Everyone knows the do’s and don’ts of office party etiquette when you’re in a work setting, the desks pushed together to hold the sandwich platters and streamers flying from the copier.
But what is proper etiquette when you’re hosting the office party in your home?
The line between what’s yours and what’s the company’s becomes blurred. Your job as host is all important in setting the tone for a party that’s proper yet enjoyable for everyone from the intern to the VP.
In addition to being a proper guest – not drinking too much, not eating too much, not dancing at all, and saying just the right thing to the boss – as host you have added responsibilities.
Here are the Top 8 things to remember when hosting the office party.
1. Let others have input
This isn’t just another party of yours. If it’s work related, it’s not really your own party. Let others chip in and have a say in what food is to be served and other party details. You’re allowed to show off your best dishes, your décor and make the best food you’ve got in your recipe book, but remember it’s not all about you.
2. Be clear on the specifics
Even the most casual office party should have a written (or emailed) invitation with the time, date, place and directions to your house. Be sure to specify whether spouses, guests and children are invited, what if anything each person should bring, and what the dress will be.
Work parties tend to make some people uneasy, especially people new to the job. No one wants to make a bad impression or do the wrong thing at the office party. Set up your party for everyone’s success.
3. Control the alcohol
Like any party, you’re morally - if not legally - responsible for party guests who leave the party having had too much to drink. American and Canadian laws don’t clearly hold the social party host and homeowner legally responsible for drunk driving and other accidents, but the laws are gray and fuzzy. Plus, you won’t want the burden of knowing you allowed someone to leave your home drunk.
Making the work party BYOB puts the responsibility of serving on each guest, however, it also opens up the door to harder liquor.
Know what kind of drinkers your work mates are, and decide what’s in everyone’s best interests – beer and wine only, or BYOB.
4. Know who’s coming
Go over your list of RSVPs carefully and try to remember names of new employees and spouses. You won’t be expected to know the boss’s third wife’s name, but if you do, extra points for you.
5. Be the model of good behavior
As the host, set the tone for the party by practicing the first rule of office parties: moderation. Don’t drink too much, don’t eat too much and don’t hole up in a corner with a work friend the whole night. Lifehacker.com has some excellent advice from posters who share their experiences with office parties.
“Just be gracious. Dress appropriately . . . listen attentively to others while keeping your own cards close to the vest . . . politely decline to attend after-parties, and arrive to work on time in the morning.”
6. Stash sensitive material
Your co-workers may be welcome in your home, but they don’t necessarily have to know how much you have in your checking account and how much your Mastercard bill was for last month.
When “party proofing” your house, put away your calendar, your address book, financial papers and other sensitive material that could be fodder for the office gossip.
While you’re at it, take a second look at all the framed photographs you have on display. Be sure you're comfortable with the personal side of you that your colleagues are going to see.
7. Put away kids and pets
Not to lump those two groups together, but if guests are not bringing their children, yours should not be at the party either. Hire a babysitter and set the brood up with movies in an out-of-the-way bedroom for the evening, or arrange for them to stay overnight with a friend.
Same goes for your dog. You may love him, but party guests won’t if he’s slobbering, pawing and begging. Set him up in a bedroom with water, a food dish and a chew toy.
8. Thank the people who helped
If the party is in your home, you’re likely to get most or all of the credit. Be sure to thank anyone who helped plan the party, arrange for food and drinks, and other duties. A public thank-you as part of a toast would be best of all.
More office party etiquette on the Web:
Miss Conduct Robin Abrahams and Etiquette at Work columnist Peter Post check in with their holiday party advice on Boston.com.
Holiday Party Etiquette from Monster.com’s job advice site.
Slacker Manager’s Office Holiday Party Survival Tips
A to Z of Manners and Etiquette: The Office Party
But what is proper etiquette when you’re hosting the office party in your home?
The line between what’s yours and what’s the company’s becomes blurred. Your job as host is all important in setting the tone for a party that’s proper yet enjoyable for everyone from the intern to the VP.
In addition to being a proper guest – not drinking too much, not eating too much, not dancing at all, and saying just the right thing to the boss – as host you have added responsibilities.
Here are the Top 8 things to remember when hosting the office party.
1. Let others have input
This isn’t just another party of yours. If it’s work related, it’s not really your own party. Let others chip in and have a say in what food is to be served and other party details. You’re allowed to show off your best dishes, your décor and make the best food you’ve got in your recipe book, but remember it’s not all about you.
2. Be clear on the specifics
Even the most casual office party should have a written (or emailed) invitation with the time, date, place and directions to your house. Be sure to specify whether spouses, guests and children are invited, what if anything each person should bring, and what the dress will be.
Work parties tend to make some people uneasy, especially people new to the job. No one wants to make a bad impression or do the wrong thing at the office party. Set up your party for everyone’s success.
3. Control the alcohol
Like any party, you’re morally - if not legally - responsible for party guests who leave the party having had too much to drink. American and Canadian laws don’t clearly hold the social party host and homeowner legally responsible for drunk driving and other accidents, but the laws are gray and fuzzy. Plus, you won’t want the burden of knowing you allowed someone to leave your home drunk.
Making the work party BYOB puts the responsibility of serving on each guest, however, it also opens up the door to harder liquor.
Know what kind of drinkers your work mates are, and decide what’s in everyone’s best interests – beer and wine only, or BYOB.
4. Know who’s coming
Go over your list of RSVPs carefully and try to remember names of new employees and spouses. You won’t be expected to know the boss’s third wife’s name, but if you do, extra points for you.
5. Be the model of good behavior
As the host, set the tone for the party by practicing the first rule of office parties: moderation. Don’t drink too much, don’t eat too much and don’t hole up in a corner with a work friend the whole night. Lifehacker.com has some excellent advice from posters who share their experiences with office parties.
“Just be gracious. Dress appropriately . . . listen attentively to others while keeping your own cards close to the vest . . . politely decline to attend after-parties, and arrive to work on time in the morning.”
6. Stash sensitive material
Your co-workers may be welcome in your home, but they don’t necessarily have to know how much you have in your checking account and how much your Mastercard bill was for last month.
When “party proofing” your house, put away your calendar, your address book, financial papers and other sensitive material that could be fodder for the office gossip.
While you’re at it, take a second look at all the framed photographs you have on display. Be sure you're comfortable with the personal side of you that your colleagues are going to see.
7. Put away kids and pets
Not to lump those two groups together, but if guests are not bringing their children, yours should not be at the party either. Hire a babysitter and set the brood up with movies in an out-of-the-way bedroom for the evening, or arrange for them to stay overnight with a friend.
Same goes for your dog. You may love him, but party guests won’t if he’s slobbering, pawing and begging. Set him up in a bedroom with water, a food dish and a chew toy.
8. Thank the people who helped
If the party is in your home, you’re likely to get most or all of the credit. Be sure to thank anyone who helped plan the party, arrange for food and drinks, and other duties. A public thank-you as part of a toast would be best of all.
More office party etiquette on the Web:
Miss Conduct Robin Abrahams and Etiquette at Work columnist Peter Post check in with their holiday party advice on Boston.com.
Holiday Party Etiquette from Monster.com’s job advice site.
Slacker Manager’s Office Holiday Party Survival Tips
A to Z of Manners and Etiquette: The Office Party
