Carlton Logan’s Post

It's the most wonderful time of the year ❄️🎅🏻🎄 ... But it's not always magical for everyone! Christmas is an emotionally charged time with big expectations. It's important for businesses to remember not everyone celebrates Christmas - and for those who do, it can be a time of mixed emotions. So, what can you do to be an inclusive employer? Check out our feature in this month's Northern Insight magazine and find out our advice on Christmas parties and bringing your team together ❤️ #hrconsultancy #newcastleupontyne

I am not being a Grinch, but when you plan your end of year parties (deliberately not using the 'C' word) you have to consider everyone. Your whole team must feel included, the celebration should embrace the uniqueness of each team member's background and traditions to not only make the celebration more meaningful but also contribute to a positive and inclusive workplace culture. So if you haven’t already planned it all out, here are some top inclusivity tips:- Inclusive decorations - chose them to represent all holiday celebrations so they resonate with everyone. Why not ask team members to contribute decorations that reflect their own traditions? Inclusive menus and drinks - it’s an easy one, but you can get carried away when pigs in blankets are on the list. Been there 😳 Inclusive music - celebrate the diverse religions and cultural backgrounds of all your team through music and dance. Inclusive time and accessibility - be mindful of when your party is, some of your team may have religious observances. Consider where you hold the party, is it fully accessible? Could you provide transport to ensure everyone can attend. Inclusive invitations - don’t forget to invite ALL staff, even those on leave (family or sick), who only work from home or are on a sabbatical. Inclusive atmosphere - set out some conduct rules, make sure everyone gets to enjoy the event without the unwelcome behaviour. And with all that ticked off you are ready to let your hair down and have an absolute ball. Make it a celebration to remember. But remember - I want pictures 📷 #InclusiveWorkplaces #Celebrations #RespectForAll

Planning Your Workplace Christmas Party? Don’t Forget Cultural Diversity!   As we approach the end of August, many workplaces are already booking their Christmas celebrations. But before finalising your plans, have you considered how to make this event inclusive for everyone on your team?   At A Taste of Harmony, we’ve developed a series of fact sheets to help organisations navigate common challenges related to cultural diversity including navigating Christmas.   Please take a couple of minutes to consider our tips to ensure you are planning an inclusive Christmas celebration:   ·     Involve Your Team: Begin by consulting your team to understand their preferences and what’s important to them during this time of year. This ensures everyone feels valued and included. ·     Set a Purpose: Clearly define the goal of your celebration. Is it to thank your team for their hard work? To foster unity? Whatever the purpose, make sure it’s inclusive. ·     Open Communication: Encourage team members to share their cultural or religious traditions if they feel comfortable. This can help create a richer, more diverse celebration. ·     Catering to All: Be mindful of dietary restrictions and preferences, especially for team members who observe religious practices that may affect their participation in certain festivities. With these considerations, you can create an event that everyone can enjoy together.   As the year winds down, everyone’s eager to relax, unwind, and celebrate together. With a bit of thoughtful planning in advance, you can ensure that your end-of-year bash is a hit with everyone!   Visit our website to explore all 10 fact sheets and continue the conversation about cultural diversity in your workplace.   #CulturalDiversity #ChristmasPlanning #InclusiveWorkplace #ATasteOfHarmony

"For most  Black professionals, nothing induces anxiety like an office Christmas party.” - Grio article Research confirms that social events at work can create stress or discomfort particularly for People of Color (and for many others!) because they don't feel safe disclosing personal information or don't feel like they fit into the social conversations being had. You are not alone, 29% of all employees don't really enjoy the office holiday party. (Perkbox Survey) #UnwrittenWorkplaceRule: Even managers who say the party is optional often care if you skip it and you risk being perceived as less engaged with your job or your team. These are unfair assumptions but are the reality of many work environments. ❗ My advice: Go to the holiday party❗ Here are some tactics to navigate this year's holiday party: 1. Find a buddy to go with:  Rather if it’s your work bestie or your cubicle neighbor, having a go-to person to walk in with, and even network with, can make the night go by with a lot less awkwardness. 2. Make a goal for your time there:  Set an intention for your time…for example, try to meet 4 new people that you can follow up with. 3. Volunteer to help:  Offer to manage the refreshments, set out decorations, or help organizers hand out gifts. Having an activity to do can make the small talk less awkward and give you a topic of discussion. 4. Say hello to team members:  If you only want to show your face and mingle for a short while, don't leave without having said hello to your manager and team members. 🙏🏾 With all that said, above all else, protect your peace. If you truly do not want to go, don't go. However, recognize that there are career-oriented and social capital benefits to attending these events, and frankly most people are feeling the awkwardness of it--even if they don't show it. #DEI #TheNecessaryJourney #WorkplaceUtopia

🎉 Bringing in the New Year: A Corporate Party Tale 🎉 As the countdown to the New Year approaches, I couldn't help but reminisce about a hilariously memorable corporate bash that brought together work camaraderie and a touch of unexpected fun! Picture this: It was the annual New Year's corporate party, a time when colleagues traded suits for party attire and let loose, ready to bid adieu to the year gone by. As the evening unfolded, the dance floor beckoned, and what ensued was a mix of dazzling dance moves and, well, some not-so-coordinated attempts. Amidst the sea of enthusiastic colleagues dancing to the beats, there was the unforgettable sight of our CEO showing off his “unique” dance style, proving that leadership skills extend beyond the boardroom! Then came the highlight – the karaoke session! Who knew that our finance director had such a hidden talent for hitting those high notes? The entire room erupted in cheers and applause, creating an atmosphere that blended celebration with sheer amusement. Of course, no corporate party is complete without the photobooth shenanigans. Picture this: colleagues squeezing into the booth, donning goofy props, and capturing moments that would undoubtedly become legendary office lore. Amidst the laughter and merriment, it was a delightful reminder that beyond our titles and roles, we're a team that knows how to unwind and create unforgettable memories together. The New Year's corporate party was not just a celebration; it was a testament to the incredible bonds and the unique blend of personalities that make our workplace feel like a second family. What about you? Any hilarious memories or standout moments from your corporate New Year's party? Share your tales, and let's kick off the New Year with laughter and good vibes! 🥳🎊 #CorporatePartyChronicles #NewYearsCelebration #WorkplaceFun #TeamBonding

In the bustling world of corporate culture, where calendars are often dotted with traditional holidays and observances, a realm of peculiar and unconventional holidays is waiting to be embraced. These offbeat occasions provide unique opportunities to foster camaraderie, express appreciation, and strengthen relationships with clients, partners, and colleagues. 💼👔 Like Administrative Professionals Day, each obscure holiday is a chance for your brand to go above and beyond and show your human side. Let’s delve into the realm of obscure holidays and discover the perfect moments to send thoughtful corporate gifts. https://hubs.li/Q02zSG0C0

For many organizations and managers, this is the season to show appreciation. With the spirit of the holidays, under the distracting buzz of year-end activities, holiday planning, general festivities, bonuses, gifts and other friendly gestures choke the real and virtual halls of organizations to celebrate the employees that made the achievements of the year possible.   Over many years, I have partaken in this ritual both as a giver and receiver of these appreciations. Some were fantastic, some were routine, and a few have stuck with me as brilliant lessons on the true nature of inclusion.   Here are two of them: #NoBias #humanresources #inclusion

Announce can help you increase your employees' involvement levels. Announce creates tailored and personalized announcements for celebrating special personal occasions like birthdays, weddings, or newborns, which will increase your employees' sense of belonging and create a friendly work environment. If you want to know more, visit the link in the first comment below. #Corporate_With_A_Voice

Maybe this is a controversial take, but I'm going to go for it anyway. I think it's time we re-visit the concept of the holiday office party or trade association holiday party. It's December--I don't know a single human who wants to finish their work day and have to do more work things. They'd much prefer to be with their families or friends (or quietly on the couch by themselves). Yet, every day, I see pictures of people from office parties or trade association parties to celebrate Christmas/holidays, and I'm certain that at least half the people in the picture have no interest in being there. They are there because it's work and they have to be. The general concept of a holiday party, as I understand it, is to boost morale (if it's an office party) or to allow people to network (if it's a trade association party). But do we actually ask the people who's morale we are trying to boost if they want to be there? If they do--great! Host a party! If they don't--great! Don't host a party! Maybe you put that money saved on not hosting the party to a good cause--or the employees--or even the employer's pockets. But now a bunch of people got some time back! Do we actually want to network in December? We've had a whole year for it! And we'll have all of next year too! And, if people so badly want to network, they can do so without the party! I'm not a grinch. I like celebration. If you're going to have a celebration, think about doing it during office time (without consequence for work not getting done). If you can't do it during office time, think about maybe just not having one. Please let me know if I'm wrong! Genuinely curious about this!

Here are a few reasons why some companies choose not to celebrate Christmas: 1. Inclusive work environment - Some companies want to ensure they are being inclusive of all employees and not assuming everyone celebrates Christmas. With increasingly diverse workforces, some companies opt for more general holiday celebrations or winter parties without explicit Christmas themes. 2. Cost savings - Holding a Christmas party and buying decorations costs money. Some companies, especially smaller businesses, forego Christmas celebrations to save money. 3. Religious reasons - While Christmas has become quite secular in many cultures, it still retains religious roots. Companies that want to maintain full religious neutrality may avoid overtly celebrating Christmas for that reason. This is especially relevant for some government agencies due to separation of church and state. 4. Increase productivity - Some companies believe celebrating Christmas takes away from work time when employees are more focused on the parties and festivities than working. They may limit celebrations in the interest of productivity. 5. Legal concerns - There have been some lawsuits over the years concerning workplace Christmas celebrations making some uncomfortable. So some legal departments have recommended toning down Christmas themes to avoid any issues. The decision often comes down to company culture, diversity priorities, the nature of the work, and the backgrounds of employees. But those are some of the potential factors that influence corporate policies around whether to celebrate Christmas or take a more neutral stance.