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When will CIPD stop wishing me a Happy Christmas and start wishing me Happy Holidays?

Debbie Aarons

I have been a member of CIPD for over 20 years and every year the organization sends me an email to wish me a Merry Christmas.  For the past 5 years, I have sent a message directly to CIPD to ask that this message be changed to a more inclusive holiday greeting.  Clearly, this wish is not respected.

As an HR professional, I encourage employers to practice inclusive work practices.  Wishing people a Happy Holidays is inclusive as is Seasons Greetings.  Not all employees celebrate Christmas and I'm sure that this applies to CIPD members too.

I do not take offence each time someone wishes me a Merry Christmas as I appreciate that this is a message of goodwill.  However, this does apply to a professional body such as CIPD.  I see little value in writing about the value of inclusivity if you are not willing to practice this yourself.

Wishing all members of CIPD a peaceful and happy holiday season.

Parents

  • Hi Debbie, thanks for your message, it's interesting to hear different viewpoints.

    We take a varied approach with our seasonal greetings here at the CIPD. Our official cards say Season's greetings, we refer to 'festive' activities quite a lot in messaging as it seems to sum up the general 'vibes' around this time of year. But yes we also refer to Christmas, often in longer messaging pieces, as that's extremely common phrasing for this period, culminating of course in Christmas Day on 25 Dec.

    Having worked with and known some Jehovah's Witnesses for example, I am aware that they (or the ones I know) do not celebrate at all and refer to the period as a holiday. As others have said, we also celebrate other festivals and celebrations to reflect our wide membership (and staff) base and the fact we have offices in other countries such as Singapore and Dubai. I'm sorry your wish to not get that particular greeting via email has not been noted sufficiently and will pass this on to our database team so we can log for this time next year. Our new inclusion resource for CIPD members provided by our friends at Diversiton is now available in the form of a calendar for 2019.

    All the best, Johanna, CIPD Social and Community Manager.

Reply

  • Hi Debbie, thanks for your message, it's interesting to hear different viewpoints.

    We take a varied approach with our seasonal greetings here at the CIPD. Our official cards say Season's greetings, we refer to 'festive' activities quite a lot in messaging as it seems to sum up the general 'vibes' around this time of year. But yes we also refer to Christmas, often in longer messaging pieces, as that's extremely common phrasing for this period, culminating of course in Christmas Day on 25 Dec.

    Having worked with and known some Jehovah's Witnesses for example, I am aware that they (or the ones I know) do not celebrate at all and refer to the period as a holiday. As others have said, we also celebrate other festivals and celebrations to reflect our wide membership (and staff) base and the fact we have offices in other countries such as Singapore and Dubai. I'm sorry your wish to not get that particular greeting via email has not been noted sufficiently and will pass this on to our database team so we can log for this time next year. Our new inclusion resource for CIPD members provided by our friends at Diversiton is now available in the form of a calendar for 2019.

    All the best, Johanna, CIPD Social and Community Manager.

Children
  • in reply to Johanna
    Hi Johanna,

    Thanks so much for your message.

    I haven't lived in UK for many year. Where we live, it is commonplace for large organizations to send messages wishing people Season's Greetings or Happy Holidays. Therefore I was surprised when the email from the CIPD membership, once again, wished me Happy Christmas.

    My family and I have learned a lot from these responses, (particularly the power of responding in CAPs, bold and underlined). We've discussed whether people do need embrace and reflect the culture of the country where they live, and what this means from a practical stance, particularly if you are not Christian.

    We don't celebrate Christmas but appreciate that most people do. My daughter has left early for school today as she has a breakfast with Santa, and when we go for our walk on Christmas morning, we will be wished, and will wish, people a Happy Christmas.

    Its great to hear that CIPD is recognizing other holidays on twitter. I won't opt out of emails, as suggested by one member as I enjoy receiving content and learning from the association. I may opt out of contributing to this discussion forum.

    Wishing you all the best over the festive season,

    Debbie
  • in reply to Debbie Aarons

    Hi Debbie,

    Debbie Aarons said:
    We don't celebrate Christmas but appreciate that most people do. My daughter has left early for school today as she has a breakfast with Santa,

    I am a little confused... and I did say yesterday that I thought we should all move on... but we haven't.

    I think we should interpret your opening post as basically a personal request to CIPD and as Johanna said, we have noted your preference and have passed this on to our database team.

    I hope we don't 'lose' you from contributing over this.

    ps I don't really like to see block caps either.

  • in reply to Debbie Aarons
    Yes Debbie -please don't stop visiting the forums - I do appreciate your main point was the request to CIPD on a personal note.

    I missed that point entirely- And I do agree that the point should have been picked up by them.

    Seasons greetings where ever you live. :-)
  • in reply to Debbie Aarons

    Hi Debbie thanks for explaining your take on the holiday season - that Christmas walk sounds lovely! We're an inclusive organisation and this community values difference. Our membership marketing team have made note of your preferences for next year. We look forward to your continued participation in the community - you're very welcome to be here. 

    All the best Johanna