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Many companies have started requiring workers to return to the office — which also means having to attend corporate events again. However, striking a balance between having fun and remaining professional can be difficult.
As a result, etiquette mistakes are common at company holiday parties. To cover the biggest dos and don'ts, Business Insider asked Diane Gottsman, a professional etiquette expert, to share the key mistakes to watch out for when attending these gatherings.
Here's what she said.
Although you might prefer to spend your time elsewhere, Gottsman explained that attending these events is an extension of your professional brand.
"I call it mandatory festivities or mandatory fun because it shows that you are engaged with your company. It's telling your boss that you care about your position in the firm — you're a team player," she said.
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Gottsman said another thing to watch out for is how much you drink, even if everyone else — including your boss — is indulging.
"This isn't the time to get drunk and lose your credibility, because you still have to go to work on Monday," she told BI.
Holiday parties are still considered company time, so you should always remain aware of your professional reputation.
On the other hand, don't feel compelled to drink if you don't want to.
"If you don't drink for whatever reason, you don't have to give an excuse or a reason," Gottsman explained.
If you're more comfortable sticking with a seltzer or soda, you should do that.
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If there's an RSVP on the invitation, it means the host is counting heads to ensure there's enough food, drinks, and place settings for each guest, Gottsman told BI. That's why it's important to respond in a timely manner.
She also said that once you RSVP, you've made a commitment that you shouldn't back out on.
It's best not to rush out the door at a corporate holiday party.
Gottsman told BI that leaving too early can make it look like you're eager to get out, which doesn't leave a great impression.
"If you get there and you leave 20 minutes later, people are going to notice," she said.
However, Gottsman also said you shouldn't overstay your welcome. For instance, she told BI that if the event ends at 9 o'clock, you've stayed too long if you're still there at 9:30 or 9:45.
If you'd like to continue interacting with your coworkers, she recommends leaving at the appropriate time and taking the party somewhere else.
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When attending a holiday party, use the opportunity to build on existing relationships and meet new people, such as clients, vendors, or others in the company you don't know well.
"You shouldn't be sitting," Gottsman told BI. "You should be mixing and mingling unless you're eating. But if you are seated and someone walks up to you, you always want to stand for an introduction."
Additionally, if the event has name tags, make sure to grab one.
"Name tags are memory tools. They go on the right side of your shoulder to follow the line of sight of a handshake," Gottsman added.
