Dear MEL Topic Readers,
Why companies often get Lunar New Year wrong in the workplace
January 1st is celebrated by most countries as the start of
the Gregorian calendar year, and many countries observe it as a national holiday.
While most Westerners tend to have a year-end party on the eve but do nothing
particular on New Year’s Day, Asians like the Japanese usually spend New Year’s
Eve quietly to welcome the new year peacefully. Lunar New Year is a significant
traditional holiday celebrated by various East Asian and Southeast Asian cultures.
It is based on the lunar calendar and is typically celebrated between late
January and mid-February when the new moon appears. For example, China’s Spring
Festival holiday began on February 10 and will last eight days this year. It is
estimated that around two billion people celebrate Lunar New Year. It is the
time for family reunions, cleaning and decorating, temple visits and prayers,
and exchanging greetings and well wishes with relatives and friends. It is the
most significant holiday to be observed in many cultures and is celebrated with
joy, symbolism, and reverence. As workforces become more diverse culturally and
religiously, employers are trying to be inclusive and show their respect for
multicultural celebrations in order to boost their motivation, loyalty, and
productivity. But when they do, they should be sensitive about the meaning and
significance of such cultural or religious events for their employees. Otherwise,
they might feel uncared or disrespected. Indeed, the significance of the Lunar
New Year is like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year holidays all combined.
Read the article about what Asian employees feel in Western work
environments.
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