Are
there limits beyond which we would consider harmful in the process of having
fun with our bosses and colleagues? Should we not drop all guards when out on
team building activities and just have fun as we would in the company of other
friends? This is a critical concern many employees seem to have as they prepare
for the office team building retreats.
It is
midyear and companies are reviewing the progress of their organizational plans
over the last 6 months. This process often takes place out of the office in the
form of retreats or dinners to reflect and celebrate the achievements as they
plan for the second half of the year. And this ushers in the party season for
most of the workplaces. How can we best have fun with our colleagues and bosses
while at the same time ensuring we appreciate and respect the power relations
within the workplace?
This
was a dilemma that Francisca faced six months during the Christmas break party
at her former employer. She feels like she had gone overboard and that could
have resulted in her dismissal a few months later. She had accompanied her
workmates to the beach party at the close of the year and as had been suggested
by the management team, she put all protocol behind her and decided it was time
to party and have fun, celebrating great strides made by her department
throughout that year.
As she
prepared for the party, she had shopped for her most desired party dress and
true to her judgment, most of the workmates informed her about how ‘hot’ she
looked. She however noticed that a few of the staff appeared shocked at seeing
her dressed in the way she was. They had all along known her as a relatively
conservative staff and could not relate the Francisca they were seeing at the
party with the one sitting behind the accounts desk. It was truly a shocker for
all.
As the
meals were served, she appeared too conscious of her weight and hence went for
the smallest of the plates and served a portion that could hardly pass for a
serious dinner. When the time came for the wine to be served, she generously
served herself and in a matter of minutes, she started talking to everyone on
the table as though they were her younger brothers and sisters. She got into a joke-making
mood and some of them were squarely targeted at her bosses and as the team ate
the night away, some of the bosses were getting more and more uncomfortable
with her talk and decided to move to other distant tables. Francisca had lost
her person and was uttering words least expected from such a finesse woman.
Parting
with your boss is one of the most important occasions for workplace
teambuilding. It presents an opportunity for the team to interact with each
other away from the confines of the office environment. This enables staff to
know each other more and provides an opportunity to share ideas not easily
available on the normal days.
It is
however important to note that even with the expanded and free space during
office parties, some level of protocol and respect is still expected of
everyone in attendance. The boss still remains the head of the unit and should
be accorded their appropriate respect regardless of the games and dining. You
will want to consider using appropriate language when dealing with the persons
at the party as they remain the same people you meet at work.
As
people get overcome by the power of the pleasure during parties, there is
always a tendency to utter words that may easily jeopardize your chances of
growing within the organization. A friend once indicated their dissatisfaction
with their job while under the influence of alcohol at an office function and
as a result, the contract was not renewed when the time came for the
performance appraisal. Although no reference was made to the comment made at
the party, other colleagues indicated it could have been informed by the talk
at the office party.
And so, the next time you go out partying, party as much
you like but within the confines of decorum and respect for others.
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