Christmas party dos and don’ts: ‘While it might be a party, you are still in the workplace’

In the modern world of office Christmas parties, companies are desperate to avoid scandals. This is how to stay off the naughty list and avoid a trip to human resources.

Big companies fearing that employees’ boozy antics could land them on the naughty list are shying away from holding Christmas parties.

Others are reducing the time, with a strict 6pm to 9pm window or short lunch to avoid workplace scandals in the festive season, while some multi nationals are banning alcohol altogether to avoid a trip to human resources the following day.

And we all know the fallout of what can happen when a CEO, a la Australian recruiting firm giant Sharp & Carter gives a now viral unhinged pre Christmas party pep talk, warning staffers to stay off the drugs at least for one night and not to cheat on your wife.

Sharp and Carter chief executive Stephen Carter’s pep talk went viral.

Ho ho ho, welcome to the modern world of the office Christmas party.

As the festive season is in full swing before the annual office shutdown, the end of year Christmas party shindig can be a place to have fun, network and say hello to work colleagues you normally are just rushing past in the corridor.

But remember to keep it nice, because while it might be a party, you are still in the workplace.

These are the do’s and don’ts on how to stay off the Christmas party naughty list and keep it nice:

Don’t over indulge

Getting drunk and being that guy on the dancefloor is so last century. Have a couple of champers, or even just avoid if you are a two-pot screamer, getting wasted and waking up to the hangover from hell is not good for anyone in this day and age, especially the human resources team!

Being that guy on the dancefloor is so last century. Picture: iStock

Dress up, within reason

Pulling out the latex, plunging thigh scraping skirt, or sheer cutouts for the work Christmas do isn’t the best look. Best to keep your inner you for your inner circle.

It also helps to put a bit of effort in, so ditch the WFH trackie daks to avoid raised eyebrows.

Don’t pre-game

Gen Z call pre-gaming, or drinking before a night out “pres” or “prinking” and it is not advised under any circumstances at the office party, unless it involves eating something.

Drinking before the office party is not advised. Picture: iStock

Stay off social media

Put down the iPhone. Like now, now. You don’t need that bathroom selfie from the random person in sales or IT. And no good comes from Insta stories capturing the ambience and atmosphere of the room, or worse inadvertently filming more than you bargained for.

Make an effort

Talk to someone you only nod your head to walking past, don’t just stay in your tight knit circle. Even if you hate these sorts of things it helps to put on your happy face as your boss and your company are trying to create some community. Even for just a bit before you do a phantom and hightail out of there after speeches.

Good vibes only

No one wants to hear all your grievances in the office from the missing stapler to your lowly pay cheque, especially your boss. Leave the trauma at home for another time.

Don’t hook up

At least not at the actual party. The days of a dancefloor disco pash are a bit passe, again keep it clean have fun but best to leave any under the mistletoe at arms length.