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?

Half of my family is Muslim. They get and give Easter eggs. It only seems to be ‘other people’ who try to ‘not offend’ with ‘winterval’ and ‘seasonal eggs’. Or they are religious cranks.

Just FYI, Winterval was nothing to do with "offending".

Just get easter eggs. Don’t see a problem here. You’re a Christian

My lovely Muslim neighbour gives me chocolate at Easter, I give dates at Eid with a card, we exchange Christmas cards and a small gift…no-one is offended. We treat each other as friends/neighbours and include each other in our religious holidays.

Yes.

My jewish and my muslim colleagues always participate in any Christmas party and I know that both take their chocolate eggs home as "I better share it with the kids or I will not survive".

@Nagado So would "she be overthinking and turning it into something unnecessary"
If she asked "is it OK to provide bacon rolls for breakfast at my multi cultural workplace?" Or "There are several Jehova's Witnesses among my staff-OK to give them Easter eggs?"

The caffeine has kicked in now, so it turns out I can be bothered to argue after all.

a) comparing chocolate to bacon is ridiculous and not the same thing at all.
b) She doesn’t have any JWs in her team, so what’s your point?

Just get the eggs… I don’t wrong my hands and worry that colleagues will be offended by my goodies.

im actually taking hot cross buns and eggs in today !

Do you think it’s offensive to eat a bacon roll in the presence of Muslims? Do you imagine Muslims think it’s offensive to eat halal food in the presence of Christians? If so, you’re being ridiculous!

Although I did work for a small firm when certain goods were banned from the office at specific times.

Yes but that’s because people are fasting all day so reasonable adjustments are appropriate.

having a selection of optional Easter eggs is fine. Maybe they’ll bring something for Eid. As long as no one is forced it’s a non issue chocolate in the shape of an egg.

I’m very disappointed in the pp who have said it’s unacceptable for OP even to ask this question. How is anyone ever supposed to learn anything if they aren’t allowed to ask a reasonable question on an anonymous forum?

People totally over-indulge over Ramadan. That is common.

Get the eggs - multicultural doesn't mean ignoring your own culture and traditions to abide by someone else's
People with other religions/cultures can partake or not, as they see fit

My BIL tends to lose weight - my SIL says she puts weight on!

I am Hindu. I don't care if anyone eats beef around me. Most Hindus in this country wouldn't, I think. Or they shouldnt. As long as I am not expected to eat it myself.

Put it this way, would you get offended by someone leaving out treats relevant to their culture/religion? I doubt it!

It’s just sad that we have to pussy foot about whilst being told to be inclusive and diverse. How can we be this is we are willing to avoid traditional things we do?

I guess the case in point is the Oxford St Christmas lights - I can’t remember last time they said the word ‘Christmas’ but this year we have some really beautiful Ramadan lights (using the word). Worth a visit for a look actually.

I assume a company has sponsored them and the local businesses are chasing ME shoppers but still…

I even have been asked to send Christmas CDs (a few years back) to the ME for (Muslim) family. It’s not celebrated much/openly there now but back in the day people would put up trees/tinsel and give Christian neighbours presents (and the day off work) and eat Christmas cake.

How does any of that make it unacceptable for OP to ask and be reassured that she doesn’t need to worry?

When I lived in a Muslim country, the shopping centres decorated for every celebration - I was wished happy Christmas at the till or gym etc.

During Ramadan accommodations were made for fasting staff, but we didn't have to tip-toe around, same where I work now - my muslim college is working from home Fridays, we don't book meetings at the end of the day so that he can get home and eat - but we're still having lunch for goodness sake!

Exactly. Would anyone be offended if a Hindu handed out sweets at Divali? It's not as if you were handing out crucifixes.

@Lentilweaver "
I am Hindu. I don't care if anyone eats beef around me. Most Hindus in this country wouldn't, I think. Or they shouldnt. As long as I am not expected to eat it myself."

You miss my point. Of course you wouldn't care. But you would be rightfully a bit sad if your manager arranged a team treat that you couldn't share because she didn't ask a simple question. Either because she didn't care, didn't think or was scared off asking it by Mumsnetters telling her she shouldn't.

@HoneyButterPopcorn "Although I did work for a small firm when certain goods were banned from the office at specific times"

Yep. Sure they were.

Exactly. OP is in a new job and new context and wants some reassurance. It’s perfectly reasonable to ask and very typically shitty of MN to roll its collective eyes and say ‘omg you are SO STUPID’, which is honestly the overwhelming consensus of this thread.