Employee Engagement

How to Navigate Holiday Work Parties in 2023

’Tis the season to navigate holiday work parties. They don’t always go as planned. Take Bryce. He wanted to embrace the cliché when he put a lampshade on his head. It made his colleagues laugh. Only, once he had another drink, he forgot altogether about taking the lampshade off. In the end, the joke was on him—literally. If you don’t want to be a Bryce, try these suggestions for how to handle parties for your colleagues or clients with professionalism. For the past few years, companies have tried virtual parties. In 2023, the in-person company holiday event is making a comeback. That means you might need to brush up on how to attend the workplace party without undermining your professional reputation. 1. Consider the context Yes, you’ve been invited to a party to celebrate a fun or festive occasion. Still, you don’t want to lose sight of the fact that this is a social activity where you’re mixing with work colleagues and managers. You’ll need to be responsible throughout. Consider why your workplace is hosting a gathering in the first place. They probably want to encourage employee morale and show appreciation. They want you to have fun and relax, but make no mistake about it: work functions are still work. 2. Have a plan Make any holiday party less intimidating by putting a plan in place. You might be more inclined to drink too much or do something silly if you’re feeling anxious. So, reach out to a colleague that […]