Avoiding The Office Party Minefield

It’s tough enough to manage office politics and gossip around the water cooler during the year, but the holidays can be a minefield.  Holidays bring good cheer and relaxed work habits, but they also bring the office party.  Yahoo Business warns against drinking too much and then doing things you  don’t even know you were capable of.  You can work all year building a professional image and doing all the right things and then blow it taking center stage for karaoke at the office party.

You can always stay home or find some excuse to miss the party.  Attendance may be optional, but if you don’t show up, you may be labeled stand-offish or even worse, anti-social.  No matter how much you may hate the socializing, it’s the time and place to  see and be seen with your team.

An article in Infinisource Newsroom years ago gave some tips on how to avoid embarrassment at the office party.  These guidelines for employers helped to minimize the risk and liability associated with office parties.  They warned against having an open bar—an invitation to disaster.  If you do want the alcohol to flow, they suggest providing transportation, keeping the drunks off the road.  Making attendance optional doesn’t put pressure on those who don’t like social situations, may not drink or feel comfortable with those who do, or who would rather spend their time with family after work. 

This year, they added additional suggestions.  Music tastes differ, and party planners should find a deejay that will play a mix of music to fit the crowd and avoid music that will offend.  In addition to a designated driver or taxi service, companies need someone who will watch the party to determine if it is getting out of hand and needs to stop. 

This is good advice for employers, but what about attending the party?  If you feel like you have to attend (and you probably should) what are some guidelines to get through and actually enjoy the party and face the crowd the day afterward?

Buddy up with a trusted co-worker.  Agree to be your “brother’s keeper” and vice versa.  It’s easy to lose track of how many drinks you’ve had, so enlist a fellow co-worker to keep track for you. 

Give yourself a curfew.  Make arrangements to meet friends or family for dinner at a certain time so you’ll have to leave the party before you’ve lost all control of your senses.  Having an “out” can come in handy when co-workers or the boss are pressuring you to join in a drinking game or do the limbo.

Talk to your boss, his/her spouse and upper-level managers, key clients or corporate execs early in the evening.  That way, if you have a few too many drinks later in the party, you’ve already made the necessary pleasantries and don’t have to engage in conversation. 

Just to be sure, have a designated driver, or the number of a good taxi service.  If you don’t trust yourself after a few drinks, give your keys to someone to hold so you can’t get in harm’s way.

Office parties are supposed to be a fun, relaxing way to enjoy the holidays and close out a productive work year.  Use these tips to enjoy the party, your co-workers, and face the crowd without regrets the next work day.

Photo Source:  Freedigitalphotos.net