The perils of the party

Christmas is fast approaching and it is nearly the time of year when everyone at work comes together for food and drink (mainly the drink) and to celebrate the festive period in the form of a Christmas party.

This is a great opportunity to chat with colleagues in a more social setting and get to know one another more outside of work. Enjoy the food and drink, take part in the activities and ultimately have fun!

However, the Christmas party doesn’t always go to plan and conflicts can arise, most commonly when too much alcohol is consumed. At your Christmas party, you want your team to relax and enjoy themselves but they need to remember that their behaviour still matters. It’s important to be social yet professional and make a good impression on other people at the party. As already mentioned, one of the most common mistakes at a Christmas party is drinking far too much alcohol. The free bar can be tempting, however, an employee has to be aware they are to still conduct themselves in a respectful and suitable manner. They need to know their limits and avoid any issues arising as a result of having too much to drink. Also, remember that your Christmas party is still a business function, so staff should dress suitably. If anyone is unsure of the dress code, then inform them to ask their manager in advance.