The main rules of behavior at a New Year's corporate party

A New Year's corporate party seems like a harmless party, but it is no less important for a career than an annual report: according to how an employee communicates, looks and controls himself, the bosses draw conclusions about his reliability and prospects. Proper behavior helps to make useful contacts, strengthen relationships with colleagues, and avoid being the hero of awkward videos that have been circulating in chat rooms for many months after the holiday. All the details are in the Izvestia article.

Corporate is also a job

New Year's Eve is a continuation of the working day, only in a less formal setting, and not a "separation" among "their own" without consequences. Managers use corporate events to take a closer look at how an employee behaves outside the office, whether he knows how to keep up a conversation and whether he is crossing boundaries.

Etiquette experts advise treating the event as a networking opportunity: get to know colleagues from other departments, strengthen contact with management, and show yourself a team player. Refusal to participate without a valid reason is often perceived as unwillingness to be part of the team, especially if the corporate event is held once a year.

Dress code: smart, but not provocative

The main rule is that clothing must match the format, location, and corporate culture of the company. Stylists and etiquette experts remind you that overly revealing outfits or overtly casual jeans with a T-shirt at a New Year's banquet look disrespectful and can distract attention from the professional qualities of an employee.

Experts recommend clarifying the dress code in advance in the invitation or with the organizers and choosing versatile, neat looks. For business events, it is recommended to give preference to closed models, calm colors and comfortable shoes in which you can freely dance and move around the hall.

The main guidelines of the corporate dress code:

• moderate length and closed top, without excessive slits and deep cutouts;

• neat shoes with or without a stable heel, not overtly club-style models;

• suits and dresses that combine conviviality with business style;

• a minimum of provocative details that can lead to gossip.

Alcohol: the main risk of the evening

Almost all experts agree on one thing: it is alcohol abuse that most often makes corporate events a source of problems for years to come. Under his influence, people say too much, lose self-control and commit acts that become a reason for discussion and affect their careers.

Psychologists and HR specialists advise setting a personal limit for yourself before the event and not exceeding it, even if others are actively encouraging you to "drink to your superiors." It is useful to have a hearty meal in advance before the start of the banquet and alternate alcoholic beverages with water or non-alcoholic cocktails to reduce the burden on the body, as well as to make sure the quality of the drinks offered.

Practical rules for handling alcohol at a corporate party:

• Don't come hungry so that the alcohol doesn't take effect too quickly.;

• do not mix different types of alcohol and choose low-alcohol drinks.;

• Stay away from "contests," speed toasts, and intrusive coworkers.;

• stop in time and go home if you feel like you're losing control.

Communication and boundaries: what to talk about and keep silent about

Label experts remind you that corporate events are not a reason to discuss salaries, politics, religion, and controversial topics that easily turn into conflict, especially under pressure. It is much more appropriate to talk about hobbies, travel, movies, vacation plans — in such conversations it is easier to find common ground without unnecessary tension.

Business communication experts advise you to watch your language and facial expressions: sarcasm, passive aggression, gossip, and criticism of colleagues or management may surface later and turn into problems. Appropriate jokes, the ability to listen and maintain a neutral dialogue, on the contrary, work for a reputation in the team.

To communicate comfortably at a corporate party, it is useful to remember:

• Avoid arguments about politics, religion, money, and colleagues' personal lives.;

• do not discuss the bosses and the inner kitchen of the company in a negative way;

• Let's talk to others, don't interrupt and don't monopolize attention.;

• if the conversation turns into an unpleasant direction, gently change the subject or the other person.

Flirting and office affairs: a high-risk area

Psychologists emphasize that corporate events erase the usual distance between colleagues, and it is in this atmosphere that risky flirtations and impulsive confessions most often occur. To an outsider, this may look like non-business behavior and undermine the reputation of the participants, especially if one of them holds a leadership position.​

Experts warn that flirting with a colleague who is higher or lower in the corporate ladder often provokes rumors and conversations about favoritism. Alcohol makes the situation worse — it reduces the critical thinking and a person can admit something that he bitterly regrets the next morning when he sees himself on video or hears retellings.

In order not to ruin a reputation due to a momentary infatuation, experts advise:

• maintain physical distance when dancing and taking photos, avoiding excessive intimacy;

• do not make outright compliments, much less confessions of feelings.;

• immediately stop obsessive attention by politely leaving the situation, rather than getting involved in a conflict.;

• keep in mind your partners outside the office and how what you see can affect relationships and the atmosphere in the team.

How to deal with your boss

Business protocol experts remind you that even at an informal party, the hierarchy remains and the leader is still the leader, not "his guy at the table." A brief tactful conversation, gratitude for the organization of the holiday and general positive phrases are more appropriate than attempts to discuss salary increases or painful conflicts.​

Etiquette recommends not to impose on the boss and not to spend the whole evening next to him, turning the holiday into a "mini-interview." It is important not to be late for the official part, when the management sums up the results and thanks the employees, and not to defiantly leave in the middle of a speech.

Basic rules of communication with the management at a corporate event:

• Arrive on time so as not to interrupt official performances.;

• briefly thank you for the event at the meeting or before leaving.;

• do not complain about colleagues and do not discuss personnel decisions in an informal setting.;

• don't stay until the last minute if the management has already dispersed and the format has become too loose.

If everything went wrong: how to smooth out the consequences

Psychologists advise you not to dramatize or wind yourself up if you remember awkward episodes the morning after a corporate party. In most cases, the circle of witnesses is limited, and people forget other people's mistakes faster than their own, especially if the culprit knows how to honestly admit a mistake.

During a quiet working day, label specialists recommend personally apologizing to those who witnessed or participated in an unpleasant episode, briefly explain the situation and promise that this will not happen again. After that, it's important to really change behavior at future events so that a single embarrassment doesn't grow into a stable reputation for a "problematic" employee.

The sequence of actions after an unsuccessful corporate event may be as follows:

1. Calmly collect the facts: what exactly happened, who witnessed it, and what is being retold.

2. Apologize personally and without unnecessary drama to the colleagues involved.

3. In a conversation with the supervisor, if he is aware, admit the mistake and draw conclusions.

4. At the following events, refrain from alcohol and provocative situations, confirming the changes with deeds.

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