SWNYOFFICE By Zoya Gervis
New York office - 646-873-7565 / usnews@swns.com
NEWS COPY - WITH VIDEO & INFOGRAPHIC
One in three office workers has done something they regret at a holiday party - according to new research.
A study profiling the typical office holiday party found drama and gossip are never far from the festive celebrations - two in five have experienced some big office drama or seen juicy revelations emerge at the office holiday party.
For those currently selecting their Secret Santa gifts or preparing for the annual festive celebrations at work, the results may be worth paying attention as the average office worker will experience a lot at their holiday party this year.
According to the study of 2,000 office workers, conducted by OnePoll in conjunction with Evite, the average person will find out seven pieces of gossip about colleagues they didn't previously know when attending a holiday party.
And there will be photographic evidence - workers will typically have to pose or take part in six different group photos on average.
While those mistletoe moments aren't just limited to the screen. Office will always spur romance rumors - and 37 percent of those studied have witnessed an office hookup at a holiday party in the past.
All the same, results found 75 percent eagerly look forward to their office holiday party this year.
In fact, the biggest thing office workers are looking forward to when it comes to their office holiday party is socializing with their coworkers (60 percent).
For those seemingly ‘quiet’ coworkers, the office party is their time to shine. Results showed that 35 percent of office workers polled have witnessed a bashful and reserved colleague become the life and soul of the holiday party.
Turns out, office workers aren’t too big on flaking on the office holiday party. Missing a work holiday party is something that 27 percent of office workers have never done.
Julian Clark, Evite's In-House Party Specialist, stated: “Anything can happen at an office holiday party, which is why it’s no surprise that the majority of employees look forward to it every year. A great party starts with a good number of guests, so to ensure the highest RSVP rate, get that invitation out early! Don’t forget, the holidays are an especially busy time of year. Sending your invitation or a save-the-date at least 3 weeks before the big event gives people plenty of time to make arrangements like getting a sitter for the night or taking time off a second job.”
So much goes down at an office holiday party that timing makes all the difference. Based on the research, Friday night is officially the best time to have an office holiday party.
However, when the boss decides to have an office holiday party during the week, making office workers show up to work the next day, 55 percent agree that bosses should let them come in later the next day.
In fact, 35 percent have shown up late to the office the day following their office holiday party- with another 17 percent not even bothering to show up at all.
Clark added: “One thing you can always look forward to the next morning is seeing those moments caught on camera from the night before. But as the results tell us, sometimes the party can slightly get out of hand. An online invitation service like Evite’s Annual Premium Pass offers office managers a private event and photo feed, for guests only — and they can use it to organize fun events all year round. Office socials are such a memorable way to bring employees closer together, so get out there and party already.”
