Inclusive civic holidays can reflect diversity

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This article was published 24/05/2022 (1294 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Holidays have looked different for everyone over the last two years. Celebrations have been virtual or distanced, long weekends have been largely homebound and public gatherings have been put on hold. With life getting back to some semblance of normal, it’s a good opportunity to consider which holidays are deemed “normal” and which are not.

In Manitoba, there are eight general, or statutory, holidays per year, two of which are tied to religious events. These days are recognized by law and employees are granted time off or are paid differently for time worked.

The holidays observed in Manitoba have been on the books since 1957, when the Employment Standards Act was introduced. The act has been amended several times over the years to address wage rules and retail business hours. Only one holiday, Louis Riel Day, has been added since the act was adopted.

Non-denominational holidays are a non-issue. They allow workers paid time off to relax or participate in public events and celebrations, like Canada Day, if they so desire. Mandated holidays affiliated with religious observance, however, create a tiered system where certain cultures are given social preference over others.

By only offering Christmas and Easter as general holidays, it gives preferential treatment to those who identify as Christian. Yes, there are plenty of non-religious folks who exchange gifts on Dec. 25 and hunt for eggs in mid-April, but the holidays are undeniably rooted in Christianity.

For the many, many Manitobans whose cultural and religious festivities fall outside those government-approved dates — like Lunar New Year, Diwali, Eid ul Adha, Eid ul Fitr, Rosh Hashanah, Vaisakhi and Yom Kippur — it’s up to individuals to decide whether they want to request additional time off from their employer or find ways to celebrate around their regular work schedule.

The City of Winnipeg is currently looking into the human rights implications of legislated and stat holidays for its workers. Last week, the executive policy committee voted unanimously to investigate the issue as it pertains to the municipality’s equity, diversity and inclusion policies. The committee will be seeking input from community stakeholders with a report of recommendations expected in September.

The city doesn’t have the authority to change the employment standards code, but it can enact internal policies that make holidays more inclusive. And as an employer of more than 10,000 people, any changes the city makes could encourage smaller organizations and businesses to follow suit.

Through his Celebrate Everything campaign, clinical psychologist Dr. Rehman Abdulrehman has been an outspoken advocate for more inclusive civic holidays. The campaign recommends workplaces offer employees two additional paid days off per year to celebrate religious holidays.

It’s a small gesture in the grand scheme of things, but one that can correct an existing precedent that gives preference to Christian and, largely, white staff members over others.

“What that does for people psychologically is that it tells them that one holiday or the origins of that holiday or the people associated with that holiday, are more important,” Abdulrehman told Global News last December.

Winnipeg is a multicultural society and workplaces should not only represent, but embrace it. Certain employees shouldn’t have to jump through hoops — like requesting special accommodations — to participate in cultural events, while others are granted time off with no questions asked. After all, inclusion in itself is cause for celebration.