Holiday Tree
WO
130 Posts
We sent out an e-mail message that a tree would be provided in our County Courthouse lobby for decorating for all those who wish to participate. Called it a Holiday Tree and asked that ornaments not reference any particular religion.
We now have e-mails flying: one mgr states he won't participate if it is not a "Christmas" tree. Another applauds this, while another states wisely "The recognition that people hold many different beliefs is not 'discrimination' against any one belief."
So what would you do? Send an e-mail that enforces the Holiday theme, participation not required? Remove any specific ornaments? Ignore it?
I don't want to start another debate, just protect employee's rights and the County from discrimination claims. I don't feel after the messages that we can ignore the initial statement we made that it is a Holiday Tree.
We now have e-mails flying: one mgr states he won't participate if it is not a "Christmas" tree. Another applauds this, while another states wisely "The recognition that people hold many different beliefs is not 'discrimination' against any one belief."
So what would you do? Send an e-mail that enforces the Holiday theme, participation not required? Remove any specific ornaments? Ignore it?
I don't want to start another debate, just protect employee's rights and the County from discrimination claims. I don't feel after the messages that we can ignore the initial statement we made that it is a Holiday Tree.
Comments
We currently have two, count 'em, two Christmas trees just on the first floor. If we called it a "holiday tree" we'd probably have anarchy in the building. However, with that said, we do allow employees to decorate their area however they wish should they celebrate another holiday besides Christmas.
The idea that a grinch could "steal" Christmas was just a funny notion from a Dr. Seuss book when I was a kid. I never that I'd live to see it actually happen.
So sad that Christmas has come to this.
Oh! and Happy Holidays!
I think someone posted the first email a month or so ago but never the next 10 or 12. I think of it every year at this time, Lori. If anyone out there has it, maybe it’s time to share to get a smile out of times that can be trying for HR folks.
FROM: Pat Lewis
TO: All employees
RE: Christmas Party
DATE: December 1
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. There is a no-host bar and 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
TO: All employees
RE: Holiday Party
DATE: December 4
In no way was Friday’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?
TO: All employees
RE: Holiday Party
DATE: December 7
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 suppose to handle this? Somebody?
TO: All employees
RE: Holiday Party
DATE: December 8
What a diverse company we are! I had no idea that December 20 (editor note: 9/24 in 2006) 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, do to strong requests, 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?
TO: All employees
RE: Holiday Party
DATE: December 11
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-worshiping” employees, but we’ll try to accommodate your shamanic drumming circle during the band’s breaks. Okay??
TO: All employees
RE: Holiday Party
DATE: December 12
People, people, nothing sinister was intended by having our CEO dress up like Santa Clause! Even if the anagram of “Santa” does happen to be “Satan” there is no evil connotation of our own “little man in a read suit.” It’s a tradition, folks, like sugar shock on Halloween or family feuds over the Thanksgiving turkey or broken hearts on Valentine’s Day. Could we lighten up?
TO: All employees
RE: Holiday Party
DATE: December 13
Vegans!?!?!? 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!!
TO: All employees
RE: Holiday Party
DATE: December 13
ALL WORK AND NO PLAY MAKES PAT A DULL GIRL. ALL WORK AND NO PLAY MAKES PAT A DULL GIRL. ALL WORK AND NO PLAY MAKES PAT A DULL GIRL. ALL WORK AND NO PLAY MAKES PAT A DULL GIRL.
To complete my part of this story:
Our tree arrived in the lobby. One employee donated some generic ornaments. The receptionist decorated the tree all by herself. Not a complaint or comment has been made. The tree is very beautiful.
End of story!
In case you didn’t see Open1's posting in the HR-de-har-har forum under “Ideas for C’mas party at work” you may want to check it out. Her email version had two or three differences then mine, plus better spelling! Anyway, here is the last email of this version, which is exactly like hers.
FROM: Teri Bishop, Acting Human Resources Director
TO: All employees
RE: Pat Lewis and Holiday Party
DATE: December 22
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 sanitarium. In the meantime, management has decided to cancel our Holiday Party and give everyone the afternoon of the 23rd off with full pay.