Emerging CPAs

Being the Office Lush Can Turn Your Professional Reputation to Slush

Sobering advice on drinking at work functions

Workplaces, especially an office with a young staff, can be extremely social places, and you don’t want to be out of that loop. These social settings are the perfect time to get to know each other and get in good with the boss, but be careful with how much you indulge.

Drinking with the boss can be easy, but you have to know what you’re doing.

One is the Magic Number
Your best bet is to keep your drink to one. Nursing your cocktail will allow you to be in on the excitement without getting sloppy.

Some critics argue that zero is the magic number of cocktails you should have, but in some office cultures that’s considered rude. To know if that’s so in your office, follow the boss’s lead – or other upper management if the boss is absent. Just because the boss isn’t there doesn’t mean your behavior won’t get back to him or her if it’s less than stellar.

Take Cues from Your Fellow Imbibers
If your boss orders a cocktail, feel free to do the same. You might end up feeling uncomfortable if you order first and end up the lone drinker at the table. If the server comes to you first, a simple, “I need another minute to decide,” will force everyone else to go before you, so you can simply follow their lead.

Your Drink Says a Lot about You
Be careful what you order. Your beverage says more about you than you may think. Do you want to be remembered as the one with a giant pink slushy topped off with a mile-high fruit salad and umbrella?

You want to appear professional and sophisticated. Splurge a little, and order a top-shelf liquor if that is what your boss or host is doing. A cheap liquor choice may make you seem cheap. Be careful: a cocktail that’s too fancy may make you seem frivolous. A good rule of thumb is that if it comes with an umbrella, it’s probably over the top. Keep it simple yet sophisticated. If you aren’t sure, stick with a glass of wine.

Let the Others Get Lit
No matter how slow you go, your cocktail will disappear. If your boss orders another round, be careful. Following the pack in this instance may be a bad idea. Just because your colleagues go for another round, doesn’t mean you should. Think about the message you want to send and what message your actions may be sending.

Business reputations break, they do not bounce. Send the right message and don’t pounce on that second round. Stick to one.