Should You Apologise After an Office Party Mishap?

Office parties are meant to be a chance to relax and celebrate, but things don’t always go according to plan. If you’ve crossed a line—or even feel like you’ve leapt over it—at a work event, the thought of returning to the office after the holidays can be stressful. An embarrassing moment or poor decision at an office party can quickly turn post-holiday excitement into anxiety. So, what do you do if you have made an office party mistake and need to return to the workplace? How do you  manage workplace embarrassment and return to work feeling confident? These are some common office party mistakes and some suggestions on how to manage these awkward situations.

Drinking Too Much at an Office Party

Over indulging at an office party is commonplace, and if you have drank too much alcohol, you are not alone. If the worst thing you did at your office party is to drink too much, you need not worry. Although it is best to try and keep your drinks to a minimum when out with colleagues, you are entitled to do want you want, including letting loose if you wish. Filling yourself with anxiety about it is not going to help. Take it on the chin and promise yourself you’ll try to keep it to the minimum the next time. As long as you are professional at work, it should not matter if you had one too many during an office party.

Overfriendly with Colleagues or Clients

It is no surprise that a lot of flirting happens at office parties, even more than this in many cases. There is nothing wrong with engaging in romantic activity with colleagues or clients, as long as it is consenting and it will not cause any harm to anyone. If you have been overfriendly at an office party, you may be stressing about it, however, there is not much you can do. It is best not to discuss these things with your colleagues when you do return to the workplace. If you are asked about the situation and have a reason to apologise, then by all means do so. Otherwise, keep any personal situations to yourself, as these things are not for the workplace. You may be asked to explain office party conduct with clients, if it goes against your contract or office party behaviour with colleagues that may have been unwarranted. In this case, explain your situation and apologise where necessary.

Inappropriate Jokes or Comments

“Loose lips sink ships” is a phrase that often proves true at office parties. When alcohol is involved, people can easily let their guard down, and this is when inappropriate jokes or comments are most likely to be made. What may have seemed harmless at the time can later cause embarrassment, concern, or even workplace tension. You may be feeling hot and bothered every time you think about it - or you may not even remember exactly what you have said!

If you made inappropriate comments or jokes at an office party, it’s completely normal to feel anxious about returning to work. In this case, it is best to try and reach out to anyone that may have been adversely affected by the comments, and apologise. You can’t take the comments back, but an apology is bound to be appreciated. Everyone makes mistakes from time to time but taking responsibility shows maturity. If you are not quite sure what you said, then you might want to reach out to someone you trust, so you know what to expect when you return to the workplace.

Stay Professional

The best way to recover from office party mishaps is by being your most professional when you do return to the workplace. As long as nothing serious has happened, these things will usually blow over fairly quickly. The best course of action is to be professional and don’t let it adversely affect your job or future career. Office party mistakes at work are common, so maintaining workplace professionalism is the best way to deal with these situations.

If you have crossed the line at an office party and there is no chance of career recovery after office party, you might want to find a new job. At Inspired CVs, we provide both traditional and graphically designed CVs to help you overcome the embarrassment of an office party and find your next role. Contact us today to find out more or order your CV here.