It's the holiday season and with it come the company parties. Whether you are the employee, or attending one of these parties with someone that is, it is always good to know what should not be done at one of these functions:

DON'T DRESS INAPROPRIATELY

This goes for men as well as for women. Women should not wear revealing tops and dresses or skirts should not be super short. For men, please do not under-dress. Follow the dress code given in the invitation. If in doubt, ask some of the long-time, respectable employees what they wear yearly to the office party.

DON'T SHOW UP TOO LATE OR TOO EARLY

Most parties have a time range given, however that does not mean show up half an hour before it's over. The office holiday party should be treated almost like a business appointment. It is in a way a business function, and showing up just in time for the food or drinks will make you look bad. Showing up too early can be awkward as well. Again, it is a good idea to ask a long-time employee how the party usually progresses and what the best time is to show up.

DON'T EAT TOO MUCH

By all means do enjoy yourself, but don't consume much more food than you normally would just because it's free. This is simply just bad taste.

DON'T DRINK TOO MUCH ALCOHOL

This one is pretty self-explanatory. Not only will you be more likely to say and do things you don't mean to, but also getting into your car after having a few too many is wrong for several reasons. First, it's illegal and dangerous. Secondly, it sets a real bad example and shows a side of you that really will make people wonder about your character.

DON'T KISS UP TO PEOPLE

The most obvious scenario is of course to not kiss up to your boss. By all means you need to be social, but don't overdo it. Don't offer to get the boss drinks or food, and don't start gushing on how much you like working for them. The same goes for co-workers. If you don't normally associate with them much, don't all of a sudden turn to outrageous friendliness. Be social, but not fake.

DON'T TALK ABOUT SENSITIVE SUBJECTS

If you would not talk about it during regular business hours at your work place, don't talk about it at the company holiday party. A few examples would be religion, politics, and sexual topics. The people attending this function are still your colleagues and superiors. A Christmas party does not suddenly turn them into your bosom buddies or your spouses.

DON'T CONFESS THINGS

The holiday party is not the time to tell people about your struggles with depression, the latest colonoscopy you had, or your spouse's affair. Again, keep in mind these are people you have to see the following workday and just about every day after, for however long you keep your job. What you say at the office Christmas party does not stay just there, it will follow you the rest of your workdays.

DON'T GET INTIMATE

If you are single, this is not the place to pick up a co-worker. Dating in the workplace is not the best idea to begin with, but starting a relationship at a company function is worse. If you are in a relationship and this party allows you to bring your significant other, don't grope them in front of everyone either.

In closing, a company Christmas party should be treated just like a work function, because that is exactly what it is. Of course this does not mean you can't have fun. After all, deadlines, time clocks, and business phones are set side for this time. Just remember that the following workday those deadlines, time clocks and phones will be fully functional again.

Learn more about this author, Alexandra Heep.
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