Office Christmas parties have become notorious for excessive drinking and sometimes scandalous behaviour โ but how much of this is true? New research into employee behaviour at office Christmas parties has revealed how various sectors behave and also how much of this behaviour has made its way onto social media.
The survey of 1,000 UK employees, commissioned by online reputation management firm Igniyte and carried out by The Leadership Factor, found that:
โข Almost 30% have flirted with a work colleague at an office Christmas party
โข More than one in four have kissed a colleague at the festive work event
โข One in five fully expect theyโll do or say something embarrassing at this yearโs office Christmas party.
At past office Christmas parties, one in 10 UK employees have admitted drinking so much alcohol that they couldnโt turn up for work the next day.
Spotting an opportunity to get close to colleagues, one in 10 British workers are planning on telling a co-worker they like them at this yearโs festivities.
With one in five UK employees expecting to embarrass themselves this year, 15% have admitted that theyโre going to change their Facebook settings so that they have to approve a โtagโ in a status or a picture.
This is perhaps a good idea for the property sector โ with one in five property employees admitting that theyโve had an argument with their other half following a picture or status theyโve been tagged in on Facebook at an office Christmas party.
36% of marketing and advertising employees are on target to be the most well behaved at their party this year, stating theyโre going to drink much less alcohol than the year before to avoid embarrassment.
One in 10 property employees have received a written or verbal warning following their behaviour at an office Christmas party and a shocking 8% have even been fired.
The travel sector were found to be the most likely to be amorous at office Christmas parties โ with a massive 40% of employees admitting theyโve flirted with a work colleague and almost 42% admitting theyโve kissed a co-worker at the office Christmas party.
A worried 10% of travel employees arenโt even going to their work Christmas party this year because they donโt want to do something embarrassing.
An ashamed 14% of energy and utilities employees admitted they have been dumped by their other half following their behaviour at an office Christmas party, compared to just a 4% all-sector average.
A further 14% of energy & utilities employees are going to use the office Christmas party this year to confront a colleague or tell them they donโt like them.
With the festive party season coming up, employers are preparing for how to deal with inappropriate behaviour. Whilst the office party is likely to take place outside of work hours, with it being a work event โ work policies still apply. This guide advises employers on how to handle employee behaviour at work events and online.
