someone you are serious about - like your spouse or significant other.
• Show up half way through the function, especially after attending another event.
• Make-up for your 6 month diet by eating everything in sight.
• Hang-out with the people on your staff or the people who have cubicles near you. This is not middle school.
• Stick the celery or straws up your nose to get some laughs.
• Dance unless you know how. If you do not know what this means, then play it safe – DON’T DANCE.
• Try to break your college drinking record.
• Throw-up on your boss or her spouse.
• Make the moves on any member of the opposite (or same) sex who works for your company while at the function. This applies to co-workers’ spouses and dates too.
• Stand on your chair, table, the bar or anything other than the floor
• Wear any part of the holiday decorations
• Talk about your religion
• Talk about office politics – you never know who is standing next to you or behind you.
• Be one of the last to leave.
• Do anything that you would not want to see in your next performance appraisal or on the front page of the newspaper.

While nearly everyone complains about holiday parties, they endure year after years, in business good times and in bad. Make the best out of the opportunity.

George F. Franks, III is the founder and President of Franks Consulting Group, a Bethesda, Maryland management consulting and leadership coaching practice. He is a member of the Institute of Management Consultants (USA) and the International Coach Federation. His web site is:

http://franksconsultinggroup.com