Christmas Office Party?

Question

I work for a big corporation and my boss and his boss are Jehovah's Witnesses, along with 3 other people in a dept, of about 50 people total. For the past 2 yrs, we could not have a traditional Christmas Party. Instead, we had a "Employee Appreciation Luncheon" instead and last year, they went a step further and waited til 2 weeks AFTER Christmas to give us another "Employee Appreciation Luncheon." They purposedly planned it this way, to avoid the whole Christmas tradition altogether. Many people in the dept were fed up and as a result, many people did not show up.

Do you think this is discrimmination against our religious beliefs and freedom of religion?? Why should we have to be deprived of spending a joyous time with our co-workers/friends because THEY basically don't believe in celebrations??

I realize that the company isn't obligated to give us a party, but it's not fair that other depts got to celebrate Christmas and we didn't . Thoughts?

I understand that we can socialize with our co-workers at any time, but I just think it's odd that they won't PAY for us to have a Christmas Party if other depts are. Believe me... I'm not being petty about the money, but why do others get "Christmas on the Company" and we don't, because our beliefs don't match theirs??? They even frown on us for hanging stockings and Christmas decorations on our individual cubicles...

Answer 1

I would boycott them. That is so stupid. It's obviously about Christmas. I'm tired of the politically correct cowards these days that are so afraid of offending someone. I would be conviently "sick" on the day of the "employee appreciation party." Yeah, sick of the PC liberals.

Answer 2

To your bosses' defense, it is possible that they tried for a party in December, but found all places were booked. I used to work in the restaurant business and December fills up fast. As a result, many companies shift parties to January or even early Feb. (depending where).

However, if you are positive that your bosses purposely avoided Christmas, I still don't see the issue. Why not have a "Holiday" party or a "New Year's Party"? While other religions and countries have a separate New Year's event (such as the Chinese New Year), the world does accept that January 1st is the start of a new calendar year. Therefore, to avoid any bias towards Christmas or other holidays, New Year's seems safe.

Personally, I feel your bosses are doing it right - they are removing all traces of religion from the celebration, while still offering employees a chance to have a nice party.

However, if their luncheon is rather cheap compared to what other departments, then perhaps it should be suggested that a more elaborate "holiday party" should be done in early January. This will give everyone a little something to look forward to after the holidays, while not seeming cheap.

If you would still love a pre-Christmas party, then again, a suggestion (anonymous??) stating that many in the department would love a "holiday party" in December, which would acknowledge all major holidays, including New Year's, should be presented. And the decorations at such a party should be mindful of these other traditions. It may take extra time, but this way you are celebrating Christmas with your coworkers while still honoring those who have different beliefs.

You have 7 months to plan - good luck!

Answer 3

When you call it an "Employee Appreciation Luncheon" it just doesn't sound interesting at all. If you don't want to risk offending people of different religious backgrounds, you can most likely safely call it a "Winter Party" or "Winter Gathering" or something more creative. Try and make it a general party that still celebrates the holiday season without focusing too much on any particular religious group.

As for the fact that it's not fair that your department should be deprived of fellowship-ing in a relaxed party-like atmosphere, I would agree with you. BUT, I don't think there is any company that is required to host holiday parties, so it's all up to the discretion of whomever is head of your company. Why one department was singled out, I don't know.

And this is where a party hosted by you would come in. Sure, you'd be spending your own money, but at least then you could do things your way. You can host however you want, invite whomever you want, etc.

Answer 4

Can't you plan a party for the dept. and whoever wants to come, can? We did that in my dept. one year. A few ladies I ate lunch with...we all sent out an email to everyone in the dept and said that we were having a party on such and such date at such and such place.

That's not discrimination...as they're not obligated to do anything, even a luncheon.

You have your religious views and they have theirs....should they go against their views just to appease you and the others? Would you go against your religious views to appease someone? That's what you're wanting them to do. I'm sure it sucks if all teh other depts. are having Christmas parties, but you can socialize with your coworkers anytime you want. Work is work and be glad that they at least give you a luncheon. Some places don't even get that.

Answer 5

This questioner should perhaps rethink her implied intention to escalate this matter above her boss's boss.

If she does press this issue, assuredly ALL of the departments in the company will have an "Employee Appreciation Luncheon" instead of a Christmas party next year. That would be the only fair way to accommodate those who do not celebrate Christmas.

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/20001215/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/rq/index.htm?article=article_11.htm

Answer 6

Well I personally Never understood using company money to celebrate a holiday, birthday, wedding, etc. If you and the coworkers wish to celebrate, then you should go ahead and set something up. Having a nonreligious party, among other things, helps protect the company, or at least that department, from being accused of pushing beliefs, so it is probably really better that your department isn't pushing it.

Answer 7

Discrimination? No more than forcing your beliefs by having a Christmas party when there are Jews, Muslims, JWs, and whatever other religion present. What gives you are greater right to a holiday party then the Jews and Muslims? I guess you would really hate it is you were assigned to a branch in foreign countries where they don't have these parties. Are you being petty? Yes. If you want a Christmas party, have a Christmas party. If the other departments are having them, than join them.

Answer 8

Don't go to work for the Government. Taxpayers don't like paying for office Christmas parties either. LOL When I worked for the Government, we didn't have parties, but it was no big deal to me. Christmas is for families anyway as far as I'm concerned. We used to all set aside one week before Christmas to bring goodies to work. Each one of us brought our favorite Christmas recipes to work and set them on the table for anyone that wanted to enjoy them. It was strictly voluntary, and you could bring them any day M-F. By the way, our Managers used to all chip in and take us out for an employee appreciation dinner too. Usually, about two to four weeks after Christmas, and they paid for it out of their own pockets. I thought it was very nice of them to do anything at all for us since they didn't have to. I know you enjoy Christmas, but don't let work get you down. Christmas is bigger than any office party. God bless ..... :o)

Answer 9

Why don't you and your fellow workers arrange something for AFTER work, away from the office, like in a restaurant. I used to work for a guy who didn't let us have any kind of parties (not even BIRTHDAY parties) on the company premises. He wasn't religious, he was just an insensitive, selfish butt-head. Instead, all us worker-bees would put something together after work.

Answer 10

If you company has a policy against Christmas parties for the entire company, then that would be fine, but if the other departments are having parties, you should be able to as well.