Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Etiquette Lessons for the Company Picnic


It’s summer and we’re finally enjoying those carefree days of warmth and sun we dreamed of while enduring one of the most brutal winters on record.
And with the increasing temps comes the surest sign of summer: An invitation to the office picnic.
Such events are often seen as a way to let your hair down and enjoy time away from the office, but they’re also a minefield of potential etiquette disasters that can derail your career.
If you’re going to be attending a summer office event, here are a few rules from etiquette experts:
  • Don’t ditch the event. Attending a get-together is as important to your career as attending a project meeting with your boss’s boss. You don’t have to stay all day, but show up early enough to help if necessary, bring a dish if requested and stay long enough to enjoy the meal and offer some chit-chat.
  • Limit drinking. It can often get hot at picnics or a sports event, but don’t fall into the trap of just having one more beer or margarita to cool off. It’s fine to a have a drink to be social, but then stick to soda or water so that you stay hydrated – and aren’t so drunk you end up doing the hula on the table.
  • Follow the rules. If the event if being held at the boss’s country club, for example, check beforehand to see if there are any regulations on what you can wear, and if you must turn off your cellphone when inside a clubhouse. Getting the boss fined by his or her club for a guest breaking the rules isn’t a great career move.
  • Prepare your significant other. Give your partner a heads up on proper attire. Let him or her know about the bosses or colleagues who will be attending so that small talk will go smoothly. Always make sure it’s OK to bring your kids beforehand. Only bring your dog if you’ve gotten a clear sign that others will be doing the same and Fido is well trained enough that he won’t piddle in the pool or bite anyone’s ankle.
  • Dress appropriately. If there’s going to be swimming and you plan to get in the pool, make sure you wear a suit that isn’t revealing. For women and men, that means no bikinis and a cover-up when lounging poolside. If you don’t plan to go swimming, still stay from revealing clothes – men can wear nice shorts with a casual shirt and women should stick to capris or sundresses and avoid short shorts. Also, if your company culture isn’t supportive of tattoos, wear clothing that will keep them covered.
  • Participate. Even if you’re not a great golfer or softball player, you should participate in activities and be a good sport about it. Supporting your team, having a good time and being enthusiastic can help you create some lasting bonds with colleagues and bosses. Sitting around looking bored or grumpy could hurt your work relationships and potentially hurt your ability to get ahead at work.
  • Remember to say “thank you.” Your spouse, your kids and you should all thank the boss or the organizers for the event. Don’t leave without offering your appreciation and offer to help clean up if you can.
(This post originally appeared on Intuit's Fast Track blog. See more career-related stories at: http://quickbase.intuit.com/blog/)

1 comment:

Scot Herrick said...

The picture alone is priceless.