Before you decide, get the details. When is the gathering? Where is it being held? Who’s providing the food? Is it for employees-only, or are spouses and family invited? What’s your supervisor’s attitude toward the event?

If spouses and family are included, you’ll need to decide whether to bring them or go alone.

If the gathering takes place on company time, most companies expect you to attend unless you’ve got a business excuse, such as a client meeting or tight deadline. If the company provides refreshments, it’s a strong signal you’re supposed to attend. If your supervisor urges you to attend, that’s another signal you’re expected.

If the gathering is held at a location far away from your office, you can probably excuse yourself by citing the travel distance. Likewise; if it’s a potluck affair where attendees are expected to bring food, it’s probably more an employee get-together than a major company event.

Logistics and hints aside, consider the advantages and disadvantages of attending.

Company social events are opportunities for you to meet and get to know your colleagues in a casual atmosphere. You might gain a better understanding of how and why your co-workers think and act the way they do. You might find you have common interests. And, your co-workers will get to meet the mystery worker with whom they usually communicate by phone or email…You! On the negative side, you may learn or share personal details you wish you hadn’t.

Company social events are usually filled with business gossip. You might hear helpful tidbits you wouldn’t know otherwise. You may also hear a lot of negative comments that heighten your natural insecurities as a telecommuter. You already know it’s wise to refrain from participating in gossip. You’ll also need to sift fact from opinion when listening to it.

Your supervisor may view the event as an exercise in team sportsmanship, and label anyone who doesn’t attend as a poor-sport. You don’t want your absence to translate into a negative comment at your next review.

Whether you decide that the advantages of attending a company picnic or BBQ outweigh the disadvantages, be sure to respond promptly to the invitation—especially if the company is providing food.

On a personal note, I freely admit I’m not one who enjoys company social events. I avoid them whenever possible, preferring to separate my work from my social life. At some companies, this has cost me careerwise. Other times, it’s made no difference. I have attended select company gatherings, when I felt it was mandatory or appropriate; or, when I truly enjoyed the company of my colleagues.

I’m writing this after attending a company BBQ, where I enjoyed myself immensely. Right now I’m telecommuting for a small tech company, so the group was small and the conversation lively. If all company gatherings were like this one was, there’d be no dilemma.