Holiday Parties and you…

Justin H
Dec 2, 2016
3 min read

So I’ve written multiple holiday themed posts given the time of year. Another staple for many companies is the traditional holiday party. A time where the company provides a safe space for employees to socialize and cut loose without the pressure of a traditional workspace where output is recorded and deadlines need to get met. I feel with our own company party looming two weeks from today, it’s a good time to cover some DOs and DON’Ts when it comes to these parties.

DO: Show up especially if you’ve committed to going. So many people consider these parties to be voluntary attendance and many companies may feel the same, however you should consider something before you completely dismiss your attendance at this function. Your managers and executives will notice who isn’t and is there, who attends company sponsored events and who doesn’t. Do you want to be a team player? Join the team during the fun times, not just the work times.

DON’T: Forget that you are in front of your managers and executives. They will notice how you behave, regardless if the company allows alcohol during the party or not, and you don’t want to be the person that they have to get concerned about any time there’s a company event.

DO: Have fun. These events are (most times) hosted and paid for by the company, so allow yourself to relax and soak up some of that hard earned R&R (no pun intended), drink a little if there’s alcohol, do some party games, sing karaoke and whatever else the party has going on. Just participate and enjoy yourself.

DON’T: Be a stick in the mud. No one likes the creepy guy who sits in the corner and stares at everyone having fun. Don’t be that guy. That guy might just be really socially awkward, but if that guy tried, I’m sure he’d find at least one topic to converse with someone about at the party, and then even that guy can have fun. If you see that guy, drag that guy with you to your own escapades within the party. He’s there because he wants to have fun, he may just lack the confidence to put himself out there.

DO: Practice responsible drinking habits. Cut yourself off so you are safe to drink, or find a designated driver to take you home. Company parties are only fun as long as everyone is safe.

DON’T: Be the person that a company has to get a breathalyzer for. We have that one person in our company, and so this year a new policy has been instituted for all company sponsored and alcohol provided events: If you want to drink, you surrender your keys, and if you want your keys back, you have to blow clean into the breathalyzer. This is for the safety of all our employees during the holiday season, not to mention it helps to keep the company liability down if something were to happen.

These are just a few tips when hosting or attending a holiday party. For you owners out there, remember who it is that helped you have a successful year and make sure they feel duly recognized. If you are lower down that totem pole and working hard to make a living, remember that your company is there and providing a place for you to work, so make sure the company knows you are thankful for the opportunity to work with them towards the company goals.