As we say goodbye to another month, end-of-year activities and Christmas function plans are coming to the fore.
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It is a time when we think about family traditions, festive foods, carols, decorations, spending time with loved ones and gift giving.
A popular workplace activity is the gift exchange, aka Secret Santa.
People from other countries, particularly recently arrived and with limited Australian work experience, may not necessarily be familiar with what constitutes a typical Christmas in workplaces.
An invitation to participate in Secret Santa with a $20 spend limit can be a mystery, a puzzle that needs to be solved.
Let's consider for a moment a possible and literal translation - whose secret is it when everyone is invited, who do I give my $20 to and why would Santa be keeping secrets?
To add to the mystery, there are variations in the portrayal of the Santa figure in different cultures, and when he comes (some on Christmas Day and others on New Year's Eve). It is also outside social norms for the recipient to know the value of the gift that comes their way.
MRC North works primarily with people who arrive under Australia's Humanitarian Program. Countries of origin include Bhutan, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Sudan, Sierra Leone, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Democratic Republic of Congo.
We have a diverse workforce with staff from ten countries and speaking 16 languages and dialects.
Within these countries are a mix of ethnicities, cultures and denominations.
Some of these countries (where Christmas is celebrated) are densely populated and for many families, this time of year can feel and seem awfully quiet and lonely.
Of course, not all countries and cultures celebrate Christmas, and for workplaces it is important to acknowledge this.
There will be some people who will simply choose not to take part in any social or non-religious activities.
Celebrating inclusiveness and diversity in workplaces is more than just changing what you call your seasonal activities or putting up a multicultural poster in the staff or lunch room. It is very much about learning to understand, appreciating and being aware of your employees' traditions and beliefs, so that they feel valued in their work.
Taking the time to learn about cultures and celebrations of employees and exercising flexibility around holidays and religious celebrations, demonstrates an interest in the lives of your organisation's greatest assets, and contributes to a positive culture.
As always, communication is key.
Your employees' beliefs and culture have a huge impact on their lives. Ensuring they can be acknowledged and respected in the workplace can make a real difference in their engagement and retention.
Some suggestions and real-life examples that are happening in Launceston workplaces:
- MRC North works with employers who host participants for practical work experience - many host employers have added calendar dates for celebrations around the world in Outlook and display a multicultural calendar in common areas.
- Greetings (hello or welcome) in several languages displayed at reception.
- Staff training and informal lunchbox series to talk about diversity in all its forms.
- Hosting morning or afternoon tea to honour well-known national celebrations and observances such as NAIDOC Week, Harmony Day and International Women's Day.
- In-house themed workshops where staff from other countries share their celebrations with food, decorations and dress.
- Staff and board meetings that include 10-minute "getting-to-know-you" presentations by everyone who is comfortable to participate, and not just people from diverse backgrounds. After all, someone born in Ethiopia or Bhutan can learn a lot from a 'born and bred' Tasmanian.
I am not a regular user of the phrase, 'born and bred'.
When I heard it for the first time back in 1981 at Smithton High School (yes, a long, long time ago, but I have a memory of phrases that amused me in our first few years in Tasmania) I remember thinking it sounded primitive and asking why is it not 'bred and born'?
Isn't that the logical order?
My Social Science teacher demystified this for me. In English, 'born and bred' is a fixed phrase of 'born' to mean by birth and upbringing in a place that shapes an individual. The words were paired well before the 1800s so I was right about the phrase being ancient.
On a sobering note and back to the topic, this time of year can bring great sadness and home sickness as people long for the familiar and reminisce about happier times of togetherness, peace and complete families.
Sharing in inclusive and respectful celebrations in a workplace can help to cope with challenging emotions at a time when it is difficult to be merry and cheerful.
- Ella Dixon, CEO, Migrant Resource Centre (MRC) Northern Tas, a not-for-profit organisation providing quality services that assist migrants to settle and participate in all aspects of life