How NOT to Ruin Your Career at Work Parties

How NOT to Ruin Your Career at Work Parties Tis the  season to not get too folly. Everyone loves a good summer party. Not only does it break up the lengthy wait between Christmases, but its also  an opportunity to let your hair down with the people who  youve toughed out  the first half of the year with. Apart from your colleagues, there is usually one guest who never fails on attendance, and they go by the name of Inappropriate Behaviour. In most cases, great food, drink and sunshine is a great recipe for  celebrating  the company you work for. However, its a combination that  can also be a  catalyst for extremely cringeworthy behaviours. Unless you are planning to flee the country the day after your summer do, its best you save face and hold onto your dignity. How can you do this? Simply.  Avoid these  extremely embarrassing acts: 1. Avoid friendly confrontation After having broken free  from the confines of the office walls and all the rules that come with being there, you might feel inclined to be up front about  some workplace  frustrations and annoyances. You might think its a good chance to passively address ongoing issues that have been brewing in the background, but it really isnt. Its an unprofessional behaviour that will only add fuel to fires. Youll probably end up saying things you really should have kept quiet about, or gone to HR with first. The big no-no here is having it out with your boss, and trying to make light of the situation. 2. Dont spill your  secrets The thing with secrets, is that once youve spilled the beans, the beans cannot be unspilled. Opening up has its place: it can sometimes be a really good thing, and encourage a sense of cohesion and trust among you and your work mates. However there is definitely a line, and crossing it will likely leave you feeling  exposed and regretful. You dont want to be the butt of jokes at your company, or open yourself up for scrutiny by revealing too much about your personal life. 3. Keep your clothes on When the weathers warm and the good vibes are flowing, you might feel inclined to strip off and let the warm air caress your skin. NO. Just, no. Even if there is a pool at your disposal, make a promise with yourself that its bathers or nothing. Not only will getting semi-naked make you look unprofessional, it will also come back to haunt you  again and again, thanks to smart phones with cameras. 4.  Stay awake Youre  tired,  perhaps a little bit tipsy and maybe even a bit sun stroke. Still, sleeping in public places is not an acceptable behaviour.  If you feel yourself nodding off, take yourself home.  Falling asleep looks really bad, and again, the photos will haunt you forever.  And then there are the safety issues involved 5. Dont become overly affectionate We work with our colleagues every day; you share a special bond that should generally be kept as a verbal, professional one. Watch your wandering hands; the summer party can often create what seems like the perfect opportunity to become affectionate and tell our colleagues just how much they mean to us. Remember to keep things professional.  In the instance that you have an office crush attending the party too, its best to lay out some ground rules for yourself beforehand, and stick to them. Without some serious self control you could end up putting on a show for your company that you maybe wouldnt usually want them having tickets to 6.  Get out of the gossip circles Interesting stories often come out at summer parties. Only a couple of hours in, youll probably find yourself learning A LOT of new information about the people you work closely with day to day. Whatever you do, dont get roped in to nasty gossiping. This sort of behaviour can make some employees feel left out and insecure, and really encourages a negative culture. Try to remain as positive as possible youll feel so much better having been a friendly patron, and you wont have that sinking feeling the next day, trying to remember all the hurtful things you said in jest. Avoid these 6 acts and your  summer party should be smooth sailing!  Whats the most embarrassing thing youve seen at a  work  party? Image: Shutterstock