Office Parties
P45, anyone?
Surviving the annual (and infamous) Christmas office party is a key part of any successful career path. Bums on photo copiers and smooching in the broom cupboard, not to mention telling the boss exactly what you think of him or her, can be particularly detrimental to your promotional prospects. So how can you avoid these pitfalls and stop yourself from being the party plonker? And if you've been lumbered with organising the whole thing, how can you make sure it runs as smoothly as clockwork?
Here are our SwindonWeb tips: Planning the Office Party 1. Set a date and time Although trickier than it sounds, try to set a date and time for the office party that is convenient for all involved. The night before a key meeting or in the middle of an important project are times to be avoided. Thursday or Friday nights are always the best, but these dates tend to get booked up early so don't hang around. 2. Money Get the money sorted out. Determining how the office party will be financed is vitally important. And if it comes to deposits make sure everyone pays up because arguments over money must always be avoided. 3. Theme Choose a party theme. This can be helpful in deciding food choices and atmosphere. 4. Menus Get the choices organised and try and limit the options. This bit can be a nightmare if it isn't organised properly so organise the menu on e.mail can really help.
5. Entertainment
6. Transport No one likes to go to a party and stick to the orange juice. Try and gets some taxis organised or sort out lift sharing. 7. Partners Organising name tags if spouses and partners are being invited can be a good idea. 8. Information Keep everyone informed. If the Christmas party is being held away from the office, send out invitations at least three weeks in advance and insist on replies. The modern wonders of email make this a lot easier. 9. Drinks If the party is actually in the office then make sure that there are plenty of non-alcoholic drinks available.
Party Etiquette
2. Don't be late. 3. Even though the alcohol is flowing, the music is playing and you appear to be flavour of the month, don't get carried away. Tempering your behavior with the thought that office party is a business function which could directly effect your job prospects is not a bad thing. If in doubt, say no isn't bad advice. 4. Hanky Panky should definitely be off the menu. Even after a few drinks the person you've fancied in the office for the last 2 years might not be entirely happy with a quick grope, so think on if you start getting frisky. 5. Meeting people with a reassuring handshake not a limp fish or hand-breaker. 6. Don't hang around the boss all night, laughing at unfunny jokes. Brown nosing is a definite no no. Flirting outrageously with the boss's partner is equally ill advised. 7. Make sure you get the right dress code. Arriving for a formal dinner in a pair of jeans and a T-shirt or a parrot costume won't go down too well.
9. Speak to your work colleagues. Take the opportunity to thank those who have helped you throughout the year and avoid fighting with those who have stabbed you in the back. Whatever happens, enjoy yourself. |
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