When invited to an office party or professional lunch, it can be confusing to know how casual is too casual for a business setting. While get-togethers and parties are usually held to instill camaraderie and friendship in the office, they can become wildly out of control when employees and employers don't respect the boundaries of etiquette for professional social situations. If you know the rules and stay on your best behavior, you will enjoy the time with your coworkers and won't regret anything the morning after.
Dress Code
You should always ask the person who is organizing the party, lunch or event what the dress code is. Unless otherwise specified, the office's dress code should still apply if the event is being held in the office, says educational fraternity Alpha Rho Chi. Lunches at restaurants or rented halls may require semi-formal dress, while officewide picnics or sporting events usually involve casual dress.
Introductions
Always introduce yourself to others with your name and your title at the company. Not only is this polite, but it gives other people a chance to introduce themselves and their title to you as well. This will tell you what level of formality you need to maintain with that particular person. For instance, you may want to stay fairly professional when speaking with a CEO, while you can chat more easily with someone who is your professional equal.
Conversation
Keep conversation light and humorous while still maintaining a professional level of restraint when discussing personal things. While it is fine to talk about family, sports or entertainment, it's best to leave hot-button issues like politics, religion or money out of the picture, says The Concord Monitor. You don't want to engage in a heated debate about health care reform with someone whom you need to work closely with again come Monday.
Drinking
As a general rule, when in doubt, don't drink any alcohol when attending a professional social event, warns The Boston Globe. Too often it lowers your inhibitions that you would normally operate under when at the office. If you must have a drink, and it is acceptable to do so as referenced by your superiors' example, have only one drink per hour and follow each one with a bottle of water to pace yourself.
Physical Contact
It can be tempting to get a little closer with a coworker while in a more casual social situation, but never do anything at a work party or event that you would be embarrassed discussing at the water cooler come Monday. A firm handshake or a casual hug may be appropriate, but remember that physical touch can become sexual harassment the moment that a coworker feels uncomfortable with the level of touch, says CBS News. Play it safe and keep coworkers at arm's length when attending a work function.
Member Comments