From embarrassing dance moves to workplace secrets shared over dessert, our study reveals how one night of letting loose can have lasting effects on your career.
Here’s a state-by-state breakdown of the worst office holiday party mistakes:
Key findings
More alcohol = more mischief
72% of managers cited alcohol as the root cause of the most memorable office party incidents. With that being said, it’s best to avoid drinking in excess. Limit yourself to one or two drinks maximum–or better yet, none at all.
Conversations to avoid
In essence, this is not the time to corner your manager and ask for a pay raise–it seems that nothing dampens the holiday spirit quite like inappropriate chat.
Among the list of things to avoid talking about at all costs were personal oversharing (36%) and political or religious debates (23%).
If you want to discuss office gossip or gripe about company policies, do it when you are sober and with a trusted colleague.
Bounce back gracefully
So, you did one–or all–of the things you’d been warned not to do. Could you be at risk of losing your job when you come into the office the next morning?
Well, potentially not if you immediately make a sincere apology (59%), deemed the most effective way to recover the situation.
Using humor to diffuse tension can also work (20%)–after all, we’re only human and we’ve all made mistakes.
You won’t get anywhere by ignoring the incident or trying to overcompensate by planning the next party.
Moments worth remembering
Holiday parties aren’t just about dodging disaster, however, they’re a great excuse to come together with your colleagues and let off a bit of steam at the end of a hard-working year.
It’s also a great way to meet new people from different parts of the company and potentially broaden your career horizons.
Activities such as group games (35%), and karaoke performances (26%) stood out as the most fun and bonding experiences and can provide water cooler conversations when you’re back in the office.
Navigating the morning after
Some people will wake up with a headache, for sure, but the majority of employees (44%) reported feeling ‘exhausted but happy’ the next day, showing they’d had a genuinely good time at the office party.
There are always a few, however, who wake up with regrets: 13% admitted to feeling embarrassment, indicating that when you’ve had time to sleep on it, these small, regrettable moments can snowball into big ones.
Simple strategies to maintain a positive image
There are three golden rules that managers recommended, the first one, aptly, concerning alcohol:
- Stick to one or two drinks only (38%). Pace yourself, and enjoy the night responsibly. You’ll have a better time if you’re not worried about what you might have done or said the morning after.
- Avoid controversial conversation topics (29%). Steer clear of anything that could escalate into an argument.
- Most importantly, relax and have fun (34%). Overthinking can lead to awkwardness, so just focus on enjoying the whole thing.
The holidays are a chance to really connect with your colleagues and celebrate shared successes.
They’re also a reward for all your hard work during the year, so by keeping a level head and not getting carried away, you can shine at the party–and beyond!
