Culturally Competent Guide to Holidays in the Workplace

Culturally Competent Guide to Holidays in the Workplace

By Lizz Carroll - DiversityInc

It's that time of year again. Coworkers are adding red and green to their business suits and their desks, others are bringing in baked sweets and bosses are planning the yearly soiree. But what about those in the office who don't celebrate Christmas? DiversityInc asked experts for advice on how to keep the corporate festivities respectful and fun for all.

Party Etiquette

It's always nice when your company throws an office-wide get-together before the holidays, but what should they call it so that it's inclusive to all invited?

"A 'holiday party' is an acceptable name for a seasonal event—it could reference Martin Luther King Day or Christmas or any other federal holiday a company recognizes," says Nancy Di Dia, Boehringer Ingelheim's executive director of diversity, inclusion and engagement.

While this may work in some offices, Joyce S. Dubensky, executive vice president and CEO of the Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding, advises a more conservative approach. "Many organizations opt for 'holiday party,' which sounds neutral but can still create problems," she says. "There are religions, like Jehovah's Witnesses, that don't celebrate any of the winter holidays. In fact, their faith bars them from observing."

For advice on how to develop religious cultural competency at work, visit DiversityIncBestPractices.com.

So what's the solution? "An alternative would be to create a name that's not specifically holiday-focused, like '2009 Company X Celebration.' Because the celebration is not based on the holidays, those who don't or can't celebrate any winter holidays are still included," says Dubensky.

Deck the Halls

You've been put in charge of decorating for the big event, so how do you create an environment that makes everyone feel comfortable?

"Keep decorating as seasonal as possible—use terms like 'Season's Greetings,' 'Looking Forward' and 'Best Wishes in the New Year.' If it stays focused on the new year, it also ties to business goals and the promise of having the opportunity to achieve or exceed goals in a new year," says Di Dia.

For Dubensky, teamwork and variety are key. She says, "One tactic we recommend is to put together a multi-faith team of employees to help you plan and coordinate the event. That way, you get diversity of views about the kind of party to throw."

She adds, "Different companies also have different cultures. A multi-faith, seasonal display of Christmas tree, menorah and a Kinara (the holder for Kwanzaa candles) mixed with generic winter-themed decorations may be completely acceptable for one company, while another may opt strictly for seasonal decorations (e.g., snowflakes, flower arrangements with seasonal flowers and berries), a themed party with related decorations (like a '50s party) or even no decorations at all."

To Go or Not to Go

If you don't celebrate these holidays and you feel uncomfortable attending the office party, is it OK to excuse yourself? It's really up to you, says Di Dia. "Employees have choices in what they choose to attend or participate in at their companies. I believe it's a very personal choice for individuals to make and the amount of time they decide to stay is applicable to the particular culture. What's most important is to be sure the person who invited you or host knows you're attending or unable to attend. These are just professional courtesies and should not change at holiday time," she says.

Gift-Giving

You love giving gifts to others during this season, even if it's just a gesture, but how do you give presents to those who don't share the same faith as you? Dubensky advises to give "joyfully and with a spirit of goodwill," but make sure you remain respectful. "Of course, any gifts should not involve religious elements that may be experienced as coercive or proselytizing—because that could turn the gift into an unwelcome happening. It is best to avoid gifts with explicit references to your religious beliefs," she says.

Greetings

It's nice to send best wishes to coworkers, but what's the best way to be warm as well as considerate? "Providing personalized holiday greetings is a lovely gesture if you know the faith of the person in question and that they're celebrating the holiday. If you wish a Happy Hanukkah to a non-practicing Jew, your colleague may feel that you're assuming too much about how s/he celebrates the holiday—which you are," says Dubensky.

She adds, "If you do choose to offer personalized holiday greetings, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa and Blessed Eid (if it falls in December) are the appropriate greetings. Many card stores now offer these options during the holiday season."