Eversheds on eggshells over Easter treats
Eversheds’ plan to present its staff with Easter eggs had to be put on hold after concerns that it might offend employees who do not celebrate the Christian festival.
The firm’s diversity and equality policy states that the firm is “determined to create a working environment which […] is free from any form of discrimination […] within which all individuals are treated with respect, fairness and courtesy”.
The ethos prompted a debate over whether some individuals might feel discriminated against should they receive an egg. However, the firm decided that it would press ahead with the perk. A spokesperson said: “All staff have worked very hard during the recent difficult trading environment and distributing Easter eggs is just a small way of saying thank you.
“Concerns were raised that the firm shouldn’t be seen to be favouring one religious group or cultural tradition over another. However, Eversheds is committed to equality and inclusivity and celebrates a number of festivals reflecting the diverse composition of our workforce worldwide.
“We feel that while not all of our employees celebrate Easter, they will understand the gesture.”
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Readers' comments (28)
Andrea Paulsen | 6-Apr-2010 9:19 am
Easter eggs are not a Christian tradition. It's a totally secular concept and has nothing to with the crucifiction and resurrection of Christ, which is what Christians celebrate.
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Anonymous | 6-Apr-2010 11:11 am
Lawyers have thick shells, im sure they would understand!!
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Barbara Cookson | 6-Apr-2010 11:24 am
it is rather sad that Eversheds HR have such a poor understanding of the Christian religiion that they think chocolate eggs are part of it.
Is this story a hangover from 1 April?
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Citylawfirmworker | 6-Apr-2010 11:36 am
As someone belonging to another religion, I am hopeful that Eversheds will actually conduct a straw poll of its non-Christian workers in order to decide the issue - rather than the usual patronising "lets not offend them" approach which seems to be current at the moment.
I don't work at Eversheds, but I'd be very surprised if anyone from a different religion was "offended" at the gesture.
Lets hope they back it up with some Vaisakhi treats next month, Diwali treats in December and Eid sweets in January! What's the usual offerings at Yom Kippur?
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Anonymous | 6-Apr-2010 1:21 pm
Easter is about the crucifiction and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Eggs/bunnies etc are secular symbols of spring. (Spring occurs at approximately the same time as Easter is celebrated.)
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Anonymous | 6-Apr-2010 1:24 pm
I love multiculturalism, and I worship diversity. Ahh... isn't it wonderful!?
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marjorie | 6-Apr-2010 2:19 pm
I thought that easter eggs represented the rolling away of the rock that blocked the doorway to the cave Jesus' body was put in after he was crucified? When he came back to life the rock was rolled away? Isn't that why kids rolled eggs, to symbolise that? We eat chocolate ones because nobody likes to paint hardboiled ones any more. And there's more money to be made in chocolate.
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Anonymous | 6-Apr-2010 2:53 pm
Easter eggs originate from paganism, it is the celebration of fertility, hence the eggs.
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Anonymous | 6-Apr-2010 2:56 pm
Sadly, since Yom Kippur is a fast so a food offering would hardly be appropriate.
Honey cake at Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) would do nicely.
The idea that anyone's religious sensibilities would be offended by the receipt of free chocolate shows how far BIG E has departed from the real world
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Anonymous | 6-Apr-2010 3:02 pm
They sent out happy Diwali cards last year? Discrimination.
No eggs for staff means they save a few thousand pounds to edge up those PEP figures they are so obsessed with. At least be honest about penny pinching.
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Anonymous | 6-Apr-2010 3:04 pm
well done Marjorie @ 2.19 pm for actually knowing why eggs are part of Easter.
The commercialisation of the festival does not mean its' symbols are not founded in the religion itself.
And well done Eversheds, I presume ths entire piece of hand wringing and cultural insanity is a belated April Fool?
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Anonymous | 6-Apr-2010 5:12 pm
Here we go again. Thank goodness I no longer live in the UK. Political correctness standing guard as we walk over the eggshells of others' sensitivities. Look, if someone doesn't want a bl**dy Easter egg they can just politely decline. And if they are offended to receive the offer? Tough. Live with it.
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Anonymous | 7-Apr-2010 9:59 am
So let me get this right...the 'story' (which I note made it to the front page of the hard copy version of The Lawyer) is that Eversheds considered whether or not Easter eggs would offend any non-Christians but ultimately decided it would not?
I look forward to The Lawyer's next hard-hitting expose on the quality of toliet rolls at Clifford Chance.
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Anonymous | 7-Apr-2010 12:18 pm
Totally agree Anonymous | 6-Apr-2010 5:12 pm, I no longer live in the UK either! I live in the Middle East and we gave all our staff easter eggs. Funnily enough not one of our 30+ nationalities (which obviously includes multiple faiths) were offended, in fact they were pleased to get some chocoloate, they don't care what shape it is!. (We also have a Christmas tree, celebrate Diwali, Eid holidays and any other significant religious event that affects our staff). Seriously, the UK has gone OTT PC and I'm glad not to be part of it!
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Anonymous | 7-Apr-2010 12:21 pm
As a Jewish employment lawyer, I hope I have an understanding of the law and what it feels like to be part of a minority. From my prespective, the idea that someone might be offended by being given an Easter egg is nonsense and if someone were to be offended, then they would probably be best choosing to live in a society where no-one outside their religion lives.
Being part of a multi-cultural society means accepting and understanding all religions and traditions - it doesn't mean not celebrating any of them for fear that doing so would offend another. I may not celebrate Christmas but have no objection going to an Office Xmas celebration or to others around me celebrating.
So long as there is no coercion and a person is entitled to politely decline the gift without retribution or derision (for example, some Jews may prefer not to receive the gift during Passover, or at all if it is not kosher) then what is wrong with a gift given with good intentions?
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Anonymous | 7-Apr-2010 1:33 pm
Not sure where this story has come from...
I work at Eversheds and there was an easter egg left on my desk last Thurseday
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John Barker | 7-Apr-2010 2:39 pm
Strangely, even athiests enjoy chocolate.
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Anonymous | 8-Apr-2010 12:20 pm
No doubt Eversheds wont let anyone in with leather shoes to keep the vegans happy. Grow up Eversheds- everyone with any sense could see the eastr egg idea was just a kind gesture and no more. Those who don't want and egg could give it to a charity.
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Anonymous | 8-Apr-2010 1:04 pm
My word - what a chain this has sparked!
Seems to me like a nice gesture to staff with a consideration about how staff may perceive...
They would have been criticised for not making a gesture, they would have been criticised for doing it and not giving a thought to those who don't celebrate Easter, and they're now being criticised for doing it but thinking about it first. Poor Eversheds can't win!
Glad to see everyone has plenty of work on at the moment!
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Anonymous | 8-Apr-2010 4:42 pm
Well, in the US there is no day off (either Friday or Monday). Just spring break for college kids, which you can watch on dodgy websites.
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