BISMARCK, N.D. (KXNET) — At the end of the year, many companies attempt to help reward their employees for their hard work with holiday parties —but just like any environment with co-workers, they are still rife with opportunities for embarrassment and potentially employment-ending mistakes. During a study on office holiday parties, researchers with Resume.Io surveyed 3,000 managers from across the country on the behavior they least like to see during their office celebrations. Here, they discovered that American managers have many concerns about the way their employees behave during these events... especially when they dance inappropriately or drink more than a healthy amount. In North Dakota's case, managers in the Peace Garden State also cited inappropriate dancing as the worst mistake someone can make during office get-togethers, followed by flirting with co-workers and expressing unfiltered opinions. This major concern is a notable contrast from the rest of the nation, as despite the results, nearly all other states individually listed drinking too much as the most worrying error. From Sinterklaas to Mr. Claus: The history of modern Santa Unfortunately, as anyone who has attended an office party can confirm, they can still be awkward experiences even if someone takes care to avoid these frightening faux pas. In some cases, even the setting itself can result in problems. Of the surveyed managers, 72% stated that any party that involves an open bar is likely to encourage bad behavior, as opposed to less 'dangerous' options like game nights (10%), karaoke nights (9%), and ugly sweater contests (9%). This, of course, is not to say that these lower-stakes festivals do not have memorable moments, and managers point to group competitions (35%), karaoke performances (26%), a lively dance floor (23%), and speeches or awards (17%) as good experiences for both bosses and their employees. On other occasions, the study also made note of the fact that passing by awkward conversations can also put a damper on holiday festivities. When asked about the most uncomfortable topics they have overheard, 36% noted that inappropriate personal stories can be distressing to hear. Additional problematic discussions include those focused on politics or religion (23%), office gossip (21%), and complaints about the company (20%). As frustrating as these mishaps can be, the manager survey did state that people can take easy steps to avoid making career-ending mistakes — with common pieces of advice including sticking to one or two drinks max (38%), enjoying the event without overthinking (34%), and staying away from controversial topics (29%). Even if one makes a mistake, there are also several easy ways to redeem themselves: the most popular is understandably apologizing (as approved by 59% of the survey population), but managers also suggest making light of the situation with humor (20%), pretending it didn't happen (13%), or even offering to plan the next party (8%).  "Holiday parties are a great time to unwind with coworkers, but keep in mind that people will remember how you acted," says Amanda Augustine with Resume.io in a press release. "You can have a good time while still maintaining your professional reputation—it's all about finding the right balance." Click here to view the full study, including a detailed overview of the biggest mistakes one can make at holiday parties across the nation. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Today's Top Stories SIGN UP NOW