How To Recover From An Office Christmas Party Mishap…

We’ve all been there – a little too much Christmas cheer at the office party, and then you spend the weekend filled with dread, worried about what will be said about your behaviour on Monday morning.

According to TikTok, there are 218.3 million posts under the search “Christmas party fails”, and studies have shown that 45% of people who have attended work Christmas parties have done something embarrassing or made a fool of themselves – and 9% have been disciplined, or even fired, for their antics.

So what do you do if you’re worried you messed up? Career expert Rob Phelps at AI Jobs explains how to recover from office party mishaps, to ensure you get to see the new year at the company! 

ASSESS THE DAMAGE

The first step is to take a breath, calm down, and work out exactly what happened. Was it a major mistake or a minor slip-up that can be laughed off? Drunken karaoke that ended up on social media, an awkward overshare to your boss, or an argument with a colleague? Consider your audience and who saw what may have happened, as that could determine the severity of the situation, and how you should react.

If you’re unsure what happened, check in with a co-worker who can give you an honest perspective; they might reassure you that you’ve got nothing to worry about, or gently let you know that you might owe someone an apology.

KEEP IT QUIET – BUT DON’T HIDE

Check the vibe when you return to the office. Pay attention to how your co-workers are treating you and gauge the impact of what happened – are they acting normal, or do you sense some awkwardness?

The more you bring up the incident, the more memorable it becomes to your colleagues, so keep a low profile and avoid drawing attention to yourself. This shows that you recognise your mistake, and avoids appearing that you’re trying overcompensate with forced enthusiasm. But if you suddenly start working from home more regularly to avoid colleagues, or don’t turn up to team meetings, it can show that you’re feeling shame and guilt, and have make the situation seem worse than it really was.

APOLOGISE (STRATEGICALLY)

If your behaviour did cross the line, the key is to apologise as soon as possible, sincerely and directly, to anyone involved. Take responsibility for your actions and acknowledge your mistakes, without making excuses that can make your apology seem defensive, and less genuine. Keep it short, and simple – “I’m sorry about my behaviour at the party; it was out of unprofessional, and I regret it.”, rather than, “I hadn’t eaten much that day and I drank too much.”

Avoid public apologies – unless necessary – and reach out directly to the person, or people, that were affected. Be specific, and apologise for what happened. If your behaviour had professional consequences, like someone making a formal complaint, talk to HR who will be able to offer some guidance, and help you navigate the situation.

TRY NOT TO DWELL

Try to separate facts from feelings – you might be overthinking things. Not every dodgy dance move or awkward comment is as memorable to other people as it is to you, and what feels mortifying to you might have already been forgotten by your colleagues; they may also be worried about their own behaviour! 

Once you’ve made your apologies and taken steps to rectify what happened, let it go. Everyone makes mistakes, and the key is to handle them gracefully, turning a potential disaster into a learning opportunity. Treat yourself with the same understanding and kindness you’re offer a colleague if they were in your position.

LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKE

Use your mistakes as an opportunity for learning and growth. Try to understand what led to what happened, to prevent it from happening again; recognise potential triggers or patterns, to highlight areas for personal growth – like improving your ability to manage emotions, improve communication, or simply setting alcohol consumption limits for yourself. Reflect on your actions, and allow yourself to grow from them.

WHAT NOT TO DO

• Less is more. Avoid overexplaining, as sometimes, saying too much can make things worse – making the issue seem bigger than it actually is, and make it seem like you’re trying to justify your behaviour rather than apologising.

• Don’t laugh it off if the situation really is serious. Humour might ease the tension, but trying to downplay with jokes won’t be appropriate if you caused real offense or disrupted the whole party for everyone, take it seriously and apologise sincerely.

• Don’t make excuses. Yes, you may have had too much to drink, but don’t make that your excuse. Keep it simple, and avoid trying to place blame on external factors like alcohol or stress.

TIPS TO AVOID AN OFFICE PARTY MISHAP

• Keep it professional. Yes, it’s a party – but remember, you’re still at work. Your actions can leave a lasting impression on your managers and co-workers, so think of it a chance to strengthen your professional relationships, rather than completely letting loose.

• Set limits. Don’t go crazy on the open bar; know your limits and stick to them -it’s for the best. Pace yourself, and drink plenty of water between drinks, and make sure you eat enough.

• Mind your manners. Avoid confrontations, passive aggressive comments, and sarcastic remarks. No matter how much you dislike Karen in Accounting, keep it respectful.

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