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How does it look when you don't go to a company Christmas party?

S

steppinthrax

Diamond Member
I read in some places it looks like you are not a team player.

I read some articles that indicate the company party is really mandatory and it reflects poorly on evaluations.
 
Unless it's a positively huge party, not showing up will get noticed. It might not show up on your evaluation, but it definitely got noticed by management.
 
I would say it may depend on the size of the company. If it's a large company then you may not even be missed, if it's a smaller company where everybody knows each other then your absence might be remarked on.
 
Why are you attempting to avoid the party?

Social Anxiety?

Inability to control alcohol intake after first beverage, so you fear embarrassment?

Cute Admin Assistant that you bought that thoughtful gift for ended up banging Jason from Sales?




Booze, Xanax, and Cocaine will combine for a worry-free evening. Just do it.
 
None of the wait staff showed up to our Christmas party. I think it's time for a new team. Maybe the next ones will know their job.
 
why type of party, we had 2
one at work where we did lunch and a white elephant gift thing

i went to that

the other was at the dep heads house, i did not go to that, neither did my boss,

id go to an all company party, just because it would be interesting to see how they would get thousands of people in the same place and not have it be a disaster
 
Depends entirely on what reason you give for not being there. If you let the boss know well in advance that you have a prior engagement, a family thing that you don't want to miss, it should be fine.

If you offer a half-assed excuse, or just don't show, it will raise questions, at the very least.
 
I skipped mine last week, but I essentially told my current and previous managers that I don't want to be there, so whatever.

If you do give a shit, probably a good idea just to show up...
 
On a serious note, getting to interact with superiors in a social environment is an absolute "can't miss" opportunity for anyone in their 20s or 30s.

Right or wrong, managerial decisions often take into account factors other than performance. I have found myself doing it, and I know for a fact I have received treatment that is different than more experienced or tenured employees because I hit golf balls with the boss after work on a Friday.
 
Not "actively participating" in company events like that ends up disqualifying you for Employee of the Month running. The parties tend to be boisterous and loud.


Employee of the Month award's message to quiet introverts: Don't want to party? Fine, shut up and stay in the damn corner.
(EotM award isn't just a simple paper award - it carries with it a small monetary reward and some extra paid time off.)


But the parties are basically mandatory.




(I'll add that they do a decent job of setting up the parties and trying to make them enjoyable. It's just that not everyone likes being in a rowdy crowd. But no matter how many times they say, "But it's fun!" it just doesn't magically become true.)
 
Last edited:
Jeff7 said:
Not "actively participating" in company events like that ends up disqualifying you for Employee of the Month running. The parties tend to be boisterous and loud.


Employee of the Month award's message to quiet introverts: Don't want to party? Fine, shut up and stay in the damn corner.
(EotM award isn't just a simple paper award - it carries with it a small monetary reward and some extra paid time off.)


But the parties are basically mandatory.
Click to expand...

Introverts message to employers: Fuck this shit, I got a new job (2-weeks notice) 20K pay increase.

LOL
 
I have watched the quality of the christmas parties decline over the years at one company I worked at. First few years I worked there: party started at 4:00 PM with dinner in a rented hall complete with open bar and went on until 1-2 AM. Fun fun fun and complete with after party (non company sanctioned but put together by employees)

Next year, the party was still the same except they prevented us from bringing out significant others, limited to employees only.

Next year party was again limited to employees but no open bar, you got drink tickets good for 3 drinks per employee. We found where the executive assistant stashed the tickets and had ourselves a good time 😛

Last year of my employment the party had shrunk into an event only 3 hours long at a local bar with appetizers and a pay bar. Quite the downgrade. I simply declined the last party.
 
Go.

It's an invaluable and rare opportunity to network with your superiors AND boss' boss and beyond.

Don't be a typical INTJ noob. Even if you dread it, don't think of it as a party, but as a work challenge.

At the very least, go for an hour, chat up with everyone, shake some hands, then go home.
 
I never go to these things. On the other hand, my current employer doesn't do an xmas party, so it's all good.
 
Jeff7 said:
Not "actively participating" in company events like that ends up disqualifying you for Employee of the Month running. The parties tend to be boisterous and loud.


Employee of the Month award's message to quiet introverts: Don't want to party? Fine, shut up and stay in the damn corner.
(EotM award isn't just a simple paper award - it carries with it a small monetary reward and some extra paid time off.)


But the parties are basically mandatory.




(I'll add that they do a decent job of setting up the parties and trying to make them enjoyable. It's just that not everyone likes being in a rowdy crowd. But no matter how many times they say, "But it's fun!" it just doesn't magically become true.)
Click to expand...

guess its a good thing we don't have eotm awards
 
Anubis said:
guess its a good thing we don't have eotm awards
Click to expand...

We don't either, But he is partially correct. Unfortunately the person with the most intelligence/experience/education is not the one promoted in some workplaces (depends on culture).

And if during your exit interview, you look at them and say that, they will say "no that's not true we value all of our employees and promote based on the most qualified person"...
 
OCGuy said:
On a serious note, getting to interact with superiors in a social environment is an absolute "can't miss" opportunity for anyone in their 20s or 30s.

Right or wrong, managerial decisions often take into account factors other than performance. I have found myself doing it, and I know for a fact I have received treatment that is different than more experienced or tenured employees because I hit golf balls with the boss after work on a Friday.
Click to expand...


suck up! 😛
 
It is pathetic, but many companies take these things seriously and judge you if you don't go. My philosophy was that I'd attend an event if it were during business hours (last company had Xmas parties during the day) but if they were on my own time, I wouldn't go. One company had formal Christmas parties where you were expected to wear a suit or tux and I never went to crap like that.
 
steppinthrax said:
We don't either, But he is partially correct. Unfortunately the person with the most intelligence/experience/education is not the one promoted in some workplaces (depends on culture).

And if during your exit interview, you look at them and say that, they will say "no that's not true we value all of our employees and promote based on the most qualified person"...
Click to expand...

My last employer would promote the clueless idiots who sucked up and back stabbed over anyone else.
 
Kadarin said:
I never go to these things. On the other hand, my current employer doesn't do an xmas party, so it's all good.
Click to expand...

My employer stopped them 20+ years ago. They saw the potential legal liability of getting people liquored up at the office and then having them drive home, so they tried doing the party alcohol free. That lasted about 2 years as nobody went if they couldn't get free booze, so the party was canceled altogether.
 
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