WOMEN PUT CAREERS IN JEOPARDY BY GETTING DRUNK AT OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTIES

New research shows most women plan to get drunk at their office Christmas party this year, although 25 per cent admit excessive alcohol consumption on company social occasions has had a detrimental effect on their career in the past.

The research, conducted by independent recruitment agency Pertemps, found that 48 per cent of women will drink excessive amounts of alcohol at their office party, compared to 24 per cent of men.

One quarter of women admitted that getting drunk had a detrimental effect on their career. Of that figure, 28 per cent felt they could not continue in their job, 17 per cent were given a warning by their boss and three per cent had lost their job.

Eight per cent of men said they would not drink at this year’s Christmas party, compared to no women. Only ten per cent of females polled said they would drink a small amount, supporting recent Government findings that many women are binge drinkers.

Booze has caused 63 per cent of women to embarrass themselves at works parties, compared to one third of men (36 per cent). Twenty seven per cent of women admitted to kissing a colleague, 19 per cent had been rude to their boss, 14 per cent had been sick and 10 per cent had stripped to their underwear. In Bridget Jones’ style eight per cent confessed to getting their skirt stuck in their knickers.

Embarrassing mistakes made by men were falling over (42 per cent), falling asleep (17 per cent), and making a pass at someone (14 per cent).

The majority of companies (75 per cent) will have a Christmas party this year. The primary reason for not having a work bash is lack of funds (28 per cent). Only five per cent of staff will not go to the party but 33 per cent attend because they are expected to, or because they feel pressured by senior staff.

Free food and dancing are the main reasons staff will attend the party (45 per cent), followed by socialising with colleagues (25 per cent) and being able to let their hair down (17 per cent). Fifteen per cent hate having to socialise with colleagues they do not like, 18 per cent feel obliged to behave themselves and 21 per cent dread going to work the next day.

Tim Watts, Pertemps Chairman, says: “Drinking at office parties can be fun but staff must be careful not to take their celebrations too far. At these kind of events, there is a fine line between having a great time and offending people who could influence your career.

“Enjoy yourself, but before you get tempted to have one drink too many, imagine how colleagues are likely to react and how you will face them the next day.”