Work parties

Work Parties All personal stories are told by Susan, a retired nurse.

Work parties can be fun. It gives you a chance to socialize with coworkers on a level that does not involve work. However, are parties a good idea?

At Work Celebrations Have you ever worked in a place that they over-do the celebrations? I worked for a short time covering a maternity leave position in a private practice, and I have never seen any group celebrate as this one did. My first day I was told there would be a Halloween party in 2 days, which at the time sounded fun. The party went well, it was nice to meet everyone on staff, and it left a good impression on me. However, the next week was a birthday celebration for the receptionist. The following week there was another birthday celebration and a birthday celebration for a secretary’s 1 year old child. At this point, it was borderline too much for me. During the 4 months I was there, I counted 29 celebrations of birthdays, anniversaries, children's accomplishments, the list goes on. When my 4-month obligation was complete, the office manager offered me a job, which I very quickly turned down. To me, this was a case of perhaps too much of a good thing.

Related: Embarrassing Medical Conditions Facilities that recognize birthdays of employees should consider how much time is spent on celebrations, and survey employees to determine how many people enjoy the get together. One solution may be to have one late day celebration per month for anyone that had a birthday that month.

After Hour Parties This is a very controversial topic. Many people have lost a lot from attending a party with co-workers after working hours. It goes without saying, anytime you involve alcohol into the scenario of fun, things can happen. Not everything is negative that happens, however, it can be.

People lose respect at after hour parties, and although the party may end, and work returns, the party stays with the attendee and never goes away for those that were there.

So how do you handle the party issue, without being a party pooper? It’s simple, plan to attend the party, be a good sport, and accept the invite.

Before going, eat something. That will ensure the cocktail hour will not get the best of you. Limit your consumption of alcohol to what you know that you can handle without getting to the point that it affects your judgement.

Think about your interactions while at the party. It's ok to have fun, however, don’t go over-board, a table dance will hang over your head for the remainder of your employment. Mingle and socialize, be friendly and enjoy yourself, but don’t drink too much, and maintain a level of professionalism, remember the group are your co-workers and not necessarily friends. Don’t let a great reputation at work be ruined over one incident, it happens more often than you realize.

Small social gatherings with coworkers can be fun, getting to know them outside of work can be a bonding experience. Again, remember the rule of not drinking too much, alcohol can take its toll on people at times, and lowers your inhibitions. People say and do things that they would not normally do, and I assure you that your co-workers will never let it go. Limit your drinks to 2 over a 2-hour period, and combine them with an appetizer, you should be fine. Laugh, have fun, share stories, but don’t get hammered, it will come back to haunt you.

Related: How to Perfect your Nursing Resume Parties and celebrations can add a nice touch to a work environment, providing it is not taken too far. If you feel uncomfortable attending an event after hours, just decline. It’s better to be safe than sorry. The main concern is that you maintain your credibility and the level of respect that you are accustomed to.

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