| Main Menu | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
| Login Form |
|---|
| Syndicate |
|---|
|
| Office Christmas party etiquette |
|
|
|
|
Office Christmas party etiquette AN EMPLOYEE at an IT company got so drunk at his Christmas party at a city bar he urinated off the balcony onto patrons at a restaurant below. The man, who said he'd consumed 15 beers, was then hit over the head by a colleague who had witnessed the incident, and had to be taken to hospital in an ambulance. When the man was sacked for his behaviour he had the cheek to claim unfair dismissal. Not surprisingly the Industrial Relations Commission upheld his termination. Then there was the staff member at a Christmas karaoke cruise on Sydney Harbour last year who was so nervous about singing in front of colleagues he threw back a couple of vodka shots for Dutch courage. After confidently belting out a tune he vomited in front of co-workers and fell off the side of the boat. The water police were called and reports had to be taken. Christmas party season is fraught with danger says Patsy Rowe, business etiquette adviser and author of Business Etiquette: achieving a competitive edge in business. She said it was best to approach the office Christmas party with extreme caution. Should workers be overly cautious at the office Christmas party, or let their hair down and have fun? Tell us below. Don’t let it all out Vomiting and crying at Christmas parties due to over-indulgence was common and a quick way to lose the respect of your peers, according to Ms Rowe. How do the poor souls who degrade themselves this way front up to work again? “It depends how good the job is. If it’s a really good job and you see a future there you have to go back and ignore what you’ve done,” she said. “If the boss brings it up, all you can do is apologise profusely and make up an excuse, such as your great grandmother died that day and you’re still recovering from the shock.” Don’t sleep with workmates Alcohol and sex often go hand in hand, and if there’s been sexual tension simmering in the office for the past 12 months there's a very good chance it will boil over at the Christmas party. But Ms Rowe warned workers to keep their hands to themselves. “I get so many emails from people every year after Christmas because they have found themselves in somebody else’s bed and are appalled,” she said. “If either party is married or in a relationship it’s best left ignored, and if they are not in relationships it can still lead to major problems in the office.” Don’t talk about your private life It’s important not to talk a lot about your personal life at the party, Ms Rowe said. “When you drink a lot you might reveal you’re not happy with your wife,” she said. “It can be held against you later on if you have a falling out with a colleague. It’s most important only to tell people things on a need-to-know basis.” Safe topics to discuss at the Christmas party included sport, restaurants you’ve been to, books you’ve read and films you’ve seen. “Talk about places you’ve been to on holiday, but don’t talk about staying at that five star hotel in Aspen. That can cause jealousy.” Don’t socialise with superiors Ms Rowe said she was not keen on junior staff socialising with senior staff at the party as young workers often felt intimidated by superiors and there was a good chance something inappropriate might be said. She said she’d seen “some very disappointing behaviour when it comes to older staff preying on younger staff - and I’m talking about senior men and women”. The party’s organisers - who are often the HR department - should watch younger members of staff when mixing with their superiors, she said. Don’t show too much flesh “This is not the night for the promiscuous look,” Ms Rowe warned. “Do not put the ample bosoms on display. And it’s not the night for short skirts and fishnet stockings – unless you are a go-go dancer or a lady of the night.” The same rules went for men, she said. “A singlet top or very low V-neck is a bad look, no matter how lovely their biceps are. No low-slung jeans either. “Remember it is a work function and any image you project of yourself will be remembered.” Don’t sing, no matter how drunk you are Karaoke should be banned at all Christmas parties, Ms Rowe believes - especially after she was an eyewitness to the aforementioned young man who fell overboard into Sydney Harbour. “I think it’s taking things to the wrong level, especially as people usually have to down a couple of quick drinks to get the courage to do it. It puts people in a position where they’re going to make a fool of themselves." Don’t get too excited The secret of success at the Christmas party was not to regard it as the event of the season, Ms Rowe advised. “I hear girls talk for weeks beforehand about what they’re going to wear, where they’re going to get their hair done. It can become a very big event which is a bit dangerous,” she said. “It’s not the night to kick up your heels and have fun.” “The key is to remember you’re still at work, this is not really a true social situation. You need to be much more careful than you would normally be.” How much should you drink? According to Ms Rowe, a good drinking guide was to only consume the amount for someone who was driving, which is one standard drink per hour. And try to drink a glass of water between each alcoholic beverage. “Also watch how many times your glass is filled. It’s hard, but it’s vital,” she said. Ms Rowe advised arranging a buddy system before arriving at the party. Ask someone to keep an eye on your behaviour, and if you start to talk too much or get aggressive, tell them to send you home in a cab, she said. “You might be the nicest, quietest person usually, but you might have an empty stomach, you might have had a bad afternoon, and you might have just had one or two glasses of wine and it goes straight to your head,” Ms Rowe said. “People can act in a very uncharacteristic way. But if you arrange with someone beforehand to send you home of you get out of hand, you’re safe.” She also advised organisers print the party’s closing time on the invitation so the function gets officially closed. “It means people are free to go to other parties afterwards, and it also means you’re not responsible for your staff after the closing time.” Meet your colleagues Aside from the real and present dangers of Christmas parties, they are a great way to meet people from other departments, Ms Rowe said. “Don’t just sit with the people from your department, go and chat with the other employees from other divisions as well,” she said. “It’s not the time to promote yourself. it's not the place for heavy shop talk. But it is a nice way to do some casual networking. Mix and mingle with intent. “It’s also just a nice way to round out the year.” |
Recommended Sites
Related Content
|
Arts Business Computers Games Health Home Kids and Teens News Other |
Recreation Reference Regional Science Shopping Society Sports World |
Quality micro sd Quality at competitive prices at Picstop.com sells quality!
