As countries become more interconnected–whether through the Internet or migration–office spaces have become increasingly more diverse. It is no longer uncommon to see people of varying ethnicities, beliefs, and backgrounds working together in a single environment.

And this diversity comes with several perks. Not only does a diverse workforce help expose individuals to people from outside their communities, but it also boosts company performance. A 2020 study reported by McKinsey & Company, a global management consulting firm, revealed that companies with ethnic diversity are 36 percent more likely to do better compared to less diverse companies.

Indeed, there are a lot of advantages to having a diverse team of employees, but it comes with nuanced challenges as well. One of these is celebrating holidays, particularly the period from November to December when several festivities happen concurrently. These events often stem from deep religious and cultural beliefs that many people value. In support of their employees, company management must respect the observation of these special days and may even choose to host company celebrations to foster better camaraderie among their people.

To expound further, here is a quick guide that you and your company can use in celebrating holidays in a diverse office.

Be Aware of Regular and Secular Practices and Traditions

The first step starts with awareness. The company needs to recognize that its employees come from varying backgrounds, each with their unique worldviews and celebrations. After recognizing it, the company must familiarize itself with the different practices and events that each religious or secular alignment has. The Internet is a valuable research tool in these cases, but you can also turn to popular digital tools. The Muslim Pro app, for example, is an excellent resource for Islam-related practices and beliefs and can give you a bird’s eye view of many aspects of Islam.

Form a Diverse Planning Committee

One of the most effective ways to properly handle the preparation for holidays and celebrations is to form a committee designated for it. The committee will be responsible for creating an inclusive schedule, deciding the decorations, and arranging any events for particular holidays. It stands to reason that this committee should be diverse as well. The company must include individuals from different backgrounds who can give supported input and more insight into their practices and their communities.

Create an Interfaith Calendar

An interfaith calendar, as the name implies, jots down all the holidays and events of different secular and religious groups in a year. It could be a shared online calendar distributed to employee accounts or a physical calendar handed out to workers. The main goal is to inform the people of all upcoming events, so they can prepare accordingly. For example, as Chinese New Year approaches, the committee can hand out a memo encouraging employees to wear something red in celebration of the holiday.

Provide Variety in Food Options

Where there is a celebration, tables of food are never too far. However, the company and committee must be very careful about the food they decide to serve at the party. Different affiliations have varying restrictions on what their followers can and should not eat, so it is critical to stay on top of the food options the party is serving. For example, there are groups of people who don’t eat meat, such as Buddhists, Hindus, and secular vegans. Muslims only eat halal foods, and Jews stick to kosher.

Additionally, some people are also sensitive in how the foods are placed next to each other on the table (e.g. meat next to vegetarian foods). As such, it may be best to place different food groups at separate tables, ensuring that people’s boundaries are respected.

Use Celebrations as an Opportunity to Inform

Aside from observing customs, holidays are an excellent opportunity to spread awareness about another group of people’s beliefs. Take Ramadan, for instance. The month-long celebration is a chance to spread more awareness about Islam and dispel myths and misconceptions about it and its followers. For reference, you can turn to the Muslim Pro app LinkedIn page for an extensive list of its features, including prayer times, local halal establishments, Quran readings, and nearby mosques. Now apply this method to other denominations. The committee can prepare informational posters set up around the company and send out holiday email blasts to raise awareness of the upcoming event.

Observe Inclusive Holiday Greetings, Gifts, and Decor

Inclusivity does not stop at informing others. It needs to take a tangible form as well. Thus, when celebrating a holiday season, take extra care with your word choice at greetings, selected decorations, and the promotional gifts the company gives away. For example, in December, instead of saying “Merry Christmas”, greet with a “Happy Holidays” instead. Rather than using primarily red and green decor, opt for company colors or an assorted color palette to signal the festivities. In this manner, you can properly recognize the diversity of the company and show everyone that they are valued.

At the end of the day, however, the key to celebrating events in a diverse office is open communication with your colleagues. Invite input, suggestions, and feedback, so the company can work at making the office an open, safe, and diverse space that people from all backgrounds will be able to appreciate and enjoy.