I took a day off recently and finished up some shopping. I made a number of stops and expected to be wished a “Merry Christmas” at James Avery, but was kind of surprised when it happened at Victoria’s Secret (ok..so maybe SOME of the shopping was for me) and Macy’s. Granted, I’ve been out of corporate HR for almost 4.5 years – but did we suddenly say to hell with being cautious about embracing religion in the workplace? Are you guys all running around now wishing each other Happy Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Christmas?!!
The governor of Texas was recently slammed due to his overly Christian political ad. And before you go off on me about Rick Perry, note this is purely a RELIGIOUS post and I want nothing to do with politics. Was he out of line or isn’t everyone used to hearing (and asking) about the religious views of our political candidates by now?
We have a couple of clients who are overt about their Christian workplaces. It’s actually great to know up front as we need to ensure their culture isn’t going to offend potential candidates. Prayers before executive committee meetings, bible studies, values that clearly talk about faith and believing in a higher power – yep all out there in a global, billion dollar organization. They have incredible tenure and while competitive, underscore people with big egos or those who run over others to accomplish personal goals do not have a place with them.
Chick-fil-A is another company that is out there when it comes to promoting Christian beliefs…so much so they close their stores on Sundays to allow their employees to attend worship, rest and spend time with their families. I always forget I need to get my Chick-fil-A fix on Saturdays.
I have to tell ya – I think it’s ok if HR has become more lax in their attitudes about religion and/or employees are more comfortable being open regarding their faith – whatever faith or belief it may be. I do believe you need to be respectful of the work environment and there’s never a time to push religion on a co-worker, but typically you know if someone shares like sentiments and so why can’t you say “Merry Christmas” vs. the horribly disguised, “Happy Holidays”?!!
I now work in an environment where we are open about calling Christmas….Christmas, yet also have PTO days where people can take time to celebrate other special religious days. It works and it is wonderful not to have to feel like you’re stepping on anyone’s toes by inviting them to a Christmas party.
This has recently hit home, as within a span of two weeks, two of my employees’ fathers had heart attacks. Their families were faced with the horrific decision to allow them to pass in peace vs. lingering on life-support. Another co-worker’s father had open-heart surgery and experienced complications but thankfully is recovering in rehab. Lastly, a former co-worker just let me know her mom was giving up on chemotherapy and it is only a matter of time.
I am so grateful to work at a place where I can send out update emails to the rest of our national team and ask for prayers for these employees and their families. I can openly talk about faith and the strength of their beliefs and it is comforting to them, as well as to me.
I’m sure there will be those who disagree, but I believe in the grace of a higher power and I believe there ARE times in the workplace where it is perfectly OK to share those thoughts. My team has been hit and hurt and every single person has expressed their care and concern for them with some sort of religious undertone.
Guess what? It has not only helped them get through this terrible time, but it has made us stronger as a team as a result.
I hope each of you rejoice in this time of year with your family and friends – - go hug your mothers and fathers – - and have a Merry Christmas!
I like this post and I like the idea of people speaking honestly about their beliefs.
It’s also important to be respectful of people who don’t have faith, don’t care about your faith, or are offended by the actions related to faith. What seems like faith to some can be perceived as ahborrhent behavior to others. I don’t like Satan worshipers because I think it’s cruel to bite the heads of bats. And I don’t eat at Chick-fil-a because I like gay people and I think discrimination in the name of faith is cruel and offensive.
You know what’s comforting? Kindness. Compassion. Humility. Those behaviors transcend religion and can exist without faith.
I like this post and think it’s very brave. I’m a Christian business owner and during my corporate career (as an employee) I worked in environments that were predominately Muslim, here in the US. In fact, one corporation was owned by a Muslim woman.
I have never once felt the need or desire to impose my beliefs on my colleagues and vice versa. We loved one another and were kind (as kind as you get in corp America) to one another. In my experience what I’ve found is that we were all able to say Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, etc. without ever getting offended.
I realize when my Jewish colleagues say Merry Christmas to me, it is simply their way of relating that we may not worship the same, but I value you whatever you believe. Same as my colleagues that were atheist.
Bottom line, we valued and respected one another and we didn’t judge one another. If someone was a jerk…no one ever said oh that Bart is a [insert religion here] jerk…no he was just Bart the guy who wasn’t being a team player/pulling his own weight/being a know-it-all. We cared about each other as people first. We celebrated each other’s events and mourned together when there were losses.
I like being able to wish my colleagues of another (or even no) faith peace and blessings…and apparently they did/do the same.
Great Post….gives me hope for us after all…. Ive always wondered that if we are advocating inclusion and tolerance, why somehow the Christian faith was left out of this. If I tell a Jewish perspon “Merry Christmas”, I would surely hope they would respond with “Happy Hanukkah”…
@Laurie – Thanks for your comments and new insight into C-f-A. I’ll have to get my chicken fix somewhere else if what you say is true.
I think most religions/faith teach kindness, compassion and humility as well.
@CareerLady – I like the bottom line comment as it is so very true – respect and non-judgement go a long way towards promoting professionalism in all aspects of our work environments.
@EvolutionaryCFO – Appreciate the thoughts and yes, it goes both ways. As Christians we need to remember to celebrate the important holidays or moments in non-Christian’s lives as well.