Work Nights Out...

CyberDave

I really don't like going to these things and generally opt out when asked if I will be attending. I'm just worried it may be affecting other employees or indeed managements perceptions of me, negatively. I prefer to go to work, do my job and go home. I see enough of my colleagues all week, besides having to hang out with them again on Friday evening, even if it is only once every couple of months. Do people think management may turn against me for not attending these events?

I am pie

Do management go? I generally avoid them. You can do more harm than good, A few stupid drunken comments can do a lot more damage than not showing up.

Whiskeyjack

It depends on how your workmates see you generally. If you're friendly and outgoing towards them and can have a conversation that isn't purely work related with them then it won't really matter. However if they see you as unfriendly not going out can make it worse.

Delancey

Just my own opinion , never attending these evenings can sometimes affect peoples perceptions of you. You can always attend the odd social and you don't even have to stay late , just ' fly the flag ' so to say.

Agree 100% that getting drunk and gobby can be a career killer.

juan.kerr

I usually go (for the free food) and head off around 10:30 / 11:00 before the heavy drinking starts.

Don't forget that the majority will be drunk so won't even rememeber whether you were there or not.

Mrs OBumble

Yes, it probably will affect management's perception of you, and this may be a problem if you want to get promoted.

I sometimes only attend for a hour. Work the room vigorously in that time: make sure that everyone who matter sees you, and have a friendly chat to as many as I can.

That said, sometimes socialising with colleagues can help you see them in a whole new light. There may be some friends who you haven't met yet.

Mr. Loverman

I think you should go, but only have one or two beers at most.

Who likes you is just as important as how competent you are...

jonnybangbang

I really don't think management would look negatively against you for not going unless its an official work do, in which your company is sponsoring and event or it was organised for networking. But if its just an after work drinks with fellow employees then i don't think its bad that you don't go.

i wish my work had a social aspect to it. Nobody goes out for drinks on a Friday after work.

Bubblefett

When I was a manager I'd go out for the drinks to make an appearance and buy a round for everyone but I wouldn't drink anything myself. I didn't like the idea of my staff seeing me as the rambling mess I become after 2 glasses of wine.

wylo

I really dont think they'll care. It probably only seems like a big deal to you because you are not going.

Genuinely getting on with people in the work place is very important both for your sanity but also career, but work nights out really dont matter a damn to all that, its the day to day interactions that would make or break how someone sees you in their job.

Wanderer2010

It does depend on the culture there. Where I am, management go to barbequeues, Xmas nights out and sometimes when a workmate is leaving and tend to just chat about soccer and the hottest women in the office and if you are in that clique of talking rubbish all night then you are "one of them". If you dont go to many, you come accross as anti social and they wont bother with you, which will definitely affect promotion etc. Thats just my place, it may be the case where they dont think twice about it if you go or not.

If its any benefit, I agree that Monday to Friday 9-5pm is more than enough to see the same people. I know by now who I like and dont like and Im not going to be false with people I dont like just to try and fit in, be yourself OP. As long as you pass yourself and do your job, thats enough.