we don't use the word christmas at work is this wrong

[armanimick]

because we are a multinational company. The word Christmas is replaced by Festive and it offends me that the word is being dropped to suit others when we are basically a christian county... Can I raise a grievance ?

[kjc]

It's best not to upset the applecart there. The company are taking the easy way by not making an issue of the word Christmas.
I don't think you can say that we are a Christian country either.
Best keep your beliefs to yourself and the inner world of your family and friends, and do not say anything at work.
It's the same all over the country with political correctness gone mad.....and your small voice will probably only get you into trouble with your bosses.
:-)

[armanimick]

kjc thank you but if we don't speak up we'll end up losing everything.. what can they do sack me... if you read my post last night you'll see why i'm incensed... thanks

[kjc]

I can't find your post from last night....and no I didn't read it.

And Iwill answer your question again...'can I raise a grievance?'

yes, you can if you wish, that is your choice. I was only giving my opinion as to why I thought it was a bad idea.
You are allowed to practise your religion just as the next man is. But your company is probably taking the peaceful way out without any comebacks from other religions making a fuss and causing media coverage.

[landscaper2]

Let the company call it what they like, but for your own peace of mind, just carry on as normal speaking of Christmas to your colleagues. Dont get too twitchy over it, then, when the time is right for you to move on, tell them what you think - after you've had your reference!!

[naomi24]

I'm not sure how far you'd get with a grievance procedure, but if your principles are that strong, then it's worth investigating. Are you required to call other religious festivals by another name? My guess is no. I would certainly continue to call Christmas 'Christmas'.

[Teddio]

You clearly find this offensive so you are entitled to raise a grievance. Unlike some other religions, Christians aren't militant enough so they're trodden on with impunity. Unfortunately the writing was on the wall when the word Christmas was replaced by the non-word "Xmas" and, even worse, "Crimbo"

[baileybird]

You will find these days if you step inside churches that the percentage of practicing christians in this country is nanno percent. This would indicate that actually not too many people are interested in carrying on christian culture. If I were you I would leave well alone as you could very easily alienate lots of non-christians (me included - white english by the way) and generally make your life unpleasant at work. Work is no place for religions anyway unless it is exctly that - a religious environment.

[Lil O'lady]

Do you work for pay, or did you select this company for their ethics and style? If you prefer ethics and style make a fuss. If you prefer the pay, take he pay and let them call it Midwinter Jellysling if it suits them. As long as you get your pay.

[Ethel]

baileybird - all the Christian churches local to me are very active, including Church of England, Methodist, Seventh Day Evangelist, Salvation Army and the Reformed Episcopal.

Maybe you live in a heathen area or simply don't go to Church. :)

Raise a grievance, armanimick, bang the drum and send Christmas cards out. :)

[puss_boots]

As you say you work in a multinational company I would hope that all other religious celebrations are referred to as Festive. the one that comes to mind is Eid al-Fitr the Festival of Breaking the Fast.

[dot.hawkes]

The company can call it what they like but you will still call it christmas. they can't tell you what word to use, It's not New year for some people on Jan 1st, so what are they changing that to?

[Whickerman]

I think that the use of christmas, festival, holidays or any other term is horribly offensive in OCTOBER!

[S.K.SWEDEN]

.....what county do you live in....is it Essex.....?

[baileybird]

Ethel - I do not live in a heathen area and I do go to church actually as my parents are devout christians and although I am not I do like to support my community. You seem to be SO knowledgeable on SO many different subjects. How do you know all this information!!!???
armanimick is paid a wage to do a job and not to raise ridiculous grievances about petty things that she does not agree with or to have an opinion on legal managerial decisions!
You go ahead and make a grievance - you will NOT be a popular person with you rmanagement and it will do your career no good whatsoever.

[THECORBYLOON]

Teddio "X" has been used to represent "Ch" for centuries. The Oxford English Dictionary has a 1551 example X'temmas" so Xmas is not as recent as folk think.

[THECORBYLOON]

It may be a Christian country but how many folk are practising Christians, are you? When was the last time you went to church? Do you go to church on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?

[baileybird]

well done corbyloon. I agree. Hypocrites trally get on my nerved. I don't mean you armanimick if you are a regular worshipper.

[Lucy-Thomas]

Kjc. It's precisely because of attitudes like yours that companies get away with this PC nonsense. He should indeed kick up a fuss and continue to use the word Christmas at every given opportunity.

The amount of people in church on a Sunday is irrelevant regarding Britain's status as a Christian country. The Christian Church is indelibly linked with the state and that would only change by an act of parliament not because church attendances were falling.

[baileybird]

ooo er - you've gone and done it now KJC!!!!!

[saxy_jag]

I think you'd be on sticky ground raising a formal grievance unless you can be assured of a good deal of backup from your colleagues. Even then, being allowed to celebrate festivals isn't actually a part of the job and isn't essential to working conditions.

Play them at their own game. Refuse to wish anyone Happy Festive and refuse to accept greetings of a similar nature. Tell them thanks, but you don't happen to celebrate/believe in that particular festival so you won't join in. Tell them you're going to celebrate Christmas - yes, be a devil and say the word, because they'd have a hard time if they want to sack you for saying it - you're going to celebrate Christmas privately and if they'd like to join you outside work to do so, then that's up to them.

Personally I think there's nothing better for international and multi-cultural understanding than sharing each other's festivals. We have loads of Sikh, Hindu and Muslim people working in our organisations, plus a fair few Christians, Pagans, Wiccans and atheists too. It's great. We've just had Eid and are now in the middle of Diwali celebrations. There's always something to look forward to.