Resource Information for Supervisors & Managers
Strictly Classified
An Informational Bulletin Published by the Personnel Commission
Creating a Culture of Inclusion During the Holidays
The holidays offer an excellent opportunity for staff members to bond through the establishment of office traditions. Annual holiday celebrations help to build office morale, and therefore promote employee motivation,
productivity, and team building. While holiday parties and gift exchanges are intended to be inclusive and
give all employees something to look forward to, the tendency to focus on Christmas often leaves many employees feeling left out. This holiday season, supervisors should take the lead in acknowledging and celebrating diversity by creating a culture of inclusion in department celebrations.
Christmas dominates the popular media and retail outlets, but millions of people in the United States don’t
celebrate Christmas. Although there has been a move to sending out cards with the more generic “happy holidays” greeting and holding “holiday parties,” creating a culture of inclusion is about more than simply changing titles. The holiday season offers an excellent opportunity for building awareness and understanding of different cultural practices.
Tips for Promoting a Culture of Inclusion During the Holidays
As a supervisor, take the lead in learning about a variety of religious and holiday celebrations. There
are many excellent resources on the internet for learning about different religious and cultural celebrations.
Demonstrate your interest in promoting inclusion by learning and sharing information about practices other
than your own.
• Be open to understanding the practices of others. There are a number of holidays that are celebrated in
a variety of ways during this season, and many people choose not to celebrate any holidays at all. Show
respect for the practices of others by taking interest in their traditions and making all participants feel welcome at, as well as a part of, any office celebration. Encourage a diverse group of staff members to participate in the planning of the holiday party.
• Keep track of the dates of religious and holiday celebrations. Be aware of the dates for Kwanzaa, Hanukah, Ramadan, and Diwali. When writing holiday cards to your staff, take the time to recognize the specific holiday celebrated by each employee by including a hand written note. Additionally, accommodate
the scheduling needs of staff members regarding their religious practices throughout the year.
• Avoid making your “holiday” party a Christmas party in disguise. Decorations should be general, and
the menu should accommodate the needs of all of the participants.
• New Year’s Parties are an excellent alternative. Most employees will happily go along with a New
Year’s celebration, and such a celebration lends itself to providing vision and motivation for the year
ahead.
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MEMBERS OF THE PERSONNEL COMMISSION
James A. Srott, Chair
December 2007
David Iwata
Henry Jones
Karen Martin, Personnel Director
(213) 891-2333
•
Encourage all of your employees to share their traditions. Use the holiday or New Year’s party as an
opportunity for staff members to share foods, decorations, and stories that are reflective of their holiday
traditions. This will promote education and understanding amongst your employees.
While these steps may require additional thought and consideration, promoting inclusion and celebrating diversity will ensure that all staff members feel valued and acknowledged. Ultimately, this will foster greater
understanding between staff members and benefit the overall work environment. Enjoy the holidays!