WOVC....I have read your posts regarding your workplace and Christmas. I tend to agree with your views on topics the majority of the time. I may agree with your view on this one in particular, but I have questions...
When you say the Christmas party and rituals are being "shoved down your co-workers throat", what exactly do you mean? Surely, this co-worker isn't penalized or disciplined in any way for not partaking in the activities, right? I think that the extent of "being shoved down her throat" was being included on a list of email recipients who are being invited to the party, and possibly discussing it, right? Although you said that she has worked there a long time and has informed everyone that she doesn't celebrate Christmas, I'm not sure how still being invited to the office festivities is considered being shoved down her throat and rude, as you called it earlier. I just don't see how being invited to something is considered RUDE, just because you don't want to go for whatever the reason. So, if she simply ignores these invites, what happens? Does a group of office workers crowd around her desk and berate her for not wanting to participate? Do coworkers say that what she believes is stupid? Do the people who attend get Christmas bonuses? If those things were happening, then yes, I would say that is rude and it was being shoved down her throat. But if she is simply being invited, and chooses not to respond or attend, and everyone is 'okay' with that, then how is it being shoved down her throat?
On the flip side of the coin, I know a couple of workplaces that, if using the work email system to make plans or invites to social functions, that it is supposed to be with a company-wide distribution---or a department-wide distribution, or particular office. The reason for this is to avoid any kind of perception of discrimination. Certainly, if the person says "Don't invite me", then of course it isn't discrimination, but it could still be looked upon as that. Kind of like in my little boys classroom---he can give out invitations to his birthday party on school time to kids in his class ONLY if he gives them to EVERYONE in the class, to avoid hurt feelings. If he wants to invite only a select few, then the inviting must be done on his own time. Makes sense.
Now, if someone in the workplace isn't included in department-wide functions and at least given the opportunity to accept or decline, then I could certainly see that as being a human resource issue and akin to discrimation, for whatever reason.
My workplace has a large Christmas BBQ every year, and it is called the "Family Christmas BBQ". Everyone is invited to attend, via posters and mass email. They start sending out emails about 4 weeks prior, and reminder emails 2 weeks later, one week later and again a couple days prior. All in all, there are about 5 emails regarding the party. Those that do not celebrate Christmas are not offended. They don't view it as rude, or that their beliefs are being belittled, or the fact that it is being shoved down their throat.
My point is that, in my opinion, in order for it to be rude or considered to be "shoved down their throats", don't you think it would take more than simply being included in the invite list????
