Inclusion and holidays in the workplace

Each year the holidays seem to arrive faster, and the season is upon us yet again. For employees, this has many implications both in and out of the workplace. For HR, we need to be strategic with our holiday workplace happenings. Human resource departments need to keep a pulse on diversity and inclusion initiatives throughout the year, but especially during the holiday season. Many people enjoy the holidays and everything surrounding them. However, the holiday season is not a joyous time for all.

For some, the holidays bring about thoughts of hustle and bustle, expenses, and hardship. Some families struggle to buy gifts for their children, and others struggle to put food on the table. Furthermore, family dynamics are another stressor for some employees during this time of year, and for others, the holiday season brings on feelings of loneliness and loss. Some see the approaching New Year with an optimistic lens, while others see it as daunting, stressful, and a continuation of their hardship.

HR can help by encouraging managers and employees to be gentle with each other during this time of heightened emotion. Company culture and traditions dictate how holidays are recognised; however, keeping an inclusive mindset while maintaining those unique company norms remains possible.

Company leaders and employees can celebrate the holidays while still being inclusive and respectful of all cultures, and HR can – and should – educate them on how to do that. This is not a message suggesting to not celebrate the holiday season at work and revel in the events surrounding it. Rather, it’s a call to action to bring to light simple things we as HR professionals might not think about in the chaos and uncertainty that each day in our field brings.