Q:  Denise, I will be taking next week off and want to have the following as my voicemail message, “Thank you for your call. I will be taking the week of December 21^st off for the Christmas holiday. I will be returning all calls on Monday, December 28^th. Happy holidays!” However, a co-worker said that this is insensitive to people who celebrate holidays other than Christmas. What do you suggest?

A:  I think your message is just fine! You are wishing others happy holidays (general and respectful of whatever holiday they celebrate) while at the same time indicating that you will be celebrating Christmas. If someone indicated they were taking time off to celebrate Hanukkah, Kwanza, or even Festivus for that matter, that is a factual statement and no one should get offended by that.

Enjoy your holidays!!