What Would Jesus Do?

The Holiday season is one that is often fraught with danger for Chief Diversity Officers.  Some topics are innately emotional for people.  Money is number one, family and children are number two and religion is number three.  During the months of November and December the workplace becomes an emotional minefield where normally rational people become hyper sensitive and dogmatic. 

In matters of diversity, we often speak in terms of majority culture vs. minority culture.  Generally the view is, if you are part of the majority culture the onus is on you to be  more sensitive and appear overly accomodating ( inclusive) of other cultures.  We expect men to behave themselves when we introduce Women's leadership training and we expect our white colleagues to understand why we have executive mentoring programs for ethnic minorities.  And, for the most part, I would say they do.  However, when it comes to Christmas...all bets are off.

When it comes to the intrusion of religious inclusion in the workplace, Christians seem more unwilling than others to embrace the high road of diversity.  They don't understand why their colleagues would object to a Christmas Tree in the lobby, or playing Christmas Carols over the sound system.  "It's Christmas!" they declare. " and America is a Christian nation."  Well, the problem is this.  It is also Hanukkah (Jewish), Ashura (Islamic/ Muslim), St. Nicholas Day (Europe) Boxing Day, ( Canada) and Kwanza ( African American), etc. 

How does and organization that is comiited to building an inclusive workplace handle the question of religious celebrations in the workplace?  Well, in my opinion, it has to be all or nothing.  If you recognize one religion, then you have to provide the space for the recognition of all religions.  If an individual wants to hand out chocolate santas to his co-workers in honor of St. Nicholas Day or place a minorah on her desk, then other employees should be allowed the same freedom.  The organization, however, should not be seen as promoting one religion over another.  I have advised my organization to decorate our hotel lobby in very festive holiday decor, minus the Christmas Tree.  As an individual, I will be celebrating Christmas.  I will say "Merry Christmas" to people I encounter in stores. I will personally always understand that, for me, Jesus is the reason for the season.  I will also, however, listen intently while my Hindu colleagues tell me the details of Ashura, and I will enthusiastically play a game of Dreidel if invited to participate by my Jewish colleagues.

Inclusion 365 Mission#2 
I will honor my religious heritage and beliefs while respecting the religious heritage and beliefs of others.  I recognize that the country I live in, is a great quilt made up of unique and varying elements, none more important than the other.  I will remember to hold fast to my own beliefs and convictions without diminishing the beliefs and convictions of others.

---