Socialising with colleagues not a taboo
DO YOU hate socialising with your colleagues? How friendly can one be with their colleagues? Answers to these questions are not definitive in nature and the overall response of the individuals is divided for many believe that propriety demands that one's interaction with one's colleagues should be confined to the premises of workplace alone. It's high time to bid farewell to such archaic notions and start hanging out with your office buddies.
A survey conducted by the recruitment firm Pertemps reveals that one in every six workers have admitted that they don't have any friends at their workplace. In fact it is estimated that, that is the case with more than 50 per cent of the employees interviewed.
Some of the reasons given for not socialising with their colleagues are lack of time and energy after a hard day's work at office; too many responsibilities and external tasks that need to be handled by them that leave no place for socialising.
Research reveals that some of the employees (especially senior people) have shown reluctance towards mingling with their co-workers outside the office saying that once they are out of the workplace they don't want to be associated with anything or anybody from the office. Organisations are not so happy with this particular attitude of their employees for they believe that the stronger inter-personal relations among the employees are, the happier the work environment would be.
Age also apparently plays an important role in employees socialising with their colleagues. For instance, it is oberserved that when elderly employees are not that inclined towards socialising outside the office; young unmarried professionals of today can be seen hanging out together in groups even during the weekends for they feel friendly and comfortable with each other. The fact that most of them come from different parts of the country to work, leaves them with less number of friends to socialise in the city they are working. Hence they prefer socialising with their colleagues even outside the office.
Middle-aged executives view socialising with colleagues as an opportunity to increase their networking. While socialising one tends to meet more people and those contacts might come handy in future.
Corporate work culture gives rise to several situations where in employees, presence is non-verbally mandatory in the social gatherings (parties, outings) outside the office. Chances are likely that in the eventuality of failing to attend such events might brand you as a non-team player and might even create problems in collaborating during project work. Most of the professionals can be seen working through the night now a days, some of them prefer discussing their projects and planning for something new at those unearthly hours after the usual hours of work. As a team member your presence is required there though it might not be a part of your regular schedule.
If you fail to join them, you might feel alienated and it is likely to make you feel unhappy too when at work. In such situations it is advisable to make an appearance act (even if unwillingly) so as to escape the wrath of your boss and so as not to let it affect your work.
Companies usually expect their employees to participate in corporate retreats, training programmes, workshops and other kinds of promotional events conducted by them. Employees don't have a choice but to attend such events as it is obligatory.
Individuals should know about the kind of policies companies has and how teams work usually in that company during the interview itself. This will help you in knowing to what extent your company expects you to socialise and if it suits your nature or not.
Some dont's that should be kept in mind while socialising with colleagues outside the office are :
Avoid offensive remarks and jokes. You can crack them to your college buddies but not to your colleagues. Never say anything that might show you in poor light
Never ever criticise your management's functioning or your boss's decisions.
Maintain proper physical distance. However informal the gathering might appear physical intimacy is strictly unwelcome (unless it is a dance floor).
Avoid any substance that might induce intoxication.
Do not go running after your boss alone and don't confine yourself to your department alone, try mingling with everybody present there. Socialising with your colleagues and employees will make it easier for you to work with them. It will give you an opportunity to know them as individuals rather than as mere fellow employees. This will strengthen your relationship with them adding a new perspective to your knowledge about them.
Maintain etiquette and let those unofficial gatherings be a pleasant experience.
Get going now.
SANDHYA.U
faqs@cnkonline.com
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