Office Party Etiquette for the Boss

Tips directed at CEOs to Survive the Christmas Do

Dec 12, 2008 Inka Piegsa-Quischotte

A few tips and rules for the boss to get through the official office merrimaking with dignity and diplomacy.

Much has been written about how to behave, how to avoid embarassment and how to dress properly for male and female employees. Little consideration has been given to the CEO, boss or manager who finds himself or herself in a delicate situation at any office party, whatever the occasion.. Here are a few tips and rules to facilitate clear sailing with authority and dignity intact without being considered a stuffy shirt (or skirt).

Purpose of the Office Party

Generally speaking, there are two occasions for an office party: one is seasonal, most notably Christmas and sometimes the New Year. The other is special occasions like retirement of an employee, anniversary of the boss, firm or a long time employee. Depending on the size of the company, there may be departmental parties as well as big ones for the entire company or the local branch.

Whatever the occasion and whatever the size and number of guests, someone will always be the superior and the boss and it's up to him or her to make the party a success. Although the boss won't personally organise the festivities, he or she is the centrepiece and focus of attention.

Dress Code

Whether the boss is male or female. its imperative to dress appropriately. One of the reasons is, that employees tend to view the office party as a major possibility to further their own career by trying to corner the boss and making a lasting impression which might lead to promotion or a pay rise. Needless to say, that these attempts often get out of hand, particularly when a glass too many is involved and the boss needs to know how to fend off these attempts without causing embarassment or offence. One of the ways to achieve that .is by using dress as an invisible barrier. The clothes should convey, that the boss is indeed the boss. Clothes should never appear stuffy but shouldn't encourage intimacy either.

For a man, any party requires a suit. Depending on the occasion, a tie may be called for, or else a shirt which never has more than the frist button undone.

A woman should wear a suit or a dress. Trousers are best avoided, except if the shape of the legs require covering up. Flashy jewelery is a no,no. Big sparklers may advertise the fact that the boss earns a lot more than the rest of the guests, which wouldn't come over well. High heels are definitely a must. Generally speaking, an understated power dress code is best.

Drink

A boss must never foregt that office parties, from the viewpoint of the employees, are an occasion to get closer with people who are normally at a distance. That's why the boss is always the centre of attention. Office politcs are often vicious and so is gossip. Employees would love nothing better than catch out the boss getting plastered or in a compromising situation with the office junior. Excessive consumption of alcohol is not an option for the boss at any office party. The trick is to appear drinking without actually doing so. A full glass must be kept in the hand at all times and, if called for, a sip must be taken with anyone the boss is talking to. Nobody will notice how much or rather little is really drunk and the boss won't ever lose control.

Conversation

Office parties are an occasion to sozialise and to get to know the person behing the job title. That's the nice aspect of any office festivities. The boss will thoroughyl have done his or her home work and will therefore be able to have a few personal words and questions for each of the guestst o show, that he/she cares about them. It's also a brilliant occasion for the boss to scrutinize his employees' behavior and secretly assess potential for promotion.

On the other hand, any direct attempt by an employee to further their own goals during the Christmas party must be skilfully and elegantly circumvented. In fact, the dipolmatic skills are one of the reasons why the boss is...the boss. It's also a good idea to have the PA close by. If any kind of "assault" gets out of hand, the boss can turn away without arousing animosity.

In essence, any office party is there for the enjoyment of the employees, not for the entertainment of the boss. Bearing that in mind a boss should be able to survive with dignity, ready to celebrate the success later out of earshot and eyesight of his or her employees.

The copyright of the article Office Party Etiquette for the Boss in Entertaining is owned by Inka Piegsa-Quischotte. Permission to republish Office Party Etiquette for the Boss in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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