Holiday workplace dos and don’ts
Whether your workplace openly embraces the holidays or practices a neutral version, dilemmas will come up.
For example, the controversial holiday greeting. If someone wishes me a “happy or merry anything,” I appreciate the sentiment. I don’t understand why that would offend anyone.
If we stop to think about it, every day, we unintentionally say or do something that could offend someone. So what do we do about it? Not much, other than try to be aware, considerate, and avoid doing anything with a malicious intent. Oh, and if someone finds you “guilty” of an offense, apologize and move on.
My philosophy: Becoming offended is a choice. I choose not to allow anyone to offend me.
Now on with a few holiday dos and don’ts:
- “Merry Christmas!” Do: Say, “Thank you. The same to you.” (The intention is well-meaning. I’ll take a ‘good wish’ anytime for any holiday.)
- Receive a gift and don’t have one for them. Do: Say, “Thank you. How thoughtful.” “It’s my favorite!” (Do not include excuses, “I forgot yours…”)
- You forgot to bring your “Secret Santa” gift. Do: Print out an “IOU” using holiday images, “lunch coupon.” (If there’s time, run to the store on your break.)
- Over-the-top Christmas accessories. Do consider: 1) Are you the only one jingling? (Remove all sound-effects.) 2) Will you be seeing clients? (Tone it down) 3) Do your accessories hinder your job performance?
I hope this holiday season finds you surrounded with laughter, delicious treats, patience, acceptance, time with family and friends, and a lot of peace. “Have a great day!”
For more holiday-related tips:
SF Gate: “You probably shouldn’t buy your boss a gift this holiday”
Business Insider: “Dos and don’ts of office gift exchange”
Good Day Sacramento:
I’m Rosalinda Oropeza Randall, Social Skills and Civility Speaker/Presenter, Media Source, and author of “Don’t Burp in the Boardroom.”
I offer presentations to support HR policies, sales team, managers, as part of the new-hire orientation process, in-home technicians, professional development events, conferences, college/university students, interns. For more information, please contact me.
