Lengthy, way back, my staff introduced a Christmas get together. I instructed my supervisor that, since I wasn’t Christian, I declined to attend. They needed to cowl enterprise firstly, so — to their credit score — they promptly rebranded it to an end-of-year get together that didn’t give attention to Christmas decorations nor have Christmas music.
(Just a few people wore Christmas sweaters or a Santa hat; that was wonderful.)
This labored nice till our group grew and mixed with one other and grew once more. Now, immediately, it’s again to a “vacation” get together with Christmas music. If I complain, probably the most that can change is that That One Adam Sandler Hannukah Tune shall be added to the playlist.
(I’m not Jewish.) This yr provides a “vacation outfit” contest as effectively.
Which suggests I gained’t be attending. That’s wonderful; it’s gone from a potluck to catering as effectively, and I don’t eat indoors in public buildings since we’re nonetheless in a pandemic. However I might put up with the awkwardness of watching different folks eat (and paying for the privilege of doing so, although I’d be allowed to construct myself a go-plate from the unfold) if the “vacation” branding weren’t so patently a euphemism for Christmas. As team-building, it … isn’t.
I actually, actually appreciated when my smaller staff cared sufficient to make me really feel included by making it a year-end get together. That felt good. This had me switching my in-office day in order that, gee darn, I gained’t be there the day of the staff “vacation” get together.
