A Leader’s Guide to Festive Togetherness
The holiday season is a perfect time for leaders to show their commitment to diversity and inclusion. It’s about creating a workplace where everyone feels seen, valued, and celebrated—regardless of their beliefs, traditions, or how they choose to spend the holidays.
Here are some tips to help leaders make the season merry and meaningful for all!
Diversify Holiday Traditions: Swap the traditional “office Christmas party” for a “Holiday Celebration” that embraces diverse cultural and religious festivities. Incorporate elements from Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Diwali, or non-religious celebrations like the winter solstice. Invite employees to share their traditions, turning the season into an opportunity for cultural exchange.
Reimagine Decorations: Deck the halls with inclusive, neutral decor! Think snowflakes, lights, or winter greenery. Better yet, give teams the chance to decorate shared spaces with symbols from their own traditions. It’s a simple but meaningful way to let everyone express themselves.
Offer Flexible Time Off: Not everyone celebrates the same holidays. Encourage employees to use their PTO for celebrations that matter most to them. A flexible approach to holiday time off shows respect for personal and cultural differences.
Host an Inclusive Gift Exchange: If your team enjoys gift-giving, consider a “Secret Snowflake” or “Gratitude Exchange,” where participants focus on thoughtful notes or inclusive gifts rather than holiday-specific items. Keep the price point low to make participation stress-free.
Keep Food Options Open: Catered events? Ensure menus are inclusive of dietary restrictions and cultural preferences. Better yet, try a potluck with a “global holiday dish” theme—it’s delicious and educational!
A Holiday Season of Gratitude: The simplest, most inclusive act? Gratitude. Thank your team for their hard work, acknowledge their individual contributions, and spread the warmth of appreciation. A heartfelt “thank you” resonates with everyone.
Strike the Right Note with Inclusive Holiday Music
Holiday music, while festive for many, can also evoke strong emotions and even be triggering for others, especially in workplace settings. Songs that are too tied to specific memories, religious themes, or somber tones may inadvertently alienate or upset some employees. It’s important to keep your playlist inclusive and reflective of the diverse traditions your team may celebrate.
- Blend Holiday Classics with Neutral Tunes
- Celebrate Global Holidays Through Music
- Choose Uplifting, Non-Specific Themes
- Take Requests from Your Team
- Be Mindful of Volume and Repetition
Types of Potentially Triggering Holiday Music
Music is deeply personal, and during the holiday season, it’s especially important to be mindful of your team’s emotional landscape. By curating a thoughtful, inclusive soundtrack, you can foster a cheerful environment while being sensitive to everyone’s needs.
Not everyone loves hearing holiday music on loop. Balance seasonal songs with regular tracks, and keep the volume at a level where people can still focus and chat comfortably. Invite employees to contribute to a team playlist. Ask for songs that reflect their favorite traditions or simply tunes that make them feel festive. A collaborative playlist is a fun, inclusive way to involve everyone.
Songs with Religious Overtones: While traditional religious carols like “Silent Night” or “O Holy Night” are beloved by many, they might exclude employees who don’t share those beliefs. These can feel overly specific in a diverse workplace. Instead, choose instrumental versions to maintain a festive atmosphere without the lyrics.
Songs About Family and Togetherness: Songs that romanticize family gatherings can be tough for employees dealing with grief, estrangement, or loneliness during the holidays. Examples include:
- “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”
- “Please Come Home for Christmas”
- “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”
Overly Sentimental or Melancholy Tracks: Some holiday songs evoke nostalgia or bittersweet emotions that might dampen the mood, such as:
- “The Christmas Shoes”
- “Same Old Lang Syne” by Dan Fogelberg
- “Blue Christmas” by Elvis Presley
Repetitive, Overplayed Hits: Certain upbeat tracks, while seemingly harmless, can be grating or emotionally draining when played excessively. Think:
- “All I Want for Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey
- “Last Christmas” by Wham!
While the holidays are a great time to spotlight inclusivity, they should be a reminder of what you’re building year-round: a workplace where everyone feels they belong. Take stock of your inclusivity practices and commit to improvements in the new year.
Diversity and Inclusion matters throughout the year. JER HR Group helps organizations build strategic, sustainable diversity and inclusion (D&I) initiatives.
Request a consultation today.