Holiday Inclusivity

A Gendered Perspective

Hey, Ya’ll! 

Thanks again for reading That Inclusive Lens, my bi-weekly newsletter! Please feel free to comment and share it with a friend if you find it helpful. 

I just did a podcast about Holiday Inclusivity, which made me want to share some tips on inclusivity for this holiday season.

RESOURCE:

DEI Unwrapped: Making The Holiday Magic Inclusive And Equitable In The Workforce

REVELATION:

“Throughout the year, holidays are celebrated through diverse traditions—Diwali, Thanksgiving, Ramadan, Christmas, Hanukkah, Buddhist observances, and Indigenous beliefs—each reflecting shared human values. Yet, across regions, ethnicities, and religious celebrations, women often bear disproportionate responsibilities as entertainers and nurturers during this time of year.”

I typically think about the holidays from a cultural and ethnic inclusion perspective. I have never thought about the holidays from a gender-inclusion perspective, so this article fascinates me. Some of the tips were: 

  1. Spread the magic: Form diverse committees representing all genders, voices, and perspectives with shared accountability. #Collaboration

  2. Focus on Fathers: Celebrate exceptional fathers by acknowledging caregiving roles traditionally associated with women. Positive reinforcement of the behaviors you want to see.

  3. Diversify Joy: Ensure your workplace recognizes diverse celebrations, no matter where your company operates. **Additionally, remember everyone doesn’t find joy during the holidays. It’s a difficult time for some people, so be sure to associate joy with conversations and activities outside of the holidays. Allow people to bring their version of joy to the workplace.  

REFLECTION:

Reflect and share with your teams

  1. What do the holidays truly mean to me?

  2. What emotions surface for me during the holidays?

  3. What am I most grateful for in this season of life?