![\"christmas_balls_resize\"](\"https:\/\/www.bcjobs.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/12\/christmas_balls_resize.jpg\")
As you look forward to your firm\u2019s annual holiday party, keep in mind that company-sponsored celebrations are not like other festive gatherings. Office parties are hybrid business\/social events and therefore have their own rules of etiquette. Use the following guidelines to maintain a professional image and still enjoy yourself:<\/p>\n
Remember to mingle. A holiday party is the perfect time to meet colleagues from other divisions or offices. Following introductions, say something like, \u201cIt\u2019s nice to finally put a name to a face. Those files you emailed me really helped with that project last month.\u201d You can also use a holiday gathering to become better acquainted with coworkers you see often but rarely have time to chat with \u2013 like the receptionist or your department\u2019s newest intern.<\/p>\n
Dress appropriately. Despite the decorations, the office party is still a business-related event. It\u2019s not the place for that strapless, hot-pink mini dress. On the other hand, don\u2019t feel like you have to go with a drab, buttoned-down look. Wear what you normally wear to work, jazzing it up with a pretty scarf, some bright jewellery or a sweater shot with metallic thread. If you\u2019ll be going straight from your desk to dinner, bring dressy shoes and an evening bag to work with you. Likewise, men shouldn\u2019t show up in a sweatshirt and jeans. The same business casual many firms allow in the office can also work for parties: slacks and a collared shirt.<\/p>\n
Be culturally sensitive. In our diverse society, not everyone is celebrating the same holiday you are. Be careful about exclaiming \u201cMerry Christmas!\u201d to everyone you meet. A neutral phrase — such as \u201cHappy Holidays\u201d — is more appropriate.
\nMind your manners. It\u2019s a party, so feel free to eat, laugh, make small talk and forget about the daily grind. But be careful you don\u2019t go too far. Everyone\u2019s heard about out-of-control workers who embarrass themselves and their employers at office parties. The best way to avoid a breach of etiquette is to be slightly more formal than you would usually be at a party. If alcoholic beverages are served, practice moderation.<\/p>\n
Meet the higher-ups. At a holiday party, senior executives are generally more inclined to hob-nob with employees. Ask your manager to introduce you. Develop a one-minute summary about yourself in advance, so you don\u2019t become tongue-tied when you shake the CEO\u2019s hand. Be courteous and professional. Don\u2019t bend the executive\u2019s ear with trivia \u2013 stick to general, work-related conversation. When the executive shows signs of concluding the conversation, say \u201cNice to have met you,\u201d and move on.<\/p>\n
Avoid excessive shop talk. Don\u2019t buttonhole a coworker with a lengthy discussion about deadlines, deliverables and the agenda for tomorrow\u2019s meeting. If someone starts a similar conversation with you, offer to review details first thing in the morning, when it\u2019s easier to concentrate on business matters. In general, keep conversations light and upbeat \u2013 avoid politics and office gossip.<\/p>\n
Make a graceful exit. If one-third of the guests have left, it\u2019s probably a good time to say your good-byes. Try not to be the first or last to leave, especially if the party is at your manager\u2019s house. Watch your host for cues (clearing plates and glasses, putting food away, etc.). If you must leave early, be sure to notify your host beforehand.<\/p>\n
Following these suggestions can help you seamlessly blend the professional and social sides of yourself, making the office party one of the high points of your holiday calendar.<\/p>\n
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As you look forward to your firm\u0092s annual holiday party, keep in mind that company-sponsored celebrations are not like other festive gatherings. Office parties are hybrid business\/social events and therefore have their own rules of etiquette.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":38,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[149],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2524","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-hr-advice"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bcjobs.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2524","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bcjobs.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bcjobs.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bcjobs.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/38"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bcjobs.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2524"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.bcjobs.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2524\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5462,"href":"https:\/\/www.bcjobs.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2524\/revisions\/5462"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bcjobs.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2524"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bcjobs.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2524"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bcjobs.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2524"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}