Balancing Tradition and Neutrality: How to Address Religious Celebrations at Work?

Hello all,

The staff in our office has celebrated a festival called Ayutha Puja every year with a lot of fanfare. I have recently started as the HR in the firm and am not comfortable with religion in the workplace. No other festival is celebrated, and I would like to take steps to ensure the working environment remains free of religion. I highly appreciate suggestions/advice on how to deal with this situation.

We are a 2-year-old firm of about 100 people.

Regards,
Tmathai1

*Ayutha Puja* involves performing puja to the various instruments and equipment that help people work throughout the year. After the puja and chanting of slokas, fruits, and sweets are distributed among all present.

Hi,

Are you from India? We all know the meaning of Ayudha Pooja. It has been celebrated across India without any religious barriers. Companies, including those of other religions, are celebrating this. Just because chants from one particular religion are sung does not mean it should be banned. If you are not interested in celebrating the festival, stay away.

If we consider this argument, many Hindu companies decorate their offices during Christmas, plant Christmas trees, and organize parties for their employees on the eve of Christmas and New Year. So, it's better not to engage in such silly arguments. Instead, choose a relevant HR topic for discussion that can help HR professionals gain valuable knowledge.

Preet

Hi Tejesh,

I work as an HR in a Pharmaceutical Organization. I agree with Preet; yes, we celebrate other religious festivals like Christmas, and our employees go for prayers on Fridays. It does not hurt any other religion.

We don't have a problem with Friday prayers and celebrating Christmas in the office, so why should there be an issue with Ayutha Puja in the office once a year?

Regards,
Tejesh

Yes, thank you for your opinion, Preet. It is good to come across such polite and helpful HR personnel over the net.

Tejesh, I appreciate your comments, but no other festival is celebrated apart from the Ayutha pooja in our office. We have a mixed group and now that HR has formed a department, some staff have come up and talked about this. I am guessing instead of stopping the puja, we should start celebrating other festivals as well.

What say you..?

Hi,

This is Tejesh. I am happy that you have realized the thin line of sentiments. Instead of that, you can celebrate other festivals in the office. Make an employee survey to determine which festival should be celebrated in the office. Sit with senior people and decide which festival should be celebrated.

"He who knows others is learned. He who knows himself is wise."

Regards,
Tejesh

Hi, I am Louis, HR from an Engineering Company.

Festivals like Ayutha Pooja, Deepavali, Independence Day, Christmas, and New Year should be celebrated in companies. Gathering of employees at events like these will foster togetherness and unity among employees. The more celebrations, the stronger the sense of belonging. This is what is meant by Employee Engagement.

If there have been no celebrations so far, start right away with Ayutha Pooja. I have organized this wherever I was working and have received good feedback from employees.

Make employees happy! We don't exist without them.

Louis

Ayutha Puja = Dussehra

Hey, don't stop Ayutha Puja; it's common all over India, and major manufacturing companies do celebrate it. In manufacturing and production companies, workers worship their equipment, machinery, and all major tools with flowers, etc. In offices, people worship their computers, cupboards, and furniture. This practice is associated with sentiments, so please don't take it lightly, as the Puja may only take a maximum of 1 hour. Therefore, for that one hour, avoid tarnishing your reputation.

OK, OK, you got the point...