Business Party Etiquette

A business party can present both opportunities and dangers.

Office business parties can be an opportunity for employees to let off steam, catch up on gossip and have fun with their colleagues. There are dangers associated with office parties, however, and many workers have caused considerable damage to their reputations and careers through their actions and antics at office parties.

There is an unwritten code of conduct for office parties, and various rules of etiquette that need to be considered and adhered to in order to have a good time without adverse consequences.

Importance

The business party is a great opportunity to network with contacts.

If office parties are so fraught with danger, what's the point of having them?

The fact is, business parties help boost morale and instill a sense of teamwork, as well as rewarding employees for their efforts in the previous year. The office party also is an opportunity for managers and their teams--for a short time at least--to remove the professional barriers between them and improve their personal relationships.

For an employee, an office party is a great way to make business contacts and enhance your reputation and image by behaving with dignity while showing you are able to have fun as well as work hard. For employers, the business party is a chance to see how well employees fit in with the culture of the company.

Features

Alcohol often flows in abundance at business parties.

Office parties around the globe will, more than likely, contain the same basic features. Whether held in the office or at an external venue, there will be alcohol and food present. While the food may vary, from a simple buffet to a seated meal, the alcohol is often the catalyst for the kind of antics that result in disciplinary action or gossip in the ensuing weeks. Some parties may host a disco or karaoke session, which gives a good opportunity for management to let their hair down a little and exhibit their vocal skills.

Good Etiquette

Attendees should also take note of the dress code.

Although, for some people, the thought of attending an office party may bring feelings of dread, it is good etiquette to show up. It will demonstrate to your managers that you are willing to partake in the culture of the company, as well as provide an opportunity to mingle with friends and colleagues, and possibly build further business contacts.

Employees should avoid eating and drinking to excess, and keep conversation amicable but controlled, to avoid running the risk of saying something regrettable. Those who attend should also beware of leaving too soon, giving the impression they are bored.

Employees conduct themselves with dignity and professionalism at all times. Although outside working hours, the office party is still a business function, and attendees should bear this in mind.

Poor Etiquette

Bad behavior at parties can lead to angry bosses.

Besides not attending, which can seriously damage your working image and business reputation, there are a number of other poor forms of etiquette to avoid at business parties. Some employees may bring dates or partners who were not invited, which may anger coworkers and organizers of the event.

The most common form of poor manners is excessive drinking, which can lead to inappropriate conversation or lewd behavior. This often has serious consequences for the individual involved. It is also poor manners to talk incessantly without listening to others.

Ways To Redeem Yourself

Express regret for any inappropriate actions.

If the worst has happened, and you have behaved inappropriately at the business party, then you run the risk of angry management or even disciplinary action. There are a number of ways in which you can redeem yourself if this is the case.

First, you should apologize to higher management, expressing your disgust and regret at your actions and asking what you can do to redeem yourself. If your manager has a sense of humor, she may find a funny card expressing your apologies reason enough to forgive you.

Own up to the mistakes you made, and explain to your manager and employers that you have learned from them and they will not happen again.

References

• Sideroad: Office Party Etiquette
• Quint Careers: Holiday Office Party Do's and Don'ts
• Virgin Media: Office Party Etiquette