By Harvey Mackay
Bad behavior is everywhere, as I discovered from responses to a recent column on people who don’t bother to RSVP to invitations. And the tolerance level for poor manners and rudeness is declining, as people who should know better continue to use bad judgment.
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But if there is ever a time when people can make or break a career with their deportment, it is the company holiday party. I’ve seen vice presidents reduced to unemployment because of an offhand remark or a stupid action, and I’ve seen budding geniuses checking the want ads after trying to prove how much liquor they could handle.
Let me be very clear: I love this time of year. Morale is good; people are happy and excited as the holidays approach. I wish we could maintain this spirit all year long.
As this is the beginning of what should be a happy season, let me remind you that your company holiday party is still part of your work life – no matter what the invitation says.
Watch the news in any given week, and you will see yet another story about some celebrity who thought his or her ability to drive wouldn’t be affected by one more for the road. Listen to the lame excuses, and you’ll wonder who gave these folks a driver’s license.
For employees who want to keep their jobs and their self-respect, it is important to know their own limits.
For employers who want to keep their employees safe, and give them a little help along the way, I have some advice:
Schedule parties on a weeknight, when employees may be less inclined to overdo. Or consider a festive luncheon, when people would be likely to drink less.
Provide safe transportation home for people who shouldn’t have their car keys.
Serve plenty of food, particularly things that slow the absorption of alcohol, and arrange for great entertainment.
Hire professional bartenders, not volunteer employees, to make sure drinks are not overpoured and intoxicated guests are not served.
Keep an eye on underage employees, who can have plenty of fun without breaking the law.
Allow employees to bring a guest, to reduce the risk of inappropriate behavior between co-workers.
Set a policy of no outside drinks allowed, and arrange for security to enforce the rules.
Close the bar an hour before the party is scheduled to end.
Remind senior management their role is to model good behavior, and still have a great time.
Sound like Scrooge? Only if the goal of the party is to get as plastered and outrageous as possible. That doesn’t sound like much of a holiday treat to me.
I’ve traveled to Japan several times and seen how adults enjoy their sake. I know of several businesses that try to “overserve” potential business partners, to see how they will act.
But you still have the ability to level the playing field, by remembering that only you are forcing those drinks down your throat.
There’s a story about an executive who woke up with a huge hangover after attending his company’s holiday party. Jack was not normally a drinker, but the drinks didn’t taste like alcohol. The next morning, he had to force himself to open his eyes.
The first thing he saw was a couple of aspirins on the side table, next to a glass of water. And, next to them, a single red rose!
Jack looked around the room and saw that it was in perfect order, spotlessly clean. Then he spotted a note on the corner of the mirror, telling him breakfast was on the stove. He stumbled to the kitchen and sure enough, there was his breakfast, his coffee and the morning newspaper – and his son.
Jack asked his son, “What happened last night?”
“Well, you came home after 3 a.m., drunk and out of your mind. You fell over the coffee table and broke it, and then you got sick in the hallway.”
Confused, Jack asked, “So, why is everything so nice this morning? Isn’t Mom furious with me?”
His son replied, “Mom dragged you to the bedroom, and when she tried to take off your clothes, you screamed, ‘Leave me alone, lady, I’m married!’ ”
Saying the right thing at the right time can be priceless … but don’t take the chance!
I hope all your holidays are safe and happy!
Mackay’s Moral: Strong drink can weaken character.
Harvey Mackay is author of the New York Times bestseller “Pushing the Envelope.” He can be reached through his Web site, www.mackay.com, or at Mackay Envelope Corp., 2100 Elm St., Minneapolis, MN 55414.
