Forced to attend Xmas Party

fengirl_2

I am well aware that Christmas is not a Christian festival nowadays, and I said this in my previous post. However, many people might see it as such and be offended by having to attend a celebration of it. Many years ago, I wokred in an office with a Jehovah's Witness and he wouldn't celebrate Christmas, so its not about Muslims, as you seem to imply.
No, I am not in the south! I work in the voluntary sector where we (on the whole) try to respect people's differences.

Terrylw1

fengirl wrote: »

I am well aware that Christmas is not a Christian festival nowadays, and I said this in my previous post. However, many people might see it as such and be offended by having to attend a celebration of it. Many years ago, I wokred in an office with a Jehovah's Witness and he wouldn't celebrate Christmas, so its not about Muslims, as you seem to imply.
No, I am not in the south! I work in the voluntary sector where we (on the whole) try to respect people's differences.

I wonder if we will see a thread on here from someone at the same company who is a Jehovah's Witness who is being threatened with disciplinary action because they wouldn't participate in the companies Secret Santa!!!:rotfl:

CFC

fengirl wrote: »

I am well aware that Christmas is not a Christian festival nowadays, and I said this in my previous post. However, many people might see it as such and be offended by having to attend a celebration of it. Many years ago, I wokred in an office with a Jehovah's Witness and he wouldn't celebrate Christmas, so its not about Muslims, as you seem to imply.
No, I am not in the south! I work in the voluntary sector where we (on the whole) try to respect people's differences.

The voluntary sector is motivated by political philosphies and 'values judgements' of one kind or another, however that does not mean that a commercial employer is forced to adopt those policies. I'm still not sure I see your point. The regulations define discrimination as less favourable treatment on the grounds of religion or belief. You said that an employer would have difficulty justifying it and be on dodgy ground, but you do not give further reasoning to back the point of view that it would fall under the relevant regulations?

eco123

This may seem like a ridiculous comment, but if it's not a religious festival, why is it called CHRISTmas?

fengirl_2

I don't think your attack on vol sector values is needed really.
The whole point of my first post was to point out that it is actually the law of the UK that you cannot discriminate in employment on grounds of religion and belief - I don't make the rules!
I'm an agnostic btw and love Christmas.

CFC

fengirl wrote: »

I don't think your attack on vol sector values is needed really.
The whole point of my first post was to point out that it is actually the law of the UK that you cannot discriminate in employment on grounds of religion and belief - I don't make the rules!
I'm an agnostic btw and love Christmas.

It's not an attack on voluntary sector values btw. I have worked for voluntary sector in the past myself. Voluntary sector values are different from each other; each organisation has its own political values so its rather hard to compare them. Doubtless if one hunted through all of them, one would find a wide rainbow of political opinion. Yet Commercial organisations on the other hand have a duty to their shareholders to maximise their profits and on the whole, only do what the law forces them to do (regarding individuals as merely cogs in the wheel of business).

I understand that the regulations do not permit discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief - I'm still not getting why you think that this may be discrimination, though? That's why I asked you on what grounds you believe that it is?

squashy

I think on the employers part it is probably more about not allwing their staff to have a free half day off ie by going home instead of going to the function.

I think if the lady had a quiet word with her boss they would understand, even if it meant her taking that afternoon off as unpaid leave.

fengirl_2

The question of shareholder profits does not seem to arise in this case as the questioner's wife is being required to attend a party at which no actual work will be done.

joolsybools

I hate socialising with colleagues I can never truly relax and be myself. For fear of having one too many sherbets, and telling the boss he is a to**er:D

I so know the feeling!!!!!!

Ewarwoowar2

Spirit wrote: »

Hi to the OP

From the facts that you have told us

• Your wife does not enjoy eating in front of others.
• The company treats its staff to a celebratory lunch & drinks in paid works time.
• She has been told non attendance would be disciplinary matter.

The company plainly intends this to be a 'good' gesture not a bad one. Someone has lost this well intentioned message when discussing the impact for your wife.

It is just the meal that needs to be politely declined. Most of us have to make some polite accommodation of unwanted social events throughout our lives; it is just good manners. Even in the workplace this hold true.

Can your wife :

1) ahead of time explain to a manager she trusts that this is a kind act on the part of the company, however she will not be eating but will join everyone for a drink/ soft or alcoholic (her choice) before hand and for coffee afterwards.

or

2) say nothing, on the day attend the leisure centre but say that she is unable to eat/ queasy, does not wish to disturb others and will sit out the meal (wait somewhere quiet) but rejoin them all later. A little white lie, but no harm is done and problem is solved. If she slips a novel into her bag that morning she can have a relaxing couple of hours with a book.

Best wishes

Spirit

This is the correct advice. In addition, she could call in sick on the day of the party. It wouldn't look good to the employer, but there's very little they could do if she did.

I doubt they can fairly dismiss her for failure to attend the party. However, this depends on her having one year's service.

In relation to the laws concerning discrimination on grounds of religion or belief, I don't think they would apply here, even if she was of another religian other than Christian. The law protects someone being treated differently because of their religion or employers applying a rule or practice with which someone of a particular religion has difficulty complying.