Survey: Many Employees Feel Excluded at Holiday Time

Monday September 22, 2008

 Boston
One in 10 employees has felt excluded during annual holiday celebrations in the workplace, according to a national telephone survey by Novations Group, a global consulting organization based in Boston.

Twelve percent of men and 9 percent of women reported being left out or ignored at holiday time, but the findings showed no significant differences by age or race. Employees in metropolitan areas were twice as likely to feel excluded.

The survey reflects the growing diversity of the American workplace, said Novations senior vice president, Dawn Frazier-Bohnert.

Each year the holidays become a more complicated challenge for U.S. employers, she said. Of course, all organizations want to be inclusive; but it appears that their efforts may fall short at holiday time.

Once upon a time, holiday diversity could be achieved by than adding a Hanukkah Menorah to the holiday decorations. But today employers have to take into account an ever-increasing variety of religious beliefs and practices among their employees.

Frazier-Bohnert advised employers to choose activities that will not make non-Christian employees uncomfortable:

• Seek participation from employees on holiday planning. Include as many groups as possible, or at least solicit their input.
• Allow employees to opt out of the companys holiday events without penalty and negative connotation.
• Allow non-Christian employees to offer alternatives sanctioned but not mandated by the company.
• Be aware of the seasonal observances of all religions that may be represented in your workforce. Don't focus just on Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. (In some years there may be a conflict with Ramadan or Diwali).
• Be conscious that alcohol at parties may make some non-Christians as well as Christians uncomfortable. And offer vegetarian alternatives.

Genuine openness and opportunity have to be a year-round commitment for an organization, Frazier-Bohnert said.

The national telephone phone survey of 534 employed Americans was conducted for Novations Group Sept. 3-7, 2008, by International Communications Research.

For more info: http://www.novations.com