Diwali: Supporting Hindu Employees During the Festival of Lights

What is Diwali?

Diwali is the five-day Festival of Lights, celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains. It celebrates the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.

The main day of celebration (Lakshmi Puja) changes every year (usually October/November).

Leave Requests

Unlike Shabbat or Yom Kippur, work is not strictly “forbidden” in a scriptural sense for all Hindus, but it is a time of immense cultural and family significance, akin to Christmas Day.

Most Hindu employees will want to take at least the main day of Diwali off to perform pujas (prayers), light diyas (lamps), and be with family.

Employer Action:

• Expect a spike in leave requests for this specific date.
• Treat these requests with high priority. Refusing a Diwali leave request when you allow Christmas off can be seen as culturally insensitive and potentially discriminatory if not justified.

Remote Work & Flexibility

Other days of the festival might not require a full day off, but employees might appreciate:

• Working from home (to prepare for evening festivities).
• Finishing an hour early.

Office Celebrations

Diwali is a great opportunity for inclusion.

• Decorations: Electric tealights or rangoli (patterns) are common.
• Food: Sweets (Mithai) are central to Diwali. Bringing a box of mithai to the office is a great gesture.
• Alcohol Warning: Many Hindus abstain from alcohol, especially during religious festivals. If you host a “Diwali Party,” make sure it isn’t just “drinks at the pub.”

Other Hindu Festivals to Watch

• Holi: The festival of colors (March).
• Navratri: Nine nights of celebration.