Yes, it’s here again… the holiday season. Many managers find themselves in the role of party-planner for their workplace festivities. Sensitivity to the diverse workforce must be a priority but how can one plan a celebration that will appeal to all?
Sondra Thiederman PhD, author of Making Diversity Work, advises “Focus more on what we share and less on how we differ” and suggests focusing on the “celebrating”. By keeping the theme neutral rather than specific, one can avoid the potential dilemma of trying to include a symbol from each culture and inadvertently leaving someone out.
Dr. Thiederman suggests five tips for holiday party-planning:
- Include a Welcome Statement. Recognize the diversity in the room, the job well done and the achievements of the team as well as the holiday season.
- Keep Décor Non-Specific. Use neutral symbols such as snowflakes, flowers, balloons and candles rather that symbols specific to a particular religious or cultural group such as a Christmas tree or Menorah.
- Accommodate Diverse Palates. Offer vegetarian alternatives to be respectful of all dietary needs and beliefs. Be sure to provide non-alcoholic beverages as well.
- Appeal to everyone with golden oldies. By providing historical music, big bands and sounds of the 40’s, one can avoid the discomfort certain genres such as Christmas Carols or heavy metal rock or rap may cause.
- Invite the Family. If the event is planned for an evening or weekend, it may be appreciated if the employee’s family is included in the invitation.
Managers should encourage input from employees in holiday planning and allow employees to opt out of the festivities without negative repercussions. Respecting diversity during the holiday season can have a lasting positive effect!