The Daily Mail

 

Two-thirds of firms tear down the tinsel
by COLIN FERNANDEZ, Daily Mail Last updated at 12:13pm on 5th December 2005


More than two-thirds of companies have banned Christmas decorations from the office because of fears that they will offend people from minority faiths, according to a report.

A survey by employment law firm Peninsula found that most firms are killing the festive spirit to conform to political correctness.

About 70 per cent of employers said they had banned Christmas trees and decorations.

Peter Done, managing director of Peninsula, said: "The workplace is now the latest in an increasing number of places affected by the wave of political correctness being imposed on festive traditions.

"To ease fears of offending other faiths and excluding minorities, firms are increasingly banning Christmas decorations and traditions from the workplace."

The survey, which questioned more than 2,000 employers, is the latest example of killjoys undermining traditional ways of celebrating Christmas.

Just over a week ago, the Mail reported how staff at the Jobcentre in Peterborough were told not to exchange presents publicly and that there would be no Christmas party.

Following a barrage of criticism, Jobcentre bosses carried out an embarrassing U-turn.

Other 'Christmas killjoys' named and shamed in recent weeks include Waveney District Council, based in Lowestoft, Suffolk, which said festive lighting displays did not "fit with the council's core values of equality and diversity" because Christmas focused only on the Christian faith.

Britons are expected to spend £600million on decorations this year. This includes 32million metres of fairy lights to decorate the outside of their homes. The average electricity bill will go up by £2.50.