Ten Tips for Business Holiday Party Etiquette

Business holiday parties can be a minefield for employees to navigate. However, it is possible to enjoy this annual affair and even make it work for you if you follow these 10 common-sense office holiday party etiquette tips.

1. View an office holiday party as a business function and act accordingly. Yes, it is an opportunity to socialize with colleagues in a casual setting, but be careful to be friendly but not too familiar with those at the party, especially superiors, and always to act with courtesy and respect.

2. Do attend a business holiday party for employees. Even if you would rather be anywhere else, make an appearance at a business holiday party. You are not obligated to stay all evening, but your absence will be noticed.

3. Know the policy on guests. Be sure to check ahead of time whether spouses or dates are welcome at your office holiday party, since often these affairs are for employees only.

4. Dress appropriately. No matter how hot you look in the low-cut sheathe and spike heels that you wear for clubbing, a business holiday party is not the place to show it off. Instead, opt for a more dignified, low-key look so that you will be remembered for your good taste not your revealing attire. When in doubt, ask someone whose judgment you trust what is appropriate dress for the office holiday party, or check with your host.

5. Be sure to greet and thank your host or the individual responsible for planning the party. Chat briefly (you can't go wrong with a compliment about some aspect of the party, such as the food, the band, or the décor) and then move on.

6. Enjoy the food and drink but don't overindulge. Even if there is an open bar, limit your intake of alcohol and don't pile your plate with excess amounts of the most expensive items on the buffet-a mountain of jumbo shrimp on your plate will be noticed and not in a positive way. Also, have a back-up plan in case, despite your best efforts, you find that you have had too much to drink. Arrange for a designated driver, call a cab or reserve a room at a nearby hotel.

7. Mingle. Take the opportunity to chat with as many of your colleagues as you can and introduce yourself to some coworkers that you don't know well. Also, be sure to greet your superiors. An office holiday party can be a good opportunity to strengthen existing business relationships or to initiate new ones by means of a little low-key networking.

8. Limit business talk. When you are socializing with business colleagues it can be difficult (and sometimes impossible) not to talk shop, but try to keep business talk to a minimum. Instead, look at the office party as an opportunity to get to know your coworkers a little better on a personal level. Keep the conversation upbeat and stick with safe topics like travel, kids, local sports, and movies.

9. Don't gossip, complain or brag. Some of your colleagues may enjoy gossiping about coworkers, especially as the evening wears on and a little too much alcohol loosens tongues. Don't join in. You'll regret it in the morning. The same goes for griping about your job or bragging about your business triumphs.

10. Enjoy yourself. An office business party is meant to be fun, so relax and enjoy yourself.

Sources:

F. John Reh, management.about.com, Surviving the Office Party

Randall S. Hansen, Ph. D., www.quintcareers.com, Holiday Office Party Do's and Don'ts