Include Everyone at the Office Holiday Party
The end of the year is a time for holidays for many religions and ethnicities. Working in a diverse workplace means that the office holiday party must be sensitive to not insult anybody. This is no easy task. The trick is to keep the party non-denominational while making sure everyone's religious customs are honored. Here are some tips for making sure everyone feels comfortable.
1) Keep décor nonspecific. Many offices try to include everyone by hanging up religious symbols for Hanukkah and Kwanzaa alongside the Christmas tree, or even worse, they hang up Hanukkah or Kwanzaa ornaments on the Christmas tree. However, inevitably someone will get insulted that one symbol is larger than another or that religious symbols have no place in the workplace. Stick to snowflakes and flowers instead.
2) Don't play holiday music. Again, someone is bound to get upset. However, finding music that appeals to everyone is tricky. Try classical music or jazz; it's less controversial than contemporary music.
3) Don't serve alcohol. Muslims don't drink it anyway, and you'll ensure a tamer party in which you won't have to worry that someone will drive home drunk.
4) Serve a vegetarian option. Vegetarianism is becoming increasingly more popular, and many religions have dietary restrictions on the type of meat their followers can eat. Ask around about allergies and other restrictions, and try to be as accommodating as possible.
Comments
Playing music would definitely offend the members of UPDP, the Union of Pessimists and Depressed People. And Winos International would be heartbroken to find a celebration without booze. How insensitive can you be?!
Playing music would definitely offend the members of UPDP, the Union of Pessimists and Depressed People. And Winos International would be heartbroken to find a celebration without booze. How insensitive can you be?!
Playing music would definitely offend the members of UPDP, the Union of Pessimists and Depressed People. And Winos International would be heartbroken to find a celebration without booze. How insensitive can you be?!
Bunch of Crap these days isn't it! The workplace is turning into a nursery school or something.
Why not just play "It's a Small World" music and have evryone smile at each other and drink fruit punch? Wait, would Fruit Punch affend anyone? Better make it Water!!
Hell with it. Cancel the office party, get your real friends together, go somewhere you all enjoy, and DO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO.