Personnel Today
  • Home
    • All PT content
  • Email sign-up
  • Topics
    • HR Practice
    • Employee relations
    • Learning & training
    • Pay & benefits
    • Wellbeing
    • Recruitment & retention
    • HR strategy
    • HR Tech
    • The HR profession
    • Global
    • All HR topics
  • Legal
    • Case law
    • Commentary
    • Flexible working
    • Legal timetable
    • Maternity & paternity
    • Shared parental leave
    • Redundancy
    • TUPE
    • Disciplinary and grievances
    • Employer’s guides
  • AWARDS
    • Personnel Today Awards
    • The RAD Awards
  • Jobs
    • Find a job
    • Jobs by email
    • Careers advice
    • Post a job
  • Brightmine
    • Learn more
    • Products
    • Free trial
    • Request a quote
  • Webinars
  • Advertise
  • OHW+

Personnel Today

Register
Log in
Personnel Today
  • Home
    • All PT content
  • Email sign-up
  • Topics
    • HR Practice
    • Employee relations
    • Learning & training
    • Pay & benefits
    • Wellbeing
    • Recruitment & retention
    • HR strategy
    • HR Tech
    • The HR profession
    • Global
    • All HR topics
  • Legal
    • Case law
    • Commentary
    • Flexible working
    • Legal timetable
    • Maternity & paternity
    • Shared parental leave
    • Redundancy
    • TUPE
    • Disciplinary and grievances
    • Employer’s guides
  • AWARDS
    • Personnel Today Awards
    • The RAD Awards
  • Jobs
    • Find a job
    • Jobs by email
    • Careers advice
    • Post a job
  • Brightmine
    • Learn more
    • Products
    • Free trial
    • Request a quote
  • Webinars
  • Advertise
  • OHW+

Alcohol and drug misuseEmployment lawEquality, diversity and inclusionReligious discriminationWellbeing

Weekly dilemma: Christmas parties to suit a diverse workforce

by Personnel Today 26 Nov 2007
by Personnel Today 26 Nov 2007

We’re trying to organise our Christmas party and it’s proving to be a nightmare. I have a number of Muslim employees in my workforce who are concerned that the normal format revolves around alcohol. I’m worried that if I don’t change it, we could face religious discrimination claims, but if I do, the rest of the workforce is bound to complain. What are our legal obligations?

When planning a Christmas party, it’s important to be aware of the beliefs of your staff, and you’ve already made a good start simply by listening to their concerns. It is now up to you to judge the format of the event so that everyone is able to enjoy themselves, which may involve consulting with them to reach the most appropriate solution.

You should always make sure nobody feels offended or left out when it comes to company celebrations. While Muslim staff may be uncomfortable at a party where people are expected to drink, they may also feel that non-attendance will be frowned upon, or even be a hindrance to the internal networking opportunities that such occasions can provide.

It may involve something as simple as providing a selection of soft drinks or ensuring the venue offers sufficient menu options to meet any specific dietary requirements. On the other hand, it may be necessary to use your imagination and try out something different altogether. It really comes down to using your knowledge of your workplace and your common sense.

Sign up to our weekly round-up of HR news and guidance

Receive the Personnel Today Direct e-newsletter every Wednesday

OptOut
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

It’s also important that you keep an eye on your other employees and how they react to the concerns of a certain group. They may feel disappointed if you break with tradition, which could lead to hostility – and this is a serious issue. Make sure you have robust disciplinary procedures in place to deal with any harassment, whether directed at one person or at a specific group of people.

Judith Watson,
Head of employment,
Cobbetts




Personnel Today

Personnel Today articles are written by an expert team of award-winning journalists who have been covering HR and L&D for many years. Some of our content is attributed to "Personnel Today" for a number of reasons, including: when numerous authors are associated with writing or editing a piece; or when the author is unknown (particularly for older articles).

previous post
AUDIO: Friday Podcast
next post
Kineo explains to E-learning Network how to get more for less

You may also like

Company director wins £15k after being told to...

4 Jul 2025

How can HR prepare for changes to the...

3 Jul 2025

Government publishes ‘roadmap’ for Employment Rights Bill

2 Jul 2025

One in eight senior NHS managers from black...

1 Jul 2025

Employers’ duty of care: keeping workers safe in...

27 Jun 2025

Welfare cuts would ‘undermine workforce inclusion and business...

27 Jun 2025

Progressive DEI policy is a red line for...

27 Jun 2025

When will the Employment Rights Bill become law?

26 Jun 2025

Supporting employees through substance abuse

24 Jun 2025

Seven ways to prepare now for the Employment...

20 Jun 2025

  • Empowering working parents and productivity during the summer holidays SPONSORED | Businesses play a...Read more
  • AI is here. Your workforce should be ready. SPONSORED | From content creation...Read more

PERSONNEL TODAY

About us
Contact us
Browse all HR topics
Email newsletters
Content feeds
Cookies policy
Privacy policy
Terms and conditions

JOBS

Personnel Today Jobs
Post a job
Why advertise with us?

EVENTS & PRODUCTS

The Personnel Today Awards
The RAD Awards
Employee Benefits
Forum for Expatriate Management
OHW+
Whatmedia

ADVERTISING & PR

Advertising opportunities
Features list 2025

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin


© 2011 - 2025 DVV Media International Ltd

Personnel Today
  • Home
    • All PT content
  • Email sign-up
  • Topics
    • HR Practice
    • Employee relations
    • Learning & training
    • Pay & benefits
    • Wellbeing
    • Recruitment & retention
    • HR strategy
    • HR Tech
    • The HR profession
    • Global
    • All HR topics
  • Legal
    • Case law
    • Commentary
    • Flexible working
    • Legal timetable
    • Maternity & paternity
    • Shared parental leave
    • Redundancy
    • TUPE
    • Disciplinary and grievances
    • Employer’s guides
  • AWARDS
    • Personnel Today Awards
    • The RAD Awards
  • Jobs
    • Find a job
    • Jobs by email
    • Careers advice
    • Post a job
  • Brightmine
    • Learn more
    • Products
    • Free trial
    • Request a quote
  • Webinars
  • Advertise
  • OHW+