Civil servants have been told to call their Christmas parties ‘festive celebrations’ in an attempt to avoid offending other faiths. In another move to promote diversity and inclusion, some officials have been informed they cannot drink alcohol at a celebration if one team member is tea-total. Speaking to The Telegraph, one civil servant said the fallout of Partygate also played a factor in the restrictions around their end-of-year festivities.
One civil servant told The Telegraph that inclusivity guidance meant they had to find restaurant that did not serve alcohol because just one team member is tea-total. The individual said ‘no one should be expected to drink alcohol at work events’ and that non-alcoholic drinks should always be available.
