Drinks After Work: What Do You Do?

They call it Happy Hour. However, for some it is more stressful than happy especially if it

involves co-workers and your boss. It doesn’t seem to matter whether you are new on the job or have years of seniority, drinks after work will come up at one point and how you handle the situation will be remembered by all present. So what do you do? Here are some tips to help you get through the worries about what you should or should not say or do during drinks after work.

1 . Do Participate, When You Can

As much as many of us would rather just go home to get away from the pressure of on-the-job activities, there is value in socializing after work. If you never join the rest of the gang at the local watering hole you may end up being viewed as anything but a team player. This is why it is wise to join in when you can and when you can’t, you better have a good reason. Besides, meeting with co-workers away from the office setting can assist in team building, forging solid working relationships and offers networking opportunities.

2. After Business Hours Is Still Business

Here’s the tricky part for many. Drinks after work with friends are not the same as drinks after

work with co-workers or your boss. They will never be the same so this means you will have to conduct yourself differently in each setting. Consider the gathering with the crew from work as a casual business meeting and act accordingly. Also know that you are showing your social skills to those present so remember this and keep your consumption to a professional limit of two drinks, if you are drinking alcoholic beverages.

3. Happy Hour Does Not Always Mean Booze

If your main fear comes from how it may look if you don’t have a beer with the guys, remember that Happy Hour does not mean you have to drink something with alcohol in it. This is especially true if the setting is a business meeting with a bar or bar service. There is nothing wrong with not consuming alcohol at any gathering that includes co-workers or management. The fact that you are not seen with a drink always in your hand will improve your image, should you be aiming for that. Plus, it shows you have self-control and are focused on the purpose of the event.

4. Lead, Don’t Follow

In settings where you do decide to partake in the beverages present, don’t try to match the

volume consumed or type of drink that the boss has. In other words, pace yourself. Even if it

happens to be an open bar, resist the temptation to get in a few extras thinking that the company doesn’t give you much in the way of freebies anyway. Always stick to a professional level because regardless of what little you choose to drink, others around you will form an opinion of you either way. You’d much rather it be based on you drinking two beers than guzzling a few and chasing them with shots of hard liquor.

5. Think Before Saying Anything

Even if you are not drinking at all, chances are you will be in the minority during Happy Hour.

This is why you really need to be careful what you may say about various subjects that come up during the casual conversation. This includes keeping in mind that someone a few drinks into the night may hear what you say about that new corporate policy differently than the message you were trying to convey. The same goes for any kind of conversation where sharing your opinion on something – or someone – may bite you later. Just avoid those subjects at all costs.

6. Do Not Be The Extra Round Guy

Another tip about pacing and paying attention to the signals that will reveal themselves during after work drinks is to quit early. There is nothing wrong with having a couple of drinks and if the evening goes longer, switching to non-alcoholic beverages. This also means that if others around the table have hinted that they are done for the night that you do not encourage “one more round” suggestions or “one for the road.” Remember, this is not drinks with the buddies from school, these are people you work with and will see again the next morning.

7. Lunch May Be A Better Choice

If you happen to be a department head, choosing to bring the group together to celebrate a big deal or completion of a project is a good way to build team dynamics. However, if the group includes an intern or someone underage, you really need to be wise on what kind of celebration you organize. In this case a casual lunch would be far more appropriate than drinks after work.

The same goes for those staff members who may not consume alcohol for personal reasons. By being aware of these potential scenarios, you become a better team leader when you base decisions on these factors.

8. Don’t Forget To Eat

Heading straight from the office to the pub or bar may work for some people but it really is not wise to drink on an empty stomach. Even if you plan on just one quick drink with the department members, you have to remember that alcohol will be more potent if it’s all you’ve consumed today since lunch. If you insist on participating in the social get-together, prepare early by stocking your office desk with quick to grab and eat items like a granola bar or energy bar. You could also order something to munch on at the bar, but it would be rude not to share and really, you don’t want to be that guy, either.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to having drinks after work with either your boss or some co-workers it is smart to be careful rather than afraid to participate. Seek the positives that can come from such a setting while keeping yourself professional at all times. As tempting as it may be to not be around the people you work with daily after work, there are several benefits to doing so. You just have to pace yourself and be open to what may result from such a gathering.