Top tips for office workers during the festive season
The festive season is great fun – but it brings peculiar hazards for the office worker
There’s the age-old challenge of negotiating the office party without any major faux-pas, not to mention the pressure of confining your frantic Christmas shopping to a one-hour lunch break. And sometimes just getting to work is difficult at this time of year, as plummeting temperatures, ice and snow affect the daily commute.
Here are a few helpful tips to help you survive and thrive during the merry month of December:
- Forget wearing heels to work – you’re going to be negotiating icy pavements and rushing at breakneck speed to the shops and back. Of course, you could try to do all of your shopping online, but if so, don’t be tempted to accept a festive tipple while you click. Research has shown that people overspend and buy very quirky items while under the influence of alcohol.
- Beware of using work computers for online Christmas shopping – you might be putting your employer at increased risk of viral internet attacks if you click on dubious links while browsing. It’s far better to use your personal mobile device – and remember to use secure sites for all your online shopping
- Approach the office party with caution – have fun and unwind a little, but DON’T drink too much. You might make silly comments, flirt inappropriately, or worse! Don’t forget, Big Brother is watching in the shape of your superiors! And don’t snog your boss unless he (or she) is drop-dead gorgeous and you plan to look for a new job early in the New Year.
- Remember to thank the person who organised your Christmas ‘do’. It’s hard work trying to keep everyone happy and making lots of party arrangements. You could maybe offer to help, or make some positive suggestions.
- Don’t let the winter chill affect your relationships at work. December can be a difficult month for getting to work in snowy and icy conditions and this can cause friction between employers and workers. Severe weather disruption can make it hard for people to get to work on time. It’s a great idea to be clear about what your company’s policy is on weather-related absence or lateness. Under British law, there’s no automatic right to get paid if extreme conditions stop you from working, but most bosses will try to find a workable solution, perhaps allowing staff to work from home. Employers should keep an eye on the weather forecast and allow staff to leave early if road conditions are becoming treacherous. With a little give and take, relationships can stay warm while the weather is cold!
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