As the year draws to a close, many of us will be looking forward to wrapping up the working year and taking a break.
This time of the year also marks many celebrations, including work year-end functions. These are an important chance to celebrate, show gratitude for a hard year’s work, and motivate staff for next year.
Nonetheless, take a year’s stress and add with excitement (and alcohol), and the opportunity for professional and personal disaster abounds. Both employees and employers should pay careful attention to the way they behave at these functions. Some things to watch out for:
1. Your boss is still your boss, and the same rules of communication and respect remain;
2. Your boss’s partner deserves to be treated the same way you treat your boss;
3. This is not a good opportunity to make a pass at co-workers;
4. Find out the dress code, and come dressed appropriately;
5. Arrive on time;
6. Drink responsibly;
7. Identify key people to talk with, including a co-worker you don’t know very well;
8. Employees should be celebrated and not berated (leave the office politics or problems for another day);
9. Smile and be friendly;
10. This is an important chance to make a good impression for possible promotions.
