We have muslim workers who complained that it was unfair to have Christmas holidays and have all of our employees take the day off, while they have to use up their holiday allotment for their own holidays. Isn't this religious discrimination?

Yes, I agree the this is religious discrimination. I even heard that a lot of people belonging to other religions resent this.

So that could mean that employers would have to stay open during the December holidays???

You could always say that it is more cost-effective to close the office during the end of December and start of January, this is typically a down time for most organisations, anyway.

I really don't think that you should stop celebrating Christmas just because you don't want to offend minority religions. But please, do not put up Christmas decorations around the office!

heheh, I remember the e-mail that went around a few years back about the HR Director trying to accommodate everybody in their company Christmas party. In the end, the lesson for all of that is that you cannot accommodate everybody.

I think that a really diverse workplace should not alienate people from various religions. But I do agree, that shouldn't stop you and your employees from enjoying the season. But use seasonal images, rather than religious symbols. Instead of having a Christ in the manger decor, opt for Santa Claus.

I think that this is email you're talking about:

Subject: Christmas party announcement

MEMO

FROM: Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: Everyone
RE: Christmas Party

I’m happy to inform you that the company Christmas
Party will take place on December 23, starting at noon
in the banquet room at Luigi’s Open Pit Barbecue.

No-host bar, but plenty of eggnog! We’ll have a small
band playing traditional carols…feel free to sing
along. And don’t be surprised if our CEO shows up
dressed as Santa Claus!

================================================== ==

FROM; Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director
RE: Christmas Party

In no way was yesterday’s memo intended to exclude our
Jewish employees. We recognize that Chanukah is an
important holiday which often coincides with
Christmas, though unfortunately not this year.

However, from now on we’re calling it our “Holiday
Party”. The same policy applies to employees who are
celebrating Kwanzaa at this time.

Happy now?

================================================== ====

FROM; Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director
RE: Holiday Party

Regarding the note I received from a member of
Alcoholics Anonymous requesting a non-drinking
table…you didn’t sign your name. I’m happy to
accommodate this request, but if I put a sign on a
table that reads, “AA Only”; you wouldn’t be anonymous
anymore.

How am I supposed to handle this?

Somebody?

================================================== ===

FROM; Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director
RE: Holiday Party

What a diverse company we are! I had no idea that
December 20 begins the Muslim holy month of Ramadan,
which forbids eating, drinking and sex during daylight
hours. There goes the party!

Seriously, we can appreciate how a luncheon this time
of year does not accommodate our Muslim employees’
beliefs. Perhaps Luigi’s can hold off on serving your
meal until the end of the party — the days are so
short this time of year — or else package everything
for take-home in little foil swans.

Will that work?

Meanwhile, I’ve arranged for members of Overeaters
Anonymous to sit farthest from the dessert buffet and
pregnant women will get the table closest to the
restrooms.

Did I miss anything?

================================================== ===

FROM; Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director
RE: Holiday Party

So December 22 marks the Winter Solstice…what do you
expect me to do, a tap-dance on your heads? Fire
regulations at Luigi’s prohibit the burning of sage by
our “earth-based Goddess-worshipping” employees, but
we’ll try to accommodate your shamanic drumming circle
during the band’s breaks.

Okay???

================================================== ====

FROM; Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director
Date: December 9
RE: Holiday Party

People, people, nothing sinister was intended by
having our CEO dress up like Santa Claus! Even if the
anagram of “Santa” does happen to be “Satan,” there is
no evil connotation to our own “little man in a red
suit.” It’s a tradition, folks, like sugar shock at
Halloween or family feuds over the Thanksgiving turkey
or broken hearts on Valentine’s Day.

Could we lighten up?

================================================== ====

FROM; Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director
RE: Holiday Party

Vegetarians!?!?!?

I’ve had it with you people!!!

We’re going to keep this party at Luigi’s Open Pit
Barbecue whether you like it or not, so you can sit
quietly at the table furthest from the “grill of
death”, as you so quaintly put it, and you’ll get your
#$%^&*! salad bar, including hydroponic tomatoes…but
you know, they have feelings, too. Tomatoes scream
when you slice them. I’ve heard them scream, I’m
hearing them scream right now!

================================================== =====

FROM: Teri Bishops, Acting Human Resources Director
RE: Pat Lewis and Holiday Party

I’m sure I speak for all of us in wishing Pat Lewis a
speedy recovery from her stress-related illness and
I’ll continue to forward your cards to her at the
sanatorium.

In the meantime, management has decided to cancel our
Holiday Party and give everyone the afternoon of the
23rd off with full pay.

Happy Chanu-Kwanzaa-Solsti-Rama-Mas!!

LOL! That was a fun read! But it does make sense!

Yup, inclusion is really hard work, but it's worth it