Forced to attend Xmas Party

Savvy_Sue

The last place I worked which did a big Christmas do, all staff were given the option of taking the day off, either as part of your holiday entitlement or by working flexi to cover it. And a few of my team did just that, which I did not have a problem with!

Terrylw1

Wow Sue, I wish my place did that. I get a bit sick of pretending to have fun in front of at least half a group of people who I wouldn't speak to outside of the company.

But then, it can be useful when they make complete idiots of themselves in the jobs next day dept...

Anotehr thing that gets me is the senior managers and what they get away with. I'm a manager myself and staff are always reminded that it's a works function and conduct rules apply. Then the senior managers get drunk, gets into fights, throw up in the places they have booked making us all look stupid etc...then guess what...no conduct issues to speak of!

I even book myself into offsite meetings to get out of these pointless affairs. Rather go out for a xmas meal with people I actually have respect for.

CFC

fengirl wrote: »

Conor, in case you didn't realise, there are laws in this country against discriminating on grounds of religion or belief in employment.

I don't believe that this would fall under any of the relevant discrimination acts, any more than does forcing staff to take holiday at Christmas when the business is closed. Why do you believe that it would fall under any of the relevant acts?

I certainly agree with most of the posters, the Xmas parties are a pain in the rear...but I turn up and go through the motions; it's simply a question of tolerating for a time the society of those whom you would prefer to avoid, just the same as it is in the actual working day, and leaving as early as you can get away with!

fengirl_2

CFC - I think this would fall under Religion or Belief in that all employees are being required to celebrate a Christian festival, regardless of their own beliefs. OK, I know the Christianity has gone out of Christmas to a great extent, but it could offend some people to be forced to celebrate it (including atheists, I guess).

amandada

fengirl wrote: »

CFC - I think this would fall under Religion or Belief in that all employees are being required to celebrate a Christian festival, regardless of their own beliefs. OK, I know the Christianity has gone out of Christmas to a great extent, but it could offend some people to be forced to celebrate it (including atheists, I guess).

But the OP has stated quite clearly this is not the case. OP's wife's issue has nothing to do with religion-so this is of little help in this instance

vickyj

Has she tried explaining toher boss about her discomfot rearding eating in front of people. Maybe she can attnd bt not eat i have done thi many times due to dietary issues and it has never been a problem for me

Vicky

fengirl_2

I know that the issue in this case is not to do with reliegion, but I was just commenting in general - by requiring all staff to attend a Christmas event, the employer is on dodgy ground. There could be other staff for whom this is an issue.
Not only with religion, but someone might have caring responsibilties which means it is difficult for them to attend the event if it wasn't a normal working day.
No employer would get away with this in the sector I work in.

Conor_3

Utter garbage. It's not a celebration of Christmas. There's no religious connotations other than it happens to be a party in December where people will wear Santa type stuff.

Anyway, Fengirl, are you aware that Christmas is actually a pagan festival so in fact has sod all to do with religion historically?

I'm glad I don't work in the sector you're in if that attitude about a party is anything to go by. Live in the South by any chance? This kind of rubbish seems to be a Shandy Drinkers thing.

Oh and it's thanks to people like you and those you work with that the body advising the Govt made a statement saying Christmas should be abolished. So once again, they expect the massive majority to suffer for a small minority.

It's simple. The UK is a Christian country. The official religion is Church of England although you're free to practice your religion of choice. If you don't like it, sod off. Why should 60 million plus people be punished just to allegedly try and keep a few million others happy? Being a free country, you're also free to leave.

ckerrd

Conor wrote: »

Utter garbage. It's not a celebration of Christmas. There's no religious connotations other than it happens to be a party in December where people will wear Santa type stuff.

Anyway, Fengirl, are you aware that Christmas is actually a pagan festival so in fact has sod all to do with religion historically?

I'm glad I don't work in the sector you're in if that attitude about a party is anything to go by. Live in the South by any chance? This kind of rubbish seems to be a Shandy Drinkers thing.

Oh and it's thanks to people like you and those you work with that the body advising the Govt made a statement saying Christmas should be abolished. So once again, they expect the massive majority to suffer for a small minority.

It's simple. The UK is a Christian country. The official religion is Church of England although you're free to practice your religion of choice. If you don't like it, sod off. Why should 60 million plus people be punished just to allegedly try and keep a few million others happy? Being a free country, you're also free to leave.

What is the official religion in Scotland Ireland and Wales?
I don't know just asking but I know that in Scotland in sure isn't the C of E

One thing I find ironic about religion in the UK is that the monarch could marry a Muslim but not a Catholic.

vikingaero

Conor wrote: »

Utter garbage. It's not a celebration of Christmas. There's no religious connotations other than it happens to be a party in December where people will wear Santa type stuff.

Anyway, Fengirl, are you aware that Christmas is actually a pagan festival so in fact has sod all to do with religion historically?

I'm glad I don't work in the sector you're in if that attitude about a party is anything to go by. Live in the South by any chance? This kind of rubbish seems to be a Shandy Drinkers thing.

Oh and it's thanks to people like you and those you work with that the body advising the Govt made a statement saying Christmas should be abolished. So once again, they expect the massive majority to suffer for a small minority.

It's simple. The UK is a Christian country. The official religion is Church of England although you're free to practice your religion of choice. If you don't like it, sod off. Why should 60 million plus people be punished just to allegedly try and keep a few million others happy? Being a free country, you're also free to leave.

OMG!:eek:

I actually agree with Conor! :eek::D

Political Correctness in this country means: As Ethnic minorities, respect our beliefs, religion and value over yours. If you don't like it we'll claim discrimination and shout woe is us. :rolleyes:

And I say this as a member of an ethnic minority.