Bad Santa Syndrome: These 10 Mistakes At The Office Holiday Party Could Get You Fired

Bad judgment at the holidays could cost you your job, according to a recent report from Price4Limo, an event transportation company. With many tech companies (and others) mandating a return to the office, that means an increase in co-worker interaction this holiday season. In a new survey from Gensler, employees said the top reason they come to the office is “to focus on my work”. But sometimes, at the company party, that focus can shift to a friendlier, looser place - and create a challenge for your career. Here’s what you need to know, and do, to make sure that you don’t make a Bad Santa move this holiday season.

Since March 2022, rising vaccination rates have provided many companies the option to open their doors to formerly remote workers. With more people returning to the office, hybrid work – a combination of remote and in-person employment – has become the most popular work arrangement in the U.S. While this transition means in-person meetings and collaboration are normal again, it also means that keeping it cool at the office party is a big part of work/life balance.

Based on responses from 1,000 corporate employees who’ve attended a company party in the last year, here’s how people are embarrassing themselves at these events and what repercussions they've faced in the aftermath.

The Naughty List: These Behaviors Could Get You Fired

Note that 43% of respondents said that consuming alcohol was necessary to make office parties bearable. And 21% said that both alcohol and drugs were necessary. It goes without saying that adding loudmouth soup (or something stronger) to your holiday activities can increase your chances of doing something you may regret. Somewhere in between bearable and enjoyable are the behaviors that will allow you to appreciate your co-workers - and keep your job. Here are the top 10 behaviors that get employees fired, according to the survey. Which ones do you need to take off of your Christmas list?

1. Dancing with a coworker
2. Flashing someone (news flash: 12% of respondents say they’ve done this)
3. Kissing a client
4. Making inappropriate jokes
5. Kissing a coworker
6. Flirting with your boss
7. Hooking up with a client
8. Dancing with a client
9. Flirting with a coworker
10. Tripping on LSD or other hallucinogens

What Employees Really Want

Nearly half of corporate Americans (44%) would like parties to be exclusive to fellow employees. Only 1 in 5 would extend an invitation to clients, and about the same number would also include family members. Gen Z was the most likely to think an office party should be limited to only employees and staff (50%), while millennials were the most likely to think their whole family should be invited (21%).

As for office party activities, over half of corporate Americans (51%) wanted a dance party. Some employees were ready to dress the part: 12% said they would wear clubbing or "going out" clothes to their office party. Other favorite activities included low-key options like gift exchanges (44%), movie nights (42%), comedy nights (41%), and board games (39%). Employees also thought the best reason to have a party was for the company's anniversary (68%), followed by the winter holidays (51%).

Group work trips are another great way to foster bonding at work. But when pitted against the traditional office party, one clear winner emerged: Most corporate Americans preferred a party (55%), and 12% weren't interested in group trips at all. A single night with the team might be more appealing and doable for employees than a multiple-day trip, like a corporate retreat. However, remote workers were the most likely to opt for a group trip: only 5% said they weren't interested.

Best Office Party Activities: Survey Results

Here are the top 10 Office Party ideas, with the percentage of respondents in favor:

1. Dancing - 51%
2. Gift Exchange - 44%
3. Movie night - 42%
4. Comedy night - 41%
5. Board games - 39%
6. Bowling - 37%
7. Trivia - 32%
8. Karaoke - 32%
9. Escape Room - 32%
10. Potluck - 30%

Guidance for the Holiday Season

There’s nothing wrong with dancing, or drinking, or celebrating the holidays with co-workers. Just like there’s nothing wrong with eating pizza. But moderation is the moral, in every case. After all, eating pizza for breakfast, lunch and dinner isn’t something that your doctor or your digestive system would recommend. So too we must remember to pump the brakes when it comes to office interaction at the holiday party. Self-leadership means self-control, and maintaining good social etiquette.

Here’s why: social interaction can have a good side. In the survey, 60% of respondents improved relations with a co-worker, and 10% report receiving a promotion, after a successful holiday party.

There’s pressure on bosses this year, to throw a good office party. The pains and disconnection of the pandemic are making it more important than ever for folks to reconnect, and re-engage. The holiday party is a great place to strengthen relationships and build good team dynamics. Holiday parties are a chance to be real - to let off some steam, share a drink or two, dance it out, and see people in a new and festive context. Just make sure that what your colleagues see isn’t a side of you that makes them rethink how you fit into the organization. You can be real, and really have fun, without crossing a line. Maybe self-restraint is something we all need from Santa this year?