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Boss Says That Christmas Time Off Is Only For Christians, Employee Replies “I’m Not Coming”
Interview With Expert
I think most people would agree that the Christmas season is one of the most beautiful periods. It’s a time when homes become even cozier, everybody shares kindness and becomes more sentimental. Kids are patiently waiting for Santa Claus’ visit, adults are preparing tables and the whole family gathers together.
Even if you are not Christian, Christmas is the time to spend time with family. But as it turns out, not everybody thinks so. One Reddit user shared their story after they heard from their boss that Christmas is not for non-Christians and it’s going to be treated like a regular work day.
More info: Reddit
RELATED:
While Christmas officially may be a Christian celebration, everybody wants to spend these days with family
Image credits: Jonathan Borba (not the actual photo)
Person shares that their boss insists that everybody who is not Christian should come to work on both the 25th and 26th of December
Image credits: fauxels (not the actual photo)
The employee informed him that they have plans to visit their family on these days
Image credits: u/Im_Barry_AMA
The boss stated that it’s a regular day for non-Christians, making the employee furious about this failure to notice the double standards
A few days ago, a Reddit user took their story online to rant to its community members after their boss insisted they work on Christmas days because they are not Christian. The post received a lot of attention and in just 3 days it collected almost 8K upvotes and more than 1.1K comments.
The original poster (OP) of this story starts by saying that according to their boss, anyone that isn’t Christian should come to work on both Christmas days. OP informed him that they’re not coming to work as they plan on visiting and spending these days with their family.
The boss then came up with the argument that this holiday is only for Christians and for everybody else, it’s going to be treated like a regular work day. Well, OP stood their ground and stated that they’re not going to come to work, nor use their PTO just because they’re not Christian.
Community members backed up the author, discussed the double standards and offered suggestions on how to deal with this situation. “Sounds like religious discrimination, which is a federal crime,” one user wrote. “You should tell him about countries like Japan that celebrate Christmas despite no one being Christian. Millions and millions of non-Christians celebrate Christmas,” another added.
Image credits: Pavel Danilyuk (not the actual photo)
You may wonder what employees can actually do when they face discriminatory policies. Well, Deb Falzoi, who is the founder of Dignity Together, End Workplace Abuse and host of the “Screw the Hierarchy” podcast, shared with Bored Panda that there are actually a few options. “Firstly, they may be able to take leave through FMLA or short- or long-term disability if the stress affects their health, but before, it’s important to consult with an employment lawyer found through NELA.org.
Also, “they can decide if their workplace aligns with their values and if not, put a safety plan in place to leave the toxic work environment through a temporary job, another job, a new business venture, or a break from work if they have a financial cushion,” she emphasizes. Or employees may be able to file a complaint with the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunities Commission) and/or state human rights commission after consulting with an employment lawyer to get a right to sue letter.
Now, it’s obvious that a hostile work environment, especially during festive seasons, can affect an employee’s well-being and mental health. Deb emphasizes that it can result in mental and emotional harm such a loss of self-worth, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.“ Targets also bring the depression home to their children, who lose parental support due to their rumination,” she notes.
Sometimes employees are afraid to address workplace conflicts as it may simply jeopardize their career, Deb shares that honest conversations may work with healthy managers, but they only work when both parties care about each other’s interests.
“Conflict resolution is not the goal of toxic managers who prioritize power and control. When employees speak up in toxic work environments, they pose a threat to insecure managers, who often construct a false narrative about the employee to position them as incompetent and to push them out,” she explains.
So what do you think about this situation? How would you suggest the OP act in this situation? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Redditors shared their opinions on what the author should do in this situation
Image credits: Christina Morillo (not the actual photo)
What do you think ?
CryingChildKinnie 2 years ago
As a Christian, this is one of the stupidest things I've ever heard and DEFINITELY discrimination based on religion which I'm pretty sure is illegal.
Donald 2 years ago
100% is illegal, I would have been as polite as possible and asked for that in writing and promptly took his a*s to court.
Load More Replies...
Kat Lyle 2 years ago
As someone with vague pagan leaning, I recently had a discussion with my christian father about how christmas was borrowed then formalised and that actually it was solstice feast long before they decided it was christian... Honestly, every year someone stirs the pot about "we're not alllowed to celebrate Xmas" - and yet here's the shoe on the other foot.
María Hermida 2 years ago
Whatever you are, you are allowed to celebrate what you want, and to give every celebration the meaning you feel like. As long as you respect other believers, nobody can prevent you from celebrating.
Load More Replies...
ॐBoyGanesh 2 years ago (edited)
My family runs a beach resort. We’re definitely open Christmas and all other holidays. We run on a full crew as we’re usually at full occupancy. There is no performance dinner (Hula) on the special grounds on 25th. We allow staff to volunteer first then we schedule based on individual needs. We don’t ask non-Christians first. We pay double time, use the performance grounds for Christmas buffet all day for employees & their families. Each one of them gets a gift (kids, spouses, cousins; every family member) & we have big ticket giveaways. Employees can take their breaks on the grounds & each get a 1.5 hour “lunch” break. As we hire generational (we grandmas hired in the 70s & their grandkids hired in the 20’s) with over 50% staff having more than 1 family member employed. Some families plan their holiday around us. It’s never been a problem. Many of our guests are regular & generational & tip out bills to any & all staff they see or have special gifts for staff they know.
