A lot of people in a lot of offices all around UC Davis are thinking about the holidays.

Christmas, mainly, because U.S. culture is driven by the Christian calendar. But, to be more inclusive in this day and age, university employees often put a generic "holiday" label on their decorations and celebrations.

"How are you being diverse when you tell people they can't say 'Christmas'?" asked Transportation and Parking Services' officer Scott Futymoski, one of 15 staff members who attended a recent program titled "Understanding Religious Differences in the Workplace."

The fact is, program leaders said, there is no such prohibition on uttering the word "Christmas." Nor are there any related policies, for example, on decorations or potlucks.

Instead, the UC Davis administration urges communication within work units, so employees know about one another's cultures and beliefs — "so that all members of the community are respected," according to a directive from the chancellor's office. The directive further states: "Every consideration should be given to ensure that we are respectful and inclusive of the clients, guests and colleagues who interact with us."

Marlene Belz, graduate program assistant in the geology department, noted during the recent workshop: "You can exclude somebody without even knowing it, because they won't say anything."

This is why communication is so important, said Karen Roth, one of the program leaders. Talk to one another, she advised. "If we know what one another celebrates, then by all means let's give one another good wishes" — even "Merry Christmas."

"The important message is not to assume that everyone would appreciate being wished a 'Merry Christmas' if it's not what they celebrate," Roth said.

The chancellor's directive states that UC Davis "can play a role in fostering an awareness of, and respect for, the various spiritual and cultural beliefs, practices and needs of our community."

Roth and her co-leaders urged staff to remember their colleagues on their important days — which are not necessarily on or around Dec. 25. Eastern Orthodox faiths, for example, celebrate Christmas in January.

Roth, coordinator of the campus's Diversity Education Program, led the recent workshop with the assistance of Lisa Brodkey, director of Sexual Harassment Education, and Binnie Singh, director of faculty relations. Each spoke of their faiths and beliefs, and urged campus staff to talk with their co-workers about their holiday celebrations — when they are and what they are for.

People should not assume, for example, "that they know what it's like to be Jewish because they have seen 'Fiddler on the Roof,'" Brodkey said.

Judaism's high holy days are Rosh Hashanah and, 10 days later, Yom Kippur – usually in September or October. Hanukkah, a Jewish holiday that comes around Christmastime, ranks lower in significance.

Brodkey, who is Jewish, explained that Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are times of deep introspection, when Jews can have difficulty doing their best at work. "All those (religious) services and all that introspection change my focus and my energy level," she said after the workshop.

"Similarly, when Muslim colleagues observe Ramadan, it's a monthlong period of fasting during daylight hours, so they may also be caught in that cultural conflict between their personal, religious lives and a workplace culture that allows for little if any accommodation," Brodkey said.

Roth said campus managers each year should note on their calendars the important days for all faiths, and avoid scheduling important events or meetings on those dates.

Celebrate differences

The program leaders also noted the importance of speaking up for co-workers of other faiths.

"It's incredibly wonderful when someone else says, 'Hey, we shouldn't plan that big meeting on Rosh Hashanah,' " Brodkey said.

And try to learn the appropriate greetings for important days in other faiths. Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish new year, and "Happy Rosh Hashanah" is an appropriate greeting, Brodkey said. But, she added, a "happy" greeting is not appropriate for Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, when many Jews fast. A traditional greeting is "Have an easy fast."

Brodkey said employees should not be fearful of throwing a party with Christmas as the theme, "instead of trying to throw in everything under the sun" for a "holiday" party.

The key, the program leaders said, is to plan similar events at other times of the year to celebrate other special days, like Rosh Hashanah, Eastern Orthodox Christmas, Cinco de Mayo or Diwali, the Indian festival of lights, celebrated by Hindus and Sikhs. Roth noted that the UC Davis student body is about 40 percent Asian, yet there is little if any celebration of the lunar new year — an important time in several Asian cultures.

Program participants asked about the appropriateness of gift exchanges, for example, when not all employees want to be included.

Roth, Brodkey and Singh said first and foremost, managers and employee groups should ask themselves what their goal is in having a get-together: Is it for camaraderie, or food, or just to take a break from work?

"All these things are great," Brodkey said, "but stay focused on the goal a little longer, and ask yourselves if a gift exchange that doesn't include everyone achieves your goal."

A solution may be to make the gift exchange a separate event for the people who enjoy this activity, she said.

Another way to be inclusive of differing beliefs is to organize social events more than once a year, not just at Christmastime, Roth said.

Or, if there is to be only one such gathering annually, Roth said, consider whether it needs to be in December.

"It doesn't have to be limited to a holiday or a birthday," Roth said.

Moving a get-together to a different month can acknowledge someone else's special day, and at the same time take some of the crunch out of people's December calendars.

The program leaders urged people to talk with their co-workers about potluck preparations — and ask about types of meat, for example, that might not be eaten by people of some faiths.

"Making some of these simple accommodations can foster a work environment where everyone feels included," Roth said.

For more information, contact the Diversity Education Program, 752-2071.