Company Party Blunders -- Top Ten List from Nichols College

Every year hundreds doom their careers by acting foolishly at company holiday parties. In an effort to protect employees, Nichols College compiled a list of the Top Ten Company Party Blunders.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 16, 2002

CONTACT: Doug Barney
(508) 213-2219
dbarney@nichols.edu
Nichols.edu

Company Party Blunders -- Top Ten List from Nichols College

Dudley, MA -- Every year hundreds doom their careers by acting foolishly at company holiday parties. In an effort to protect employees, Nichols College compiled a list of the Top Ten Company Party Blunders.
10. Dressing for failure. Company parties are the place to put your best foot forward, which means dressing like your job depends on it. Dress for the job you want, not the one you have. But dont overdress and make your boss look shabby.
9. Loose Lips. Nothing sinks a career faster than a few ill-chosen words. Be upbeat about your company and its employees, but please, refrain from a critical blunder -- the obvious suck up.
8. Using racist, sexist, or other offensive language. If you hear folks (the too much egg nog crowd) getting racy, excuse yourself or simply drift off to another conversation.
7. Hanky panky. Office liaisons are the number one source of office gossip, and you dont want to be a target. Keep your hands and comments to yourself.
6. Poor manners. While drunken and inappropriate behavior can torpedo a career, a lack of manners can chip away at its foundation. Greet people appropriately, introduce your date, and eat properly.
5. Failing to prep your date. Make sure that your date follows the same rules as you. Dont dress too flashy or messy, know who the important players are, dont gossip, and never reveal personal details of your partner.
4. Mistreating boss spouse or partner. Be gracious, polite, complimentary, and appropriate. An invitation to a slow dance would not be appropriate.
3. Ignoring upper management. Introduce yourself to key players, but act modest, dont overstay your welcome, and be positive. Dont approach bosses if at all inebriated.
2. Not showing up. Think your boss wont notice your absence in all the excitement? Think again. Not attending the holiday party is inexcusable, and harms morale. Show up on time, dont leave too early, and make sure your presence lends positive energy to the event.
1. Too much spiked egg nog. This is the classic employee mistake. Alcohol loosens inhibitions, and is the number one cause of the dreaded Foot in Mouth" disease. If you feel that youve had enough, duck out before you say something stupid.

Nichols College
Center Road
Dudley, MA 01572-5000

###