Time To Deck The Halls

The holiday season may be viewed by many as "the most wonderful time of the year," but it is also the time of year where employers can find themselves on the naughty list – facing potential religious discrimination suits. Since Santa may not be the only one checking his list twice this year, it is important for employers to respect the diverse views of all employees during this festive time of year.

One potential area of concern during these winter months is holiday decorating. While employers should be sensitive to the myriad of religious/secular holidays celebrated near year-end, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Supreme Court have suggested that certain holiday decorations typically should not be an area for concern.¹