Avoid office-party regrets

Lydia Ramsey addressed this very topic in her latest newsletter issue at http://www.mannersthatsell.com/newsletter1207.html

I agree with Justin, in TX. Employees should be recognized by their talents to get the job done right the first time, not by how talented they are with socializing. True an employee should be “well-rounded” individual with a few good friends and a supportive loving family. But then again, some of the best talented employees were also very single and commited to spending all their extra time at work learning about the company and how to run it.

About 15 years ago I was employed by a mid-size collection company in Milwaukee. A tough crowd by most standards but when a junior collector tapped a large somewhat heavy senior manager in the stomach and called him out in public by calling him “Mr. Tubby” it killed any future company parties and needless to say leveled any of his carrer opportunities.

Office parties are a blast.

They are fun because the truth comes out. Drinking with coworkers makes sense because I already spend time with them at work. I like to loosen up and talk a little smack. My coworkers enjoy talking smack back to me. We all take it in stride and laugh about it the next day. The only people that get offended are those that are not hard workers. Everyone else knows that fun is fun.

Ditto James in Austin. No one really moves up the corporate ladder by solely attending an office party. If the management at your company is basing promotions just on this, odds are good that the business decisions are smart enough to keep the corporation going long term.

Our office party ended up having two girls from billing dancing on the bar. Interesting to say the least…

I avoid company parties like the plague. I truly believe at the end of the day you move up the ranks by getting the job done and not by your ability to show up to a social event and smile (which anyone can do). Showing up to parties and smiling does not make shareholders rich nor does it justify spending time with people who matter more than anyone in the world…family. Plus, avoiding socializing with co-workers helps prevent future problems in the office (personal relationships getting in the way of the job, office politics etc.)

My employer has a policy against the large ‘hotel ballroom’ type office holiday parties. This is great.

My group manager may take us out to lunch; it would be a ‘dry’ lunch with no alcohol. This is also great!

My worst pet peeve are office parties in the evening
where the alcohol is ‘on the house’ or free. They
present the biggest danger.