Easter Eggs in a multicultural workplace

[Sheepcup]

I lead a small team in an education business, i.e. we work to school terms.

Usually I get a small gift for my staff at the end of each term and at Easter it's Eggs. Until now, I worked in a very white area where people are mostly not religious but broadly Christian by heritage. Everyone has Eggs without attaching much religious significance to them.

This year, I have moved to a different area and in my team I have an Israeli Jew and a Bengali Muslim.

Do I get Eggs, they're just chocolate tokens of the season, or absolutely not? If not, what else?

Get lindt bunny's instead or maybe the Malteser ones. I'm sure somebody can accept a gift on Ramadan.

People who don't eat dairy or rabbits

People can still enjoy sharing a gift that’s from the culture of the giver, even if they don’t share that culture. If you receive a food gift you won’t eat, whether because of religion or allergens or whatever, then surely you just politely accept then re-gift it?

I have never known a person of any creed or colour (and I have worked with plenty) turn up their noses at yummy Easter eggs. Or, for that matter, a plate of delicious spicy Punjabi samosas or Bengali pakoras etc etc.

That may be how you see it, but many do believe the egg symbolises resurrection and dye them red to signify the blood of Christ.

Many do but I'd assume many more don't. Many Christians enjoy having a 'culturally Christian' UK but that's a knife that cuts both ways. Us atheists get an opinion if there's an expectation.

I'm happy to celebrate any festival I'm invited to celebrate. Be that Eid, Hanukkah, Mayan equinox, Diwali or Christmas. If you'll cook, I'll come (and bring something). Everyone in my office just lets everyone know the ingredients to everything so the vegans, people with allergies, people who eat kosher or halal, can all see what they are getting. And choose accordingly.

The only time I've rolled my eyes and edited things was when I worked at a service with a large number of Muslim clients and the donated Easter eggs were accompanied by cards. Some of which were very dubious and extremely Christian. In that case we made sure the cards were distributed in the least offensive way possible. No 'dying for your sins' stuff went out. It was probably the same weirdos who do the preachy shoe boxes.

The most non-inclusive thing about Easter is the fact that eggs are representative of the female reproductive system.
I suggest more chocolate balls.

To be honest, it creates awkwardness to be like OP is being.

@MrsTerryPratchett I'm an atheist as mentioned in a previous post and was pointing out factual errors made on this thread.

Whether religious beliefs anyone holds are true or not is somewhat beyond the scope of this thread but of course would make for a lively discussion!

If someone from another culture/faith gave me some edible treat associated with their religious festival, I would accept it happily and be very pleased to be included in their celebration. If it was something I didn't eat, I'd pass it on to someone else.
The last thing I'd be is offended, and I can't imagine people of other cultures would be either.

My Indian colleague used to bring the whole team including Christians divali sweets and I thought nothing other than "ooh, sweets!"

As a Jew, I would eat and be grateful for the Easter Egg.

Might even return the favour with some Chanukah doughnuts later in the year.

Or some passover chocolate matzo I guess if I for some reason wanted you all to suffer...

I think Easter eggs are pretty much secular, and in any case, sharing food is a feature of many religions. Our Muslim neighbours bring us food during their Ramadan evening meals. Not because they're trying to convert us, just because it's part of the festival.

How on earth will they be offended?

They chose to live in England, I'm sure they are used to our Christian festivals by now!

Get the chocolate eggs, and stop being so bloody silly. I'll bet they'll be delighted!

Would you be offended if someone brought in goodies for Eid?

Despite a religious primary school education and regular bible study during my teenage years, plus being a Sunday school teacher, I have never heard that eggs, chocolate or otherwise were linked to the Easter story.

As far as I know eggs are related to spring and 'birth'

Just buy some chocolate eggs and leave them out for people to eat - as far as you're not stuffing them down their throat it should be fine.

@soupfiend "To be honest, it creates awkwardness to be like OP is being."

What-for asking??? Bloody hell!

Just get the eggs.

The vast majority of people in this country aren't Christian. Your colleagues live here - they're not blind to the walls of chocolate in Tesco and they're not offended by them either!

Just don't do what I did and buy the kids mini bags of Percy Pigs, with pork gelatine in them 😖Thanks feck I clicked before I handed them out.

Yeah exactly. If someone from a different religious or cultural background brought in something relevant to that religion/culture no one would bat an eye lid but for some reason if you’re Christian or just “white” British you have to be terrified to offend everyone. It’s so boring. If you live in England, why should you be terrified to celebrate things that English people do? It’s just weird

Easter was originally a celebration of the spring goddess Ēostre - that's why it's called that. Decorating Easter eggs started as a pagan tradition called pisanki/pysanky. Christians hijacked these traditions, as they did when they renamed Yule "Christmas".

I'm astonished by the number of "Christians" who know virtually nothing about their own religion, aren't even aware that the Bible never says Jesus was born in December, etc. If I truly believed that a book had been written by the creator of the universe, the absolute bare minumum I would do is read it cover-to-cover!

OP, if you went to another country, would you be offended if people gave you a gift associated with the dominant culture of that country?

I bought the people in our office today a mini lindt bunny and my Muslim, Hindu, Mormon and Jewish colleagues all loved them. We celebrate our own festivals, traditions and holidays with each other and enjoy it. I do check no one is vegan and they would like something.

Just under 54% (in England and Wales at least) according to the 2022 census. A majority but not a vast one.

FFS get a grip woman. Eggs are a commercial creation. Nothing to do with the crucifixion the resurrection or anything else Christian.
If your colleagues are offended then fuck 'em

I am very amused by the fact that the only group who might have an issue with Easter eggs are not "them Muslims" but Jehovas Witnesses!

That doesn't mean people will be offended. They have the choice to take some chocolate home for later?