• Store
• Free Stuff

You are welcome and encouraged to reprint any of our many articles featured below in your publications for free, as long as you include biographical and contact information.

To use any of our content for free, please use this bio:

Copyright, Marsha D. Egan, CPCU, PCC, CEO of The Egan Group, Inc., http://inboxdetox.com . Marsha is a certified executive coach and professional speaker, specializing in leadership development and workplace productivity. You can reach her at marsha@ marshaegan.com

Marsha Egan -- Workplace Productivity Coach and E-mail Expert
is listed at ExpertClick.com

It's Clean Out Your Inbox Week!

Join the world in emptying your cluttered inbox, and getting others in your work group to do the same! Click here for tips and resources.

Free online assessment of your emailing practices:

20 quick questions about incoming, 20 about outgoing, with productivity tips based on your score. Take it today, learn some new tips, and share it with your friends!

Bosses: Is your email culture helping or hurting you?

To receive our free 6 page white paper on how to manage your email culture, so that it works for you - Click here!

Receive our Email Tips

Join 20,000 subscribers to our bi-weekly e-tips helping you take control of your inbox, and your life!

Sure, everyone loves a party. But in the business world, these seemingly innocent gatherings can be a recipe for disaster. It's critical to know the proper business etiquette during a work or business-related party.

Here are seven important areas to keep in mind:

1) Parties are a good time for distributing office gifts

If you are the boss or upper management, the office holiday party is a good time to give holiday gifts to employees. Just remember: If you want to recognize a specific employee with a special gift, be discreet. The same applies for gifts exchanged between coworkers. This will avoid jealousy issues with workers who may feel short changed.

2) Clothing counts

Even though it's a party, remember that your choice of clothing should be suitable for a normal work setting. Women should avoid tight-fitting clothing, short skirts and low-cut tops. Men shouldn't wear jeans with holes in them or keep their shirts unbuttoned more than one or two buttons. If the party is held "off site," you can be more festive - however it still needs to be appropriate. It is still a business event. This goes for dates and significant others that you bring to the event. You are still being judged by the company you keep.

3) Grooming guidelines

The rules of proper grooming also apply when attending a holiday party at work. Sure, you can "let your hair down" a bit and relax. But now's not the time to experiment with a drastic new 'do. And men shouldn't arrive with a 5 o'clock stubble. Go easy with the perfume and aftershave.

4) Be aware of your alcohol intake

Watch what you drink. No one likes a drunk - and getting intoxicated with coworkers, and possibly your boss around, is not a good idea. If you don't drink, but the boss wants to propose a toast …grab a glass of ginger ale.

5) Work can wait

Unless it absolutely can't wait until the next business day, don't talk about work issues during a holiday office party. Remember, this is a time to relax and have fun - not conduct business. Sometimes, however, the boss may have a brief agenda before launching into the festivities. Go with the flow.

6) Don't feed the rumor mill

If there is dancing be sure to mix. Don't spend all of your time with one person - it's the best way to avoid office gossip the next day.

7) Remember your manners and common sense

Just because you notice mistletoe hanging doesn't give you permission to grab people standing under it and kiss them.

Even though there are some basic etiquette rules to follow, don't forget the purpose of an office holiday party is to have fun. So enjoy yourself, but remember, it's still an office party.