Hanging out with your colleagues outside of the work environment can be a blast – especially where an office party is concerned.
However, this comes with its own dangers. Once the drinks start flowing and the music gets going it’s easy to let your guard slip – but going too far can land you in hot water, particularly when it comes to making the wrong call with your mobile. So before you go and embarrass yourself, read our guide to office party phone etiquette.
Rule No.1 – Avoid any tweeters.
If one of your colleagues is a well-known social media junkie, avoid them at all costs. Before you know it they’ll be tweeting about all the antics you got up to, and uploading videos of you dancing like your dad.
Rule No.2 – Resist the text temptation.
Don’t send any texts. And we mean none. A few drinks at the office party and you might find yourself getting all worked up about that guy/girl you’re crazy about, but who doesn’t feel the same way about you. Or that person you dumped, but still have feelings for. Wait until the next day to start messaging all the people you really want to tell about the party.
Rule No.3 – No facebooking in the early hours.
If you feel the need to update your Facebook status, or post some photos to your wall, try and do it at the beginning of the evening. Then you won’t wake up the next day with 100 comments asking you what on earth you were getting up to.
Rule No.4 – Careful with those camera flashes.
Watch out for camera phones, as they’ll be ready and waiting to catch you out. And if you do get pictured in a compromising position, try your best to make sure the pics don’t get sent to your boss.
Rule No.5 – No late night calls.
Don’t make any after hours phone calls, unless it’s to get someone to come and pick you up when the party ends. Spontaneous conversations on your mobile after a few drinks don’t tend to go down too well, and you may end up saying something that you come to regret for a good while.
And if you’re not planning on drinking the night away, be nice and don’t encourage your colleagues to get up to mischief so that you can embarrass them the following day.
But above all, enjoy yourself and be safe.
