Decorating the office for Christmas is not inherently offensive, even to employees who do not celebrate that specific holiday, but it is very easy to make decorations secular and inclusive. Also, it is appropriate to ask them how they feel about celebrations and decorations, but how you ask matters.
In many workplaces, employers opt for decorations that are festive but not designated to a specific holiday, such as trees/seasonal flora like poinsetta or holly, winter lights, garlands, snowflake ornaments or paper decorations, signage that says “Happy Holidays”, and pictures/paintings of winter scenes. It is very easy to decorate while avoiding exclusively religious symbols like nativity scenes.
If you host holiday activities, try to make them inclusive and optional – no one should feel pressured to participate. There are ways you can communicate that you want to include these employees in holiday festivities without causing discomfort or obligation on their behalf. Here’s a script you can use:
“We usually decorate the office in December with secular Christmas and winter decorations. We want to make sure our space feels comfortable and inclusive for everyone. Is there anything we should keep in mind or avoid to ensure you feel included?”
A simple check-in like this helps explain the decorations as seasonal rather than catering to a specific religion or belief, reinforces the goal of inclusion, and avoids singling them out – send this as a company-wide survey and make it an option to answer anonymously. This gives your employees who don’t celebrate Christmas a choice to weigh in without pressure. Make sure gift exchanges and company events or decorating are optional for ALL employees, as there are many holidays celebrated and observed in December, and sometimes people don’t celebrate Christmas for strictly personal reasons. Try to avoid assuming someone is “anti-Christmas” or that they will be offended by simple winter decor, and try not to isolate any employees this holiday season.
I hope this helps and happy holidays!
-HRInsider Staff
