The holidays and legal issues

[OldGrayNurse]

I'm not sure where this needs to be posted so I'll let the moderators decide. I would like some feedback on a project I've done in the past without incident but the socio-political climate has changed somewhat since the last time I did this-I would like to get an overall sense of whether or not it is safe for me to do the following:

I want to thank the CNAs and floor nursing staff of the SNF I work at as an MDS Coordinator. Our facility is family-owned and the owners are our admin and asst admin. There has never been any incentive on their part to show any staff appreciation. In earlier times, I would buy some small gift bags, some dollar items like hand sanitizer, chapstick or something similar I could buy in bulk from Amazon, make some homemade treats, and get some individually wrapped candies. I would tie the bags off with ribbon and attach a card that said "Thank you so much for all you've done throughout the year to care for those who can no longer care for themselves. God bless you, and Merry Christmas from you Care Plan Coordinator".

I do this with my money and gather everything on my personal time. I just don't want anything said about the way I word the card; I truly want God to bless them and I believe in saying Merry Christmas. I also don't want to find myself in a lawsuit because someone is allergic to something I made. But these ladies and gentlemen work hard and long hours because we are persistently short-staffed; they have not had any cost of living raises in four years, and this year were not even recognized during National Nurses Week or National Nursing Home Week. Morale is in the tank, and I'm powerless to do anything other than show support, help out when i can, and do something small like this to show them I do care.

My admin doesn't have any objections, as long as I clock out before handing them out, or if I leave them in my office and allow them to come in and quickly pick them up.

I would just like some feedback from nursing to see if anyone can foresee me (or the facility) having any legal repercussions down the road.

[cayenne06, MSN, CNM]

I am atheistic to the core, but I have never been offended by being wished merry christmas or being told I am in someone's prayers or that they want their god to bless me (as long as it is not a veiled statement about my immoral abortion-providing ways)- and none of the atheists I know are offended by that either. I think that is a made-up problem perpetuated by those who like to complain about the pretend "war on christmas." You might consider leaving out the god part, but that would be up to you. I think the allergy problem could be solved by including a list of ingredients, and maybe making something that is free of the most common allergens.

[Cob94]

Keep doing what you're doing! Perhaps putting a recipe card in with the goodies would be nice. People can appreciate the treats and also know the ingredients! Merry Christmas!

[Jolie, BSN]

Again, just my personal opinion, but I don't think the ingredient lists are necessary. This isn't a preschool classroom where the kiddos don't know what they can or can't eat, let alone what is in a particular goodie.

These are all adults entrusted with the care of vulnerable people. Surely they can look out for themselves by knowing their own allergies/sensitivities and avoiding food where there is any question of ingredients.

I take home-made treats to work all the time. People either eat them or not. But a pan of cookies never lasts a full shift and no one has ever been sickened by them.

Once again, thank you for what you are doing :)

[PyridiumP]

I think that this falls under the category of "no good deed goes unpunished," or at least un-complained about. I agree with the comments that this is both a ridiculous and sad question to feel you have to ask.

Put it out if your mind, give your gifts, and then say a little something nice about every one of them for their personnel files with a little note. Raises, not roses, and all that.

Bless you and Merry Christmas.

[dream'n, BSN, RN]

I think most reasonable people have no problem with any holiday greeting. I'm an Evangelical Christian Socialist (odd combo I know), but am not at all offended if someone wishes me a Happy Hanukkah or Ramadan. My friends and family are everything from Atheist, Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Wiccan, and just about everything else. My Facebook is full of Tea-Party members all the way to Socialists, and we have great, mature discussions. All this PC nonsense is so silly. People are people. Personally I believe that if anyone gets offended by your kindness, then they aren't people you'd need to worry about anyway.

[DeeAngel]

If your message offends anyone then they should just put on their big girl panties and decline to take one.

[LPNtoRNin2016OH, LPN]

I am not religious at all nor really believe in God and I would still be very appreciative of the gift. I am also an adult who knows what I am allergic too and hopefully other adults do as well. Really, normal people, however many now exist out in the world, do not care what religion/holiday/stuff you believe in, they will just see it as a kind gesture.

[not2bblue]

I don't know if a list of ingredients matters. You aren't selling them or marketing to kids. If I have a peanut allergy, I wouldn't eat something from a person's home even if there aren't supposed to be peanuts in them. I don't think someone could sue and win because they chose to eat a homemade cookie and they were allergic to them. I do think the wording of God Bless could be problematic. Not necessarily legally ALTHOUGH you are admitting you are signing with your work title, not your personal name. Someone could see $$ that you are representing the company and sue for the easy money. Unlikely but possible, so just avoid that. I would write "Happy Holidays and Blessings in the upcoming new year". Christmas is a holiday, but isn't the only holiday celebrated right now. If you insist on writing Merry Christmas, I would still write the Blessings in the upcoming new year portion. It just isn't good practice to assume everyone is exactly like you or that you won't get sued or even fired for bringing religion to the workplace. Even off the clock, if it is seen as being given by the company. Even if you have been doing this for years, all it takes is a new manager or someone in corporate to say no and you are out of luck. Be smarter. "Happy Holidays and Blessings in the upcoming New Year".

[VANurse2010]

In other words, you have no respect for cultures and beliefs besides your own. Have you considered that some people do not *want* to be blessed by god or to celebrate Christmas or be blasted with "Merry Christmas" constantly from presumptuous people?

[LPNtoRNin2016OH, LPN]

In other words, you have no respect for cultures and beliefs besides your own. Have you considered that some people do not *want* to be blessed by god or to celebrate Christmas or be blasted with "Merry Christmas" constantly from presumptuous people?

There is always one. Listen, I think Christianity is as real as Harry Potter, but in today's crap world, if someone is nice enough to wish me good will or give me a small gift, I'm always touched! Same goes for anyone who is Jewish, Muslim, etc etc. Sometimes it really just is someone trying to be kind and accept it as that.

[VANurse2010]

There is always one. Listen, I think Christianity is as real as Harry Potter, but in today's crap world, if someone is nice enough to wish me good will or give me a small gift, I'm always touched! Same goes for anyone who is Jewish, Muslim, etc etc. Sometimes it really just is someone trying to be kind and accept it as that.

15 years ago I would have accepted this explanation, but now - No, just no.

[LPNtoRNin2016OH, LPN]

15 years ago I would have accepted this explanation, but now - No, just no.

Care to share why? I am asking not sarcastically.