Divan beds Online Shop securely online for quality divan beds at low prices from Sleepmasters.
Shopping & Retail News Online Read the latest Shopping & Retail News online.
Sport & Leisure News Online Read the latest Sport & Leisure News online.
bark mulch
Sell Cars In UK
CheapOair’s press release on latest travel news For latest travel events, news and happenings in the travel industry, check out cheapOair’s Press release. We also have travel rss feeds for the latest news and deals!
workflow management software
Lace wigs We will have you styling!
India HRA Rules
health insurance
Sales Training
Wedding Invites personalised wedding invites
sporting goods Tootoo.com has the most comprehensive Chinese building sporting products, sporting suppliers, manufacturers, exporters, companies and factories, etc.
24hourstutor-Online tuitions, Online Tutoring, Exams,Tutoring, Tutor,one-to-one 24hourstutor is a leading online tutoring provider.We provide one-to-one online tuitions to K-12.Our tutors are highly Experienced and Professional & are available 24x7.
Online Dating Sites Free Find Partner Online in Australia - About Us Online dating sites free - LookHook specialists in Find partner online, online dating sites free, Online dating tips,Searching Partners, Search singles and brought new found happiness to the lives
Online Hotels Booking in India |Cheap Hotels in India| Commonwealth Games Delhi Hotel Booking Cheap hotel in India – Hotspottrip - provides onlike booking for Hotels in India, Travel Services and also deal in rail and air ticketing, providing car on rent, tour packages to suit every needs.
Residential Remodeling California, Skyline Remodeling, Los Angeles Painting Contractors Residential Remodeling California – California Skyline Remodeling - specialize in both residential, commercial remodeling and also provides kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling, room additions.
Graphic Designing California, Printing Solutions, Logo Graphic Designing California – bjsprinting - providing a broad range of printing solutions, Logo Designing, Brochure Designing, Business Cards, Posters and other printing related services at Brochure
bathroom cabinets – Discover online the great range of bathroom furniture.
India Top Stories Get all the top stories from all over the India.
PTR Police Hits Net : Building Bridges Between Homepages Worldwide! PTR Police Hits Net provides a free traffic exchange for websites in need of traffic.
cool cars Tootoo.com has the coolest Chinese cars, car suppliers, manufacturers, exporters, companies and factories, etc.
Credit card help
Produce content management We Design, Deliver, Produce & Translate Documents.
Project Management Software - Project management software that combines PDA software, smartphone technology and the Web to manage mobile field service operations.
Gas Mileage Tips
Vacation Home Rental Chelem Chixchulub Mexico beach vacations rentals by owner, Chelem, Chixchulub, Cancun, Riviera Maya and Merida.
Cheap bathrooms Whether its clean, plain white, warming natural wood, or a design statement you are looking for, we have the toilet seat for you.
RC Car And Truck News Articles and reviews on remote control cars and trucks and the latest RC industry news.
Los Angeles Travel Services - World travel info, including Los Angeles area activities, accommodations, and travel arrangements.
ty coughlin and reverse funnel system and review Leave your boss this month using the Reverse Funnel System.
term life insurance
market research Market research articles, insight and news
Digital marketing events Check out the latest digital marketing events at Netimperative website
hip hop abs DVD Get Hip Hop Abs and get ripped for summer. Let Shaun T's Hip Hop Abs get you ripped for summer. Have fun and get ripped with Hip Hop Abs.
what is the reverse funnel system Leave your boss this month using the Reverse Funnel System.