Tabitha 2 years ago (edited)
Are you hiring? I’ll gladly relocate if the position can’t be done from home—-and even if it is, I’ll still fly out for Christmas.
Load More Replies... Libstak 2 years ago
So is it a national public holiday or not? Can't see how this can be legal for the business to do without bringing religion into it. The fact he did means he favours Christians and discriminates against non Christians during a nationally recognised holiday applicable to all workers equally.
Michael Largey 2 years ago
For businesses, the law is only what helps them.
Load More Replies...
Cyber Returns 2 years ago
Tell him you celebrate Saturnalia which existed long before the birth of Christ and more closely resembles todays version of Christmas than the Christian version in which the celebrated birth of Jesus existed nearly a millennia afterwards. Around 350 AD, Pope Julius I officially declared December 25th to mark the birth of Christ. Another point to consider, in the bible when Jesus was born, the shepherds watched their flocks by night which only happened during lambing season which is in the spring making his birthday around March/April so in conclusion: Christians should not be celebrating Christmas if you take everything as literally as your boss
Miss Frankfurter 2 years ago
Thanks for bringing up the whole lambing thing being only in spring back then. Just ask any sheep farmer.
Load More Replies...
Seedy Vine 2 years ago
If I have to put up with the religious all year 'round, I'm definitely celebrating their holidays! I earned them, dammit.
Michael Largey 2 years ago
Never mention your religion at work in the first place. I worked for a Catholic school, but nowhere in the application or my interview was I asked about my religion. I worked there for 25 years, and they still didn't know when I retired.
CryingChildKinnie 2 years ago
As a Christian, this is one of the stupidest things I've ever heard and DEFINITELY discrimination based on religion which I'm pretty sure is illegal.
Donald 2 years ago
100% is illegal, I would have been as polite as possible and asked for that in writing and promptly took his a*s to court.
Load More Replies... Kat Lyle 2 years ago
As someone with vague pagan leaning, I recently had a discussion with my christian father about how christmas was borrowed then formalised and that actually it was solstice feast long before they decided it was christian... Honestly, every year someone stirs the pot about "we're not alllowed to celebrate Xmas" - and yet here's the shoe on the other foot.
María Hermida 2 years ago
Whatever you are, you are allowed to celebrate what you want, and to give every celebration the meaning you feel like. As long as you respect other believers, nobody can prevent you from celebrating.
Load More Replies... ॐBoyGanesh 2 years ago (edited)
My family runs a beach resort. We’re definitely open Christmas and all other holidays. We run on a full crew as we’re usually at full occupancy. There is no performance dinner (Hula) on the special grounds on 25th. We allow staff to volunteer first then we schedule based on individual needs. We don’t ask non-Christians first. We pay double time, use the performance grounds for Christmas buffet all day for employees & their families. Each one of them gets a gift (kids, spouses, cousins; every family member) & we have big ticket giveaways. Employees can take their breaks on the grounds & each get a 1.5 hour “lunch” break. As we hire generational (we grandmas hired in the 70s & their grandkids hired in the 20’s) with over 50% staff having more than 1 family member employed. Some families plan their holiday around us. It’s never been a problem. Many of our guests are regular & generational & tip out bills to any & all staff they see or have special gifts for staff they know.
Tabitha 2 years ago (edited)
Are you hiring? I’ll gladly relocate if the position can’t be done from home—-and even if it is, I’ll still fly out for Christmas.
Load More Replies... Libstak 2 years ago
So is it a national public holiday or not? Can't see how this can be legal for the business to do without bringing religion into it. The fact he did means he favours Christians and discriminates against non Christians during a nationally recognised holiday applicable to all workers equally.
Michael Largey 2 years ago
For businesses, the law is only what helps them.
Load More Replies... Cyber Returns 2 years ago
Tell him you celebrate Saturnalia which existed long before the birth of Christ and more closely resembles todays version of Christmas than the Christian version in which the celebrated birth of Jesus existed nearly a millennia afterwards. Around 350 AD, Pope Julius I officially declared December 25th to mark the birth of Christ. Another point to consider, in the bible when Jesus was born, the shepherds watched their flocks by night which only happened during lambing season which is in the spring making his birthday around March/April so in conclusion: Christians should not be celebrating Christmas if you take everything as literally as your boss
Miss Frankfurter 2 years ago
Thanks for bringing up the whole lambing thing being only in spring back then. Just ask any sheep farmer.
Load More Replies... Seedy Vine 2 years ago
If I have to put up with the religious all year 'round, I'm definitely celebrating their holidays! I earned them, dammit.
Michael Largey 2 years ago
Never mention your religion at work in the first place. I worked for a Catholic school, but nowhere in the application or my interview was I asked about my religion. I worked there for 25 years, and they still didn't know when I retired.
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