Lifestyles

Avoiding A Shameful Monday

Posted: 1/7/2012

A glimpse at other people's horrible bosses may help you better appreciate your own.

(NAPSI)—The great American get-together known as the office party can be a pleasant evening with co-workers or the first step toward a pink slip. Whether it's the annual holiday party or the forced fun of summer "team building," even the slightest misstep can create a ripple effect that will have your co-workers pointing and whispering whenever you appear. Fortunately, following these tips can steer you in the right direction and spare you a dire professional fate.

DO: Arrive in attire that is appropriate for the occasion. Although dress codes vary from industry to industry, assume that no one wants your cutoff shorts at the cash bar. Conversely, if you wear an uncalled-for tuxedo or formal gown just to send a message to co-workers, mission accomplished: You appear creepy.

DO NOT: Drink too much throughout the course of the party. One question to avoid asking is "Shots?" If you succumb, hopefully, you're sober enough to update your résumé before bedtime.

DO: Stay for at least an hour. You may think you have more important things to do, but you should know that's not true. Alternately, do not overstay your welcome. Just because there was no end time listed on the invitation, it doesn't excuse your overnight bag.

DO NOT: Talk about work unless absolutely unavoidable. While enjoying tiny crab cakes and cheap vodka, no one wants to hear about the staggering amount of research that you're doing on the Coopersmith file.

DO: Be sure to chat up the bosses by telling them how much you love your job, how you respect their accomplishments and other things of this nature. If nothing else, it will give them the idea that they are hip and relatable.

Once you've learned to navigate your own company party, you can get a taste of the workplace at its hilarious worst, when you check out Warner Bros' "Horrible Bosses," now available on Blu-ray disc and DVD.

In the film, Nick has been slaving away under his twisted supervisor only to find out there's no promotion in sight. Meanwhile, dental assistant Dale struggles to resist the overt advances of his boss, and accountant Kurt has just learned that his company's depraved new owner is bent on environmental destruction. Trying to save their jobs and their sanity, the three friends hatch a plan to off their bosses.

With an all-star cast led by Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis, Jennifer Aniston and Colin Farrell, "Horrible Bosses" is likely to make viewers appreciate much more the daily antics of their own office life.