Corporate Diwali Party Gone Wrong | Junaid Akram Clips

Summary

An anonymous 29-year-old manager in India says he earns around ₹75 lakh a year and has built a successful career. At a company Diwali celebration, he and a younger colleague he had recently been dating casually drank heavily and kissed near the cab pickup area. Some coworkers, including her manager, saw them.

Two days later, HR met with him about a formal internal complaint, reviewed workplace-conduct policies, and said it would follow due process. The colleague also had a similar meeting with HR. He apologized and accepted that he had exercised poor judgment, but is worried he could lose his job.

Junaid says the encounter, as described, appears to have been between consenting adults. However, an office party can still count as a workplace setting—even if it takes place off-site—and the company may have grounds to discipline employees. Alcohol may help explain what happened, but it is not an excuse. Termination is possible, though not inevitable; the outcome depends on the complaint, company policies, and the process.

His advice is to avoid repeatedly approaching HR, speculating about the complaint, or discussing the incident with coworkers. He should wait for formal instructions, cooperate, acknowledge the lapse in judgment, and avoid trying to coordinate accounts with the colleague. Junaid recommends keeping communications and meeting details documented, preferably by email, and behaving normally at work without overexplaining. He also warns that workplace relationships and conduct at company events can carry serious professional risks.

Presenters or contributors: Junaid Akram; Mr. Anonymous, the letter writer.