More than 750 advertising and marketing executives recently shared the wackiest office party behavior they have witnessed, including the following:
- An employee was caught going through co-workers' desks.
- All of the bosses wore boxer briefs to a company event.
- Someone sported all red at a black and white affair.
- A person rode naked on a Ferris wheel.
- One co-worker came to a party with a bag of Tupperware so she could pack up leftovers.
- A person left an event wearing someone else's shoes.
- A couple of co-workers competed on the dance floor to see who had the best moves, and the dance-off turned into a fistfight.
While company parties are supposed to be for fun and socializing, they are business functions, and you don't want to give your employer a reason to doubt your judgment by behaving questionably, says Donna Farrugia, executive director of The Creative Group.
It might be helpful to do some planning in advance—for example, look at the event's attendee list so you know who will be at the party. "Apply the skills you use in the workplace to your behavior at a work party," Farrugia adds. "Get there on time, don't eat and run, and play well with your co-workers. Show your company that you're a good team player. This is about face time with people, so put your phone on silent and be fully present at the party."
