Merry Christmas

I was posed a question that if I were the CEO of a big company, how would I handle office parties, the phrase "Merry Christmas" (directives to my employees about Happy Holidays), etc. I have given a lot of thought to this holiday question and if I were CEO, this is how it would be.

We would be open year round. I would give out a set number of "holiday" days on top of their vacation package that an employee could use whenever they want. It is not fair that everyone gets off for Christmas, especially those who bitch about how it is crammed down their throat if they aren't Christian. So, those people can work while the Christians have their time off. When those non-Christians have their religious days, pagan days, whatever, then they can take time off then.

In store greetings will be left to the individual person. If I am accepting of everyone's beliefs, then we will not have a tree, menorah, or other religious symbolism displayed at the office or at parties. To have those up would be to "side" with that religion. I feel that having a tree, lights, greenery, Christmas songs playing on the speakers, but not allowing my employees to say Merry Christmas is hypocritical. You can't half-ass it. Either commit to Christmas or not at all.

I am a business woman, so I would have the holiday sales on T-giving weekend, but I will not push my beliefs onto my employees or my business, because that is emotionally running the business, and that is good business sense. Now, I am keeping in mind if I were Sears or Wal-Mart this is what I would do.

I know that some people may think that I am not "being Christian" enough by encompassing everyone and not promoting my own beliefs. I do show my faith by my actions in my personal life. I don't expect them to cram Hanukkah down my throat or chastise me for eating during Ramadan. That is insensitive and un Christ like to expect those culturally different from me to follow my schedule, but me not make room for theirs in mine. I can witness to them by my actions of acceptance and other Christ like behaviors.

So back to the Merry Christmas. I will say Merry Christmas (when I am in a mood to talk to people) to everyone. If they say, they are not celebrating that holiday, I say oh, then Happy Holidays. I am not being insensitive to their culture, I am merely expressing mine and truly wishing them well. If I were to wished a Happy Hanukkah, I would say thank you, Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas. By saying that I am responding to them that I acknowledge they are Jewish and telling them Merry Christmas I am telling them I am Christian. I don't see what the big stink is over.

I would like your thoughts and your input as to what you would do if you were a CEO.