Holiday Company Party Do’s for Diverse Professionals
By EmployDiversity
Enjoy the occasion, but maintain your dignity and integrity
No matter your diverse background, It’s easy to get swept up in the spirit of the season. The sense of warmth and camaraderie are seductive. Typically, the pace of work slows down, as well. Company holiday parties offer an opportunity to relax and get to know your coworkers in ways that are difficult during the hectic formality of a regular working day. Despite the overall sense of bonhomie that company holiday parties, though, It’s a good idea to put mental guardrails up to avoid overstepping boundaries -- yours and others.
Keep discussions about religion, race, and gender on an academic level
You should keep conversations about religion, race, and gender on an academic level. Politely answer questions you feel are born of genuine interest in learning more about you or your experience. And do the same if you are the interested party. If the discussion begins to turn negative or derogatory, however, excuse yourself from the conversation.
Disassociate yourself from offensive people
During working hours, teammates may be curious about your background, beliefs, and experiences. However, the formality of the workplace may prohibit them from engaging you further about your experience or beliefs. It’s wonderful to be the object of wholesome interest. Some people, though, are looking for information they can take out of context to fill in the blanks of their antagonistic world view.
Conversely, avoid be belligerent yourself. If you feel you’ve been put on the defensive or want to put others on their guard, then choose a more appropriate venue than the company party at which to air your grievances. If you feel you’ve been unfairly or systematically maligned at work, bring the topic up in a professional context in which the complaint is formally filed. The holiday party is a time to relax formalities, not relax your integrity.
Take a deep breath
If you feel someone at the company party is unfairly targeting you because of your diverse background, take a deep breath. Literally. Several, if needs be. Some people are unaware of the impression they leave on others. They may have little contact or experience with individuals from other countries, religions, or ethnicities.
Many males may not have learned what is appropriate behavior during interactions with women. So, while it is important to have fun at company holiday parties, it is also important to remain aware of your surroundings and tuned in to the intentions of the other party-goers.
Limit your alcohol intake
Increasingly, company holiday parties are not offering alcoholic beverages. Hosts have learned that while alcohol can relax social anxieties, it can also erode civility. However, some party-goers may indulge in a bit of drink before the party. If you sense this is the case, remain cordial, but keep some physical and emotional distance between you and them.
If the host has stocked a bar with alcohol, remain conscious of how much you drink. Try to keep it to a minimum: just enough to reduce any anxieties you may have while not inhibiting your judgment. Or, you can simply go with a non-alcoholic beverage, which is the sensible path when mixing with a large group.
Ultimately, the best way to enjoy yourself and your coworkers at a company party is to remain fully engaged and aware of the moment and the people defining occasion.
