We have all heard horror stories of embarrassing moments at work events. Whether overindulging on the free wine and smashing a glass or getting into a tense conversation with your manager, work functions are a fine balance between being professional and showing your social side. This list covers 19 faux-pas you should avoid at your next work event.
Getting Too Tipsy
An open bar is tempting for many of us, but one too many glasses of wine and you risk waking up with not only a sore head but also a host of regrets. Enjoy your chance to unwind with colleagues, but avoid getting too tipsy and finding yourself in a sticky situation.
Swearing
Staff functions tend to be a more informal affair than typical meetings or workdays, but maintaining a level of professional language is important to respect your colleagues and the event as a whole. Using inappropriate language is awkward for everyone and oversteps a boundary in a workplace setting.
Gossiping About Colleagues
Avoid stooping to gossiping about colleagues at a work party. It only serves to demonstrate your lack of professionalism and can land you in an awkward situation when word gets around. Instead, use the opportunity to foster positive relationships with your team, presenting as a positive and friendly colleague.
Staring at Your Phone
In most social settings, it's considered rude to neglect the other guests and constantly stare at your phone. This is particularly pertinent at a work event, where being an active member of the team is important, and to be so distracted by your phone suggests you would rather not be there at all.
Wearing an Inappropriate Outfit
A work party or event is a good opportunity to show a bit of your personality and self-expression through your clothing, not held so stringently to professional outfits. However, taking it too far and wearing something wildly inappropriate will make you stand out for the wrong reasons, so stick to the dress code.
Disrespecting Boundaries
Encroaching too much into your fellow guest's personal space is uncomfortable for everyone and not appropriate at a work event. Equally, crossing other boundaries, for example, asking deeply personal questions, has the same effect and is the wrong time and place for such conversations.
Getting Too Political
In the same vein, using a work event as an opportunity to preach on your political views or try to goad political opinions out of your colleagues is deeply inappropriate and bound to cause awkward moments. Stick to safer topics, getting to know your peers in neutral conversation.
Talking Over People
Dominating conversation at a work event does not bode well, demonstrating an incapacity to listen actively and suggesting you like the sound of your own voice more than learning about others. Prioritize the give and take of a balanced conversation, asking questions and being appropriately curious about the other guests.
Being Impolite
Being polite to both your guests and any staff at the event is crucial to making a good impression. Neglecting a simple please and thank you will be remembered by others at the event and doesn't signal that you are a good team player or would be pleasant to work too closely with.
Turning Up Late
Make sure to arrive on time to the event, respecting the organization of the function and demonstrating your ability to keep to time. Showing up late might get noticed by others, including managers or bosses, and comes across as impolite. Set an alarm and get ready nice and early to avoid a key work event mistake.
Refusing to Engage
Staying on the sidelines of the event, watching the clock for when you can leave and go home or to somewhere you would rather be, is not a useful approach. Engage in conversation with the other guests, and put yourself forward for any activities that might be scheduled. This way, you show your willingness to get stuck in and avoid the perception of being resistant to getting to know your work colleagues.
Coming On Too Strong
As much as it's important to engage with the people and activities at a work event, the opposite extreme can be detrimental. Putting yourself at the forefront of every conversation, being the loudest voice in the room, and attempting to rise above all others can be rude and excessive. Just be yourself, letting your authentic personality shine through without needing to come on too strong.
Being Messy
Cleaning up after yourself is polite in any setting, but particularly at a work event. Leaving behind plates and glasses on the assumption a member of staff will pick up after you comes across as entitled, not an impression you would choose to make amongst colleagues. Leave things tidy and help staff where you can, to create a much better impression and to be polite.
Complaining About Work
Of course, it can be tempting to vent about your work frustrations amongst colleagues who might share those feelings. However, doing so at a work event is unprofessional and risks being overheard by members of the leadership team, who would certainly be unhappy to hear such things. Stay positive, and save your frustrations for outside a work context.
Leaving Early for No Reason
Without a valid explanation, leaving a work event early comes off as rude and signals that you would much rather be elsewhere. Try to get the best out of the event, investing in your time there and building on connections and networks. You might find you actually enjoy it and, moreover, create relationships that might go on to advance your career.
Talk About Confidential Work Topics
Despite being at a work event, some work-related topics should remain off-limits. Anything confidential ought to remain in the office during specific meetings meant for that conversation rather than at a party or corporate event designed for mingling and socializing. Be mindful of what you choose to discuss, and leave work for the work day.
Being Competitive
Of course, corporate and work events are a great opportunity to network and develop connections with colleagues. Certainly, it's appropriate to put your efforts into doing so, but to try too hard to compete with others in this task could come across as overdoing it and missing the point of the event. Work to maintain a good balance of making new connections while keeping with the mood of the event.
Neglecting to Thank the Organizers
Make sure to take the time to thank those who organized the event, showing your gratitude for an event that probably took a lot of work to put together. To leave without offering your thanks is rude and shows a level of entitlement you likely don't want your colleagues or managers to associate with you.
Overindulging in the Food and Drinks
Enjoy the complimentary food and drink that might be on offer at your work event, but make sure to take only your fair share. There's a certain amount to go around for everyone, so if you overindulge, others might miss out.
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