It's been a great year, you've worked really hard, and your
company has brought back the holiday party to reward the
team for a job well done[b][/b]. According to one survey, 9 out of
10 employers plan to hold a holiday bash this year. Before
you pop the champagne, be mindful that your behavior at the
holiday bash will impact your professional reputation come
Monday morning and beyond. Here are seven things not to do
at the holiday office party in 2012: 1. Be sloppy drunk.
In some offices, the booze flows freely but remember: The
holiday party is one of the few occasions where you'll be in a
social gathering with upper management. Nurse a drink
through the evening, or stick to non-alcoholic drinks.
Everyone has a story about the co-worker who got sloshed at
the office party and the behavior is never remembered fondly.
2 Tell dirty jokes.
The holiday party is a chance to show off your dazzling
personality and intelligence to the powers that be. While the
conversation need not focus on work topics, talking politics,
religion, and sex is a quick way to alienate someone. If you
want to tell a joke, keep it clean.
3. Steer clear of people you don't know.
This may be the only chance you get all year to actually have
a conversation with the C-Suite professionals. Take the
opportunity. Introduce yourself. This is not the time to
complain, ask for a raise or go into a lengthy analysis of what
the market risks are. Just.say a few words about what you do
for the company, and stay upbeat. Making a positive
impression could help you later on.
4. Dress provocatively.
You don't want to be remembered for the sexy outfit you
wore. Dressing too casually or suggestively can make you
look unprofessional. Stay away from casual Friday clothes
and avoid jeans.
5. Flirt outrageously.
This isn't the time to pursue your secret crush. Stay clear of
the co-worker who is drunk; you don't want to put yourself at
risk with someone who has less self-control.
6. Leave without thanking the host.
If you're in a colleague's home, come with a small gift like a
bottle of wine. Make sure to thank the host of the party before
you leave.
7. Be the last one to leave.
Don't overstay your welcome. You don't want to be the last to
leave the office party. (You also don't want to be the first to
arrive and stand around making awkward conversation; arrive
10 or 15 minutes after the party starts.) Stay for the public
remarks by the CEO; but leave 30 minutes before the end of
the party or whenever you see a critical mass of people
exiting.
Is your office having a holiday party this year? What advice
would you want your co-workers to take?

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