Drinking at a work event, a do or a don't?

 

Have you ever been to a work event where someone got smashed? Yes… smashed.  The person in question takes a drunken stumble right in front of their company president or they say something extremely inappropriate like a sexual innuendo? Needless to say, actions like these do not leave a good impression in the workplace.

Drink? Don’t drink? That seems to be a question on everyone’s mind when they attend a work event.  No matter if the occasion is an after work happy hour, a business lunch with clients, the company holiday party or a networking event, alcohol is quite often an option.  Decide if you are going to drink and how much before you attend the event.

While many people feel having a drink or two at an event is appropriate, be mindful that you do not want to wake up the next morning and be “The ONE” everyone is talking about at the water cooler.   Think before you drink, and take some factors into consideration before imbibing at your next company event. One too many can lead to a career setback.

• What is your company culture? Is there a drinking policy established? At your first company event, take notice of those around you and their drinking behavior? Are colleagues who are successful and respected having drinks? If so, you are probably safe in having a drink or two.
   
• Know your own limits.  Be aware of the effect that alcohol has on your body.  Do you get yappy after one drink? Do you stumble or slur your words after a second drink?  Would a third drink make you silly? Does drinking a beer affect you differently than vodka?  Know how you react and make your drinking decision based on that. The last thing you want to do is make a fool of yourself in front of your boss or a client.
   
• If the event makes you nervous or uncomfortable, don’t drink.  If you are asking yourself why do some people drink to excess at parties when their judgment knows better?  Many times when people are in uncomfortable situations they turn to alcohol to help defuse the anxiety they are feeling. 
   
• Don’t go drink for drink with senior managers.  While you should take your lead from management about the culture of drinking at your company, don’t try to match the boss drink for drink.  Have a club soda with a lime instead. No one will guess you are having a non alcoholic beverage.

Consider how having too much to drink could affect your relationships with your co-workers, your reputation, your management's opinion of you and the water cooler talk. Think twice before you down your next drink at a work event.