Have fun at your year end functions without allowing them to affect the rest of your career…..
Can you believe the so called “silly season” is almost upon us? We all really look forward to our year-end work functions; it is one of the highlights of the year. It provides an opportunity to get to know your colleagues at a more personal level, in the more conducive, relaxed, informal environment.
Social media is an integral part of our lives. It is also a very powerful medium for sharing indiscretions and destroying reputations. The down-side of social media is the fact that nothing whatsoever is sacred. Year-end office function blunders and indiscretions have fuelled many urban legends. Many of these continue to circulate for years. Nowadays, with many people using their cell phones or digital cameras to take footage at the year-end function, many of these blunders are shared on Social Media.
Admittedly, some of these are hilarious, particularly if they do not involve you, or any of your employees. It is, however, a very different matter when this is not the case.
It is advisable to have fun at your year-end function, but with the knowledge that you need to lead, interact, and engage with your team the next day. To do so, you must always be worthy of respect. You must conduct yourself in a sociable, but professional manner, abstain from any behaviour, word or deed that you may later live to regret, dress appropriately, drink moderately, leave work in the office, and compliment and thank those who organised the event.
Bonnie Currin