SO another firm fixture on the seasonal schedule currently taking place across towns and cities is the annual Christmas work ‘do’.
This is intended as an opportunity to mix with friends and colleagues in a relaxed setting while enjoying lunch, dinner or maybe just a few festive drinks and snacks in the office. These are often people you spend most of your time with, especially if you regularly work a 40 hour plus week. They may be people you know well or a broad mix of staff from different areas/departments with varying degrees of responsibility.
The purpose of such occasions include the opportunity for staff to have a pre-Christmas celebration away from the desk, usually during work time*, maybe a chance for management to reward staff for their hard work and support throughout the year, or perhaps a thank you to clients and stakeholders for their continued support. (*Much of the added attraction is often a ‘buckshee’ afternoon. Incidentally my Dad knew someone who regularly booked a haircut during working hours – their rationale being that as their hair grew during work time it should be cut during work time…)
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There is, however, a largely outdated view that such occasions are a melting pot for drunken, flirtatious behaviour and inappropriate banter (or worse) but I think the risk of ending up in a tribunal or losing your job has put paid to a lot of this type of conduct.
It seems today’s Christmas party is a much more sedate beast and while I am too young to have experienced the type of raucous release such gatherings previously provoked, I can understand why they have become a much more restrained affair.
The advancement in smartphone technology means that incidents which might previously been passed off as office gossip can now be recorded and shared online in glorious HD detail. Social media platforms provide instant access to a wider audience and a relatively minor demeanour could effectively ruin someone’s reputation and/or career.
The growing influence of the #MeToo movement, which first gained prominence in 2017, and highlighted cases of sexual harassment and abuse in the workplace has also had a significant impact. We are continuing to witness the fallout of this as more women come forward to call out unacceptable and inappropriate behaviour from male colleagues. It is therefore no a surprise that office Christmas parties are, for many businesses, no longer sanctioned or organised by management.
For some, particularly those in high pressure and stressful working environments, the temptation can be too much. As the saying goes “when the drink’s in, the wit’s out” and sometimes the close proximity to colleagues outside the confines of the office can provide an ill-judged opportunity to air grievances or confess your undying love to an unsuspecting colleague.
One of my greatest fears is pulling a similar intoxicated stunt to that of Bridget Jones at the beginning the first movie when she gets up on a desk, champagne in hand and deely bobber (that’s apparently what those tinselly antlers are called...) atop her head and starts screeching along to Harry Nilsson’s Without You in front of her fellow colleagues and boss (Hugh Grant)... the repercussions don’t bear thinking about.
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Then there is the actual cost - with most people paying for their own food and drink and/or contributing to a kitty for pre- or post-party drinks, it can be an expensive outing. Let’s hope that Guinness shortage doesn’t become a reality…
But by all means go out, have a laugh, let your hair down, enjoy your food but remember the wise words of Hollywood icon Denzel Washington when he advised younger actors to “leave the party 30 minutes before the devil gets there…”
