As some companies reinstate the holiday party, it's time to remember that this 'party' isn't all about fun and games. 

"The higher you are in the organization, I think your participation or attendance, is more mandatory than if you if you were an entry level employee,"  says Tulane business professor Mark Rosa. 

He says the military even has a name for it: Forced fun.

A good rule of thumb according to Rosa is, "Don't do anything at the party that you wouldn't do at work.  Any time there is alcohol involved something may drift outside of those boundaries, and it could be a regret."

According to a recent national survey by nonprofit Caron Treatment Centers:

Of those who are employed either full or part-time and have seen someone under the influence of alcohol behave inappropriately at a work-related outing:

 -30 percent have seen someone flirt with a co-worker or supervisor
 -28 percent witnessed a fellow party-goer drive drunk
 -26 percent indicated a colleague or supervisor shared inappropriate details about themselves or a co-worker
 -19 percent witnessed someone arguing or becoming aggressive with a colleague or supervisor
 -Nine percent claimed co-workers or supervisors engaged in sexual activity while under the influence of alcohol

"The increasing popularity of social networking has raised the stakes even higher," Caron concludes, "As embarrassing and inappropriate behavior can be captured and shared with others online. These reputation-damaging moments can be uploaded to YouTube, Tweeted or posted to Facebook within a matter of seconds and can cause long-term damage.

"Furthermore, among those employed full or part-time who saw inappropriate information or photos of their co-workers or friends on social media, more than half (56%) observed repercussions for this co-worker or friend professionally or personally due to the inappropriate information or photos becoming public. In fact, 36 percent indicated that person's reputation in the workplace was damaged and nearly 20 percent said it raised concerns with family and friends."

Click here for more from Caron.