Attending this year’s office Christmas party? Read this first

The work Christmas party is the time to let your hair down and get rowdy. Here’s what to avoid if you don’t want to get the sack.

The humble work Christmas party – it might be the one of the key events on the social calendar for some, but for others, it might actually feel closer to the worst time of the year.

That’s right, it’s that time again when festive music blasts on a seemingly never-ending loop throughout the office, a cup of coffee is swapped for a glass of wine (or a few) and inhibitions are lowered.

It’s a time that is meant for celebrating and letting loose, when you can relax and get to know the people you spend eight hours with every single day.

However, not every Christmas party is merry and bright, with some staff handing in their letter of resignation the following Monday or being slapped with a formal warning after behaving badly.

It’s the season for end-of-year work parties. Picture: NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Each year, the sound of fear escapes the lips of thousands of office workers when an invitation to the end-of-year party appears in their inbox.

Statistically speaking, more than a third (37 per cent) of Aussies dread the inevitable Christmas party, with 64 per cent only showing up because they feel obligated to attend; if they had their way, they’d honestly rather stay at home.

A Christmas party is the last thing some want to participate in, looking desperately for an excuse they can conjure up to avoid the festivities altogether.

“The goal of Christmas parties is to celebrate with your colleagues and have fun, but not everyone is a social butterfly and that’s OK,” Peninsula Australia associate director of consultancy Stephen Roebuck said.

With that in mind, here are a few ways to make Christmas parties the most fun event on the social calendar without making a fool of yourself (and others).

Gift no one wants – a bad reputation

In some cases, people revved up ready to celebrate the festive season may end up a little too tiddly, wake up like a bear with a sore head and realise what they’ve done the night before.

Thanks, in part, to the influence of booze, there are plenty of mishaps that can occur at the work function that could result in months’ worth of gossip at the water cooler or a stern word of caution from the boss the following Monday.

“You don’t want to have people talking about you afterwards,” Indeed workplace psychologist Amanda Gordon said.

Indeed workplace psychologist Amanda Gordon has warned Australians against acting out at this year's end-of-year functions. Picture: Supplied

Ahead of the work Christmas party, there are a few helpful hints to help you avoid a nasty showdown with your least-favourite colleague or an awkward meeting with your boss on Monday morning.

“The biggest mistake people make at Christmas parties is over-consuming alcohol or the big no-no – taking illicit substances,” warned Mr Roebuck. “Both can lead to embarrassing or unprofessional behaviour and cause ‘hangxiety’ the next time you see your colleagues.”

Now, that is not to say you can’t partake in a coupe of bubbly delights during the end-of-year function, but people are urged to be smart about their consumption choices.

“Over-indulgence could result in a disciplinary meeting if employees lose control of their inhibitions,” Mr Roebuck said. “In the worst-case scenario, it may even cost them their job if the behaviour was bad enough.”

Is your festive spirit a little too strong for the others?

Talk sh*t, get hit

Another big mistake people often make at their Christmas party is excessive gossiping.

Of course, no office is complete without a little bit of gasbagging; it makes sense that people want to let off a little steam at the end-of-year function, but how far can you go without revealing too much or accidentally hurting someone’s feelings?

Mr Roebuck suggests steering clear of conversations where you may overshare personal information or launch into a gossip attack about a colleague.

“This can severely backfire and lead to a breakdown of relationships inside and outside the office,” he said.

And the results can be far more severe than you may think; it can even get you the sack.

“Trust can be hard to earn in the workplace, and it’s even harder to get back once it’s gone,” Mr Roebuck added. “Employees also should never engage in harassment, bullying, discriminatory behaviour.”

Stephen Roebuck advises people to keep a lid on their alcohol consumption at the work Christmas party. Picture: Supplied

Politics should also be left at the door, Ms Gordon said.

“You have to assume you’re getting to know people on a different level than you know them in the workplace, but at the same time, they’re wanting to have fun at the Christmas party,” she said. “So they don’t want to be berated with political views.”

The same goes for talking shop.

“(Colleagues) don’t want to discuss work,” Ms Gordon added. “Those sorts of (topics) are not going to be conducive to building better relationships and better friendships with people with whom you work.”

It’s best to avoid certain topics at the work function.

A tip for the boss

Hi boss, it turns out you’re not off the hook, either.

Business owners, executives, managers, and employers are just as responsible for creating a safe and exciting event for their staff.

If things go wrong, the buck stops with you.

That means encouraging responsible drinking, offering alcohol-free alternatives and ensuring everyone is catered for.

“Being inclusive and planning an event that doesn’t centre around alcohol is the key to creating a Christmas party that is safe and fun for everyone,” Mr Roebuck said.

“It doesn’t hurt to get ideas from your employees about what they’d enjoy before booking anything.”