Dos And Don’ts For Workplace Gatherings

Whether it is the big, year-end party for the winter holidays or a special lunch celebration for a team member’s birthday, there are rules for relaxing in the workplace. Business leaders and employees alike need to be cognizant of their attitude and behavior when they are enjoying a low stress gathering at work. Here are a few basic dos and don’ts to make workplace gatherings more fun and productive for everyone involved.

Do: Always Attend

Whether it is an office winter holiday party or a lunch for a colleague’s birthday, professionals should always leave enough space in their busy schedules to make an appearance at a workplace gathering. Business leaders especially should show their face during celebrations; seeing the bosses in a relaxed state during office get-togethers gives employees permission to take a much-needed break from work. Meanwhile, lower-level employees can use parties as opportunities to network, strengthening their relationships with coworkers and superiors.

Don’t: Hide in a Corner

Professionals who spend the entire event stuck to the wall or hidden in the corner might as well not have attended. There are plenty of ways to find greater comfort in social situations, such as making conversation over snacks and drinks or taking charge of the playlist. It is appropriate to take breaks from socializing by escaping to an office or the bathroom for a few minutes, but under no circumstances should workers spend the entire get-together huddled by themselves.

Do: Greet Important People

No matter one’s rank within an organization, an office party attendee should always greet and express gratitude toward the important people at the gathering. For most workplace get-togethers, this includes the people who are hosting and organizing the event as well as any high-level business leaders in attendance. For some gatherings, there will be honored guests; for example, at employee anniversary recognition events, professionals should congratulate the worker who has achieved such an important milestone. The simple act of greeting important people is a strong and effective networking strategy to get the most career benefit from workplace gatherings.

Don’t: Bring A Guest

Shy and introverted employees might be more comfortable at a gathering when they can bring someone, they feel relaxed around, but unless the invitations say that guests are invited, it is not appropriate to come to an office gathering with a plus-one. Instead, workers should befriend a coworker and make plans to attend the party together, so they can be certain there will be someone they know and like.

Do: Sign The Card

Events that celebrate an employee for some achievement tend to circulate a card for the honoree for their coworkers to sign and add a personal message. Attendees should seek out the card and add their name. If there is not already a card making the rounds, attendees should bring their own, and in some occasions, it might be wise to add a small gift, like a gift card to a local coffee shop.

Don’t: Talk Only About Work

When any number of professionals in the same field get together, there is bound to be some shop talk. However, because workplace social events are meant to give workers a break from their day-to-day activities, focusing all conversations on work will only make everyone feel stressed. Parties give coworkers a chance to form deeper personal connections, so workers should try to steer conversations toward personal topics.

Don’t: Gossip

Another pitfall of office gatherings tends to be the possibility of gossip. Because gossip most often involves complaints or rumors about people, spreading gossip can be dangerous to a professional’s career. Gossipers often develop bad reputations in the workplace, especially amongst business leaders who want their teams to support one another. If conversations start to drift into the territory of gossip during a work function, professionals should try to tactfully redirect to a safer subject.

Do: Get Back To Work

Workplace gatherings can be fun, but they always come to an end. Whether the event was a long lunch or a full-day team-building adventure, professionals need to be able to get back into the work mindset afterwards. This means choosing not to consume so many sugary treats or alcoholic beverages that one can no longer function in their role. It might be worthwhile for a worker to jot down a to-do list before leaving for the event, so when they return to their desk, they know exactly what to focus on first.