The festive season presents an opportunity for workplaces to come together and celebrate the end of the year with a party. However, as our workforce becomes more diverse, it’s important to consider how to make office parties inclusive for all employees.
The Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI) is urging workplaces to consider how they can make their end-of-year celebrations safe and inclusive for all employees. One of the tips they have given is to ditch the “Christmas” theme from office parties to be more inclusive of culturally diverse employees.
There are many reasons why a Christmas-themed office party might be exclusionary for some employees. For those who don’t celebrate Christmas, the theme could make them feel alienated and left out. Other employees may not have the same religious beliefs as the majority of their colleagues, and this could lead to feelings of unease or discomfort.
It’s important for workplaces to remember that there are a variety of celebrations during the festive season, such as Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Diwali. A more inclusive approach would be to plan an end-of-year celebration that celebrates the diversity of the workplace and allows all employees to feel included.
Sarah McCann-Bartlett, chief executive of AHRI, declared that end-of-year events are definitely back on the agenda now that two years of lockdowns and Covid restrictions are over.
“Employers must ensure that the workplace – even if it is located off-site – is safe and inclusive, as it is an extension of the workplace,” she said.