Discount software microsoft
Educational research canter
Become An Astronaut - BecomeAnAstronaut.net
Baby Directory - MummasAndBubbas.com
Free Web Directory
funky flooring solutions Design led flooring solutions for people who think differently.
TV Bracket TV Bracket - UK's Leading Manufacturer and Supplier of Plasma and LCD TV Wall Brackets. Buy direct from the manufacturer and save. TV Wall Bracket, Plasma TV Wall Bracket.
taxi Singapore - Airport Transfer Singapore Premier Taxi Limousine Service. Call us for airport and city transfer. Major credit cards accepted.
OIL RIG JOBS
RC Car And Truck News Articles and reviews on remote control cars and trucks and the latest RC industry news.
Delivery beds don’t wait to wait all day? Delivery guaranteed before 9:30 am for only £20.
Screensavers - HelpScreensavers.com
Bali Paradise Angels, Property, Lands, Villa
Ranches for Sale, Land for Sale. Rural Real Estate -- RanchAndCountry.com
Best Finance Guide : Provides best info and tips on finance, personal finance, personal finance budgeting, corporate fi
Gardening Tips & Reviews | Organic, Vegetable, & Indoor Gardening
General Web Directory
Astrology
Professional Link Building Company Sarawebpopularity is an online directory. SEO Company India, SEO Company, Professional SEO Company, Professional SEO Services India.
Menikahdibali.com - Bali Wedding, Pre wedding, Getting Merried. Bali Wedding, Pre Wedding, Photographer, Wedding Planner, Getting merried and Honeymoon Package, Full Legal Wedding, Balinese Blessing
Aloha Bay Candles The largest U.S. manufacturer of vegetable wax candles, with the broadest selection of vegetable wax products in the gift industry: tapers, tea lights, votives, and jar candles.
Insurance Quotes, Health Home, Auto, Medical, Car Insurance
Metro Blaze - Search Canada's Big Cities A directory of informative websites, online resources and links pertaining to Canada's larger cities & metropolitan areas.
Offshore Customized web development ech Technologies is a software solution company catering for Technology needs of diverse businesses
otel in Budapest: HOTEL VICTORIA **** Budapest – Hungary Hotel Victoria is the cheapest 4 star Hotel located in the heart of historical downtown of Budapest, directly on the riverside of the Danube
Wedding Invitations America's wedding invitations offers you an excellent selection of of quality wedding invitations at a reasonable price. Preview and purchase online. Invitation orders print in two days or less.
Find a Loan - LendItToMe.com.au
ExitTraffic.us
Kent Business Directory
murad
Tax Extension Instantly e-file your IRS online tax extension in as little as 15 seconds for just $19.95 at www.onlineirsextension.com.
Gas Mileage Tips Tips, tools, and resources to help you get better gas mileage, save money on fuel, find more efficient cars, and be kinder to the environment.
HamburgEnglishLinks Hamburg English ESL TOEIC and Elearning Resources
Mobile Unlocking FAQs Questions and answers about how to unlock your cell phone.
Travel link exchange
Hydrogen Peroxide H2O2 and Ultraviolet Blood Irradiation UVBI Hydrogen Peroxide H2O2 and Ultraviolet Blood Irradiation UVBI
Glacier Financial The best mortgage rates in the heart of Michigan. We're redefining the way financial institutions operate
The Loans Warehouse
Buy garden lighting Get Huge Online Discounts on Solar Landscape Lighting. As Much As 70% OFF!
Free Cell Phones And Even Get Paid To Sign Up For Verizon, Cingular, T-Mobile, Nextel, Sprint, All
Merchant Services Advanced Merchant Services the leading merchant service provider operating in the online sector. Select the best Merchant Service for your business at merchant-accounts.com
Bailey Delaware, Bailey Delaware - baileydelaware - James Bailey has been
India HR Forum
RegClean Review
Treat Acne Resources Treat Your Acne Now Using the Best Acne Treatments
No Win No Fee Compensation Claim Solicitors UK Bolt Burdon Kemp are a long established law firm of solicitors (lawyers) specialising in No Win No Fee compensation claim cases. We have expertise in successfully dealing with cases involving accident
Tampa Internet Marketing Internet Marketing services by Tampa, Florida based Internet Marketing company Find and Convert
Centre du Rasoir
Espresso Selection
Ladies Shavers
Women Grooming
Ireland News Latest News from Ireland. Check out local news and updates from the region.