If you are about to have a fun celebration with colleagues, then check out our recommendations. This will help you avoid annoying mistakes that often lead to dismissal or a severe reprimand.
Mistake #1: Not Having Snacks After the First Glass
Hardly a key rule to follow when heading to a corporate party. However, many neglect it – and it’s a mistake. Sometimes that very first glass is enough to cloud your mind and 'switch' you out of the process, leaving you to piece together the events of the previous evening from photos and ironic comments from colleagues. Do you really want that?
Therefore: first, always have snacks after the first toast, and second, even before the party starts, set a specific limit for alcoholic beverages that won’t inspire risky behavior.
Mistake #2: Drinking Strong Drinks to the Bottom
Not just the fourth glass, but in general, you shouldn’t keep emptying your glasses with the drink you’ve chosen (whether it’s treacherous champagne or something stronger). With this approach, the outcome is usually the same – losing control over yourself and the party. And that’s in the best-case scenario.
No one is asking you to play the role of a staunch health enthusiast and spend the entire evening drinking sparkling water. It’s okay to relax a little – but it’s important to remember your limit (see point 1) and control your behavior; otherwise, you can easily get carried away. After all, tomorrow you’ll have to face your colleagues and boss. Why create unnecessary tension?
Mistake #3: Flirting with a Colleague
Romances often begin at work, but a corporate party is far from the best time to express your newfound feelings. Of course, the alcohol consumed will insist otherwise, pushing you towards overt flirting with a colleague. Save your confessions for a more appropriate occasion. Trust me, it will definitely come up! And then – you’ll have time to come up with something original.
Mistake #4: Pouring Your Heart Out to the Boss
An informal setting, general merriment, and drinks encourage openness and blur boundaries. Thus, you might not notice how you transitioned from discussing the recent launch of a new product to the details of your breakup with your ex-boyfriend (for the 25th time!), and then you might even spill your guts, saying that you don’t see any prospects in your job. And this can lead to difficulties in the future. The music and fun will end that night, but what you said may linger in your boss’s mind for a long time.
So save your confessions for 'trusted' friends, as well as discussions about politics, religion, and sex. Stay positive and stick to the rules of polite conversation.
Mistake #5: An Inappropriate Outfit
Some categorically refuse to associate corporate events with work – claiming it’s a party, so to speak, a 'no-tie' gathering. Of course, you’re not obligated to talk about work and sulk in the corner, but while having fun at the corporate party, you shouldn’t cross the line. So be careful with all kinds of performances, jokes, and flashy 'moves.' Colleagues may laugh at how skillfully you showcased an intimate detail of your outfit, but it’s not worth deliberately pulling off such tricks.
Mistake #6: Getting Too Friendly with the Boss
No matter how democratic your company is, and how friendly the relationships are within, don’t forget about subordination. The boss remains the boss, and sudden friendly hugs or overly candid conversations are unlikely to be appreciated. During the event, they might overlook such a slip, but they will take note of your behavior – and send a more reserved colleague on the planned business trip instead of you.
Mistake #7: Bringing Up Salary Increases
Again, some for some reason see the corporate party as a great opportunity to declare their undisclosed talents and achieved successes. Honestly, that idea is not great. First of all, your boss is a person too, and at the party, they want to relax, not listen to how responsible an employee you are, and especially not delve into your grand plans for improving the company’s performance. Secondly, it’s unprofessional to discuss salary increases at a corporate party. Don’t you have enough arguments and energy to talk during work hours? Therefore, adhere to the 'golden rule': discuss work only during work hours.
One of the main rules of behavior at a corporate party is to know moderation in everything. An inappropriate outfit can not only make the team look at you sideways, but it can also prevent you from immersing yourself in the evening's atmosphere. Similarly, overly 'candid' posts and photos on social media can leave an unpleasant impression and ruin relationships. So have fun, but remember the boundaries and rules of etiquette.
