Holiday Cheer in the Office

By Juanita Ecker

Due to the economy, a lot of companies seem to be swapping their holiday parties for a more informal group lunch, or are shutting down a few hours early and hosting potlucks in the office itself. But no matter what type of celebration your company has planned, it’s important to follow these codes of conduct:

Keep it clean. Steer clear of “Dirty Santa” jokes, overly sexy holiday costumes, inappropriate use of the copy machine or other office supplies, childish antics, and chasing down co-workers with a handful of mistletoe. Getting hot and heavy on the dance floor or flirting outrageously with colleagues will also guarantee you a spot in the company gossip mill for months, if not years, to come. Have fun, but remember that you still have to work with these folks.

Go easy on the alcohol. Getting drunk on mulled wine and eggnog will only lead to bad behavior and damaged credibility… not to mention a brutal hangover. Stick to just one or two drinks, alternate with water, and graze away to avoid drinking on an empty stomach.

Participate. If your company is closing early for a holiday celebration, don’t take it as an opportunity to leave early and finish your gift-buying. Just because you’re not technically working doesn’t mean you can skip out on the festivities. And don’t slave away at your desk while everyone is celebrating. It’s time to join in, raise a glass, and do some quality bonding.

Be inclusive. Not everyone celebrates Christmas, so if you are hosting your company’s get-together you should try to keep it secular and inclusive. Think of it as a general celebration of the holidays and the New Year.

Bring a thoughtful gift. More than likely your company is doing a Secret Santa or grab bag gift exchange. Because the limit is usually no more than $10 or $20, you’re better off sticking with a simple but nice gift that anyone could use. A Starbucks gift card, a lovely coffee mug from a museum gift shop, or a cool paperweight are all good options. If you’re doing a “white elephant” exchange in which the gift is meant to be tacky, avoid anything that might cause offense, such as anything sexual, religious, political, or blatantly un-PC. Another point: If you plan to exchange gifts with close friends at work, do so in private and off the clock. You don’t want to make others feel excluded.

Ask before you post photos. For whatever reason, companies may not want you to share photos of the party on Facebook (example: a modest lunch may signal to clients that business is slow, while a lavish blowout could send the wrong message if there have been layoffs). Check with your boss before you post, and don’t tag co-workers in the photos unless they agree to it.

By following these pointers you can have a great time while maintaining your professional image. Here’s to a wonderful holiday!

©2010 Professional Image Management If you would like to use this article in your newsletter or blog, you may do so. Please include our credit information: Written by Juanita Ecker, Professional Image Management. © Copyright 2010. I would also appreciate it if you would send us a copy for our files.

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