(Make sure you’re not one of them.)Christmas party season is well and truly here. Office workers are spilling into the streets and private workplaces are being transplanted into public spaces of seasonal cheer. It can be a fizzy, intoxicating clash of worlds where the professional and the not so professional morph and collide. With it comes a whole host of dangers, as well as potential fun. If you like that sort of thing.
Christmas Party Embarrassment
A new YouGov report published for the TUC this week revealed that over one in ten British workers have embarrassed themselves in front of their boss at a work Christmas party. It also says that two in five (40 per cent) have got drunk at their work Christmas do, with men more likely to over-indulge than women (35 per cent). These statistics are perhaps not all that surprising.
[Everyone should know to pace themselves.]But if that wasn’t bad enough…
- One in 11 (9 per cent) workers has been sick.
- One in 12 (8 per cent) has shared something embarrassing to a colleague.
- Over a quarter (27 per cent) of 18-24 year-olds have had a ‘dance off’ with a co-worker.
When you remember people have had to answer these questions, albeit online, there may have been a layer of professional pride masking the results. It’s possible the numbers fall on the lower side of truth.[Read the Atlantic Resource blog: Balancing Childcare and Work]
Tips for a fuss-free festive bash
The statistics were released alongside the TUC’s tips for a ‘fuss-free festive bash’, which include the following ideas for managers and bosses.
- If you’re going to charge staff to attend the party, make sure it’s affordable and don’t make people feel bad if they don’t want to come.
- Make sure there are non-alcoholic drinks available for people who don’t drink and those wanting a break from the booze.
- Avoid inappropriate conversations – it’s not the time to start talking about staff performance or other serious HR issues.
- Consider travel arrangements so everyone gets home safely. Provide train times and numbers for cab companies.
[Read our blog: big decision making is never easy]The following, arguably slightly idealistic TUC guidance is offered for staff:
- Resist the temptation to complain about colleagues or ask your boss for a pay rise. Save these for office hours!
- Be careful not to say or do anything which upsets or insults anyone if you are emboldened with ‘Christmas cheer’.
- Resist posting embarrassing pictures of your boss or your colleagues on Facebook and Twitter.
- Consider booking a day’s leave after the party if you think you may be too tired to work.
TUC’s tips range from sound practical advice, to common sense to small corporate fantasy.
Have realistic Christmas party expectations
Some things are unavoidable. If there are alcoholic drinks available to a large group of people, a number of them are likely to get drunk. There will be mischief-makers, social awkwardness at unusual scenarios; there will be selfies on social networks, people might get carried away; quite probably someone will be in tears before the end of the night. Many workers might want to leave before the evening reaches this point, but it’s all a part of the traditional British Christmas party.Equally, the notion that managers can be softened up by booze and Christmas cheer often prevails in some workplaces. Workers might strongly believe this is the right strategy for getting the answers they want from their boss.Of course we can put everything in place to limit the damage and potential for damage as much as possible, but to 100 per cent avoid it entirely is only possible if everyone has a slightly dull time.We wish you a safe and Happy Christmas party. Best wishes for 2016 from everyone Atlantic Resource.If you’re seeking new work for the New Year, in office administration, construction, catering or care, you know where to find us.
