‘Tis the season to be merry or so they say. Yes it’s Christmas and the corporate Christmas calendar has been well under way for a few weeks now.
Client parties, lunches with suppliers, days at the races, days at the polo and all leading into the staff party.
It sounds exciting to those in their corporate infancy, and I know i’m in danger of sounding like a grinch here, but excitement and zealousy in this environment can be downright dangerous.
A few drinks and the shy little receptionist who quivers at the sight of the portfolio manager on any regular day, is all of a sudden sipping tequilas and showing him/her how she can do the splits.
Not to say that senior management are excused from such moments of ill-considered actions. It will be Christmas parties like these that probably spark the most inappropriate and extra-marital relationships between colleagues and between bosses and their staff. All with far-reaching ramifications that are not at the top of our mind in that last two weeks of the corporate year.
I’m no preacher, whilst I understand the threat of too much of the liquid gold in these environments, I love it as much as the next person. I should point out though that not all the experiences i’ve touched on are related to me - I certainly have never at any stage had the ability to do the splits but I did see it happen.
I wish all of the corporate world a very happy and safe Christmas and just a word of warning - Perhaps you should lay off the shots at your staff Christmas party.
P.S. If you have any great stories to share please do by leaving a comment..You can always say it happened to a ‘friend’.