December 2019 Coach's Quiz

We’ve suggested eight rules to follow for avoiding religious discrimination claims during the holiday season and all throughout the year. Now let’s look at how the rules might apply in the real world. Take the Coach’s Quiz to see what you’ve learned.

INSTRUCTIONS: Each of the following questions has only one correct answer. On a separate piece of paper, write down the number of each question, followed by the answer you think is correct—for example, (1) b, (2) a, and so on. The correct answers (with explanations) follow the quiz. Good luck!

QUESTION #1

You could be accused of a fair housing violation if you wish a resident a “Merry Christmas.” True or false?

a.         True.

b.         False.

QUESTION #2

Your community allows residents to reserve the common room for parties and other social activities. If residents are allowed to reserve the room for Christmas and Hanukkah celebrations, then you should allow a resident to reserve the room to host a pagan celebration to mark the winter solstice. True or false?

a.         True.

b.         False.

QUESTION #3

Which of the following communications wouldn’t present problems under fair housing law?

a.         Running an ad for a vacant apartment, noting that your community is near one of the state’s oldest synagogues, which holds lovely Hanukkah services.

b.         Placing a picture of a family gathered around a Christmas tree, while “O Holy Night” plays, on the home page of your community’s website.

c.         Posting signs that say “Happy Holidays” with images of generic winter scenes, such as children ice-skating.

QUESTION #4

Your rules allow residents to decorate their front doors with holiday decorations, including personal religious items, during the holiday season. One of your residents has complained that a neighbor keeps pulling down his poster, which features a manger scene with the message, “Have a Blessed Christmas.” The neighbor says he’s repeatedly complained that he’s offended by the religious poster, and that he finally had to take matters into his own hands because you didn’t do anything about it. Should you:

a.         Tell the resident he can put up a wreath, but not decorations with overtly religious messages.

b.         Ignore the situation—it’ll all be over after New Year’s Day.

c.          Remind the neighbor that your rules permit residents to put up religious decorations and warn him against doing anything to interfere with his neighbor’s decorations.

COACH’S ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS

QUESTION #1

Correct answer: b

Reason: Rules #1 & #4 apply here:

            Rule #1: Make Everyone Feel Welcome During the Holidays

            Rule #4: Aim for Inclusiveness During the Holiday Season

HUD has stated that the use of secularized terms or symbols relating to religious holidays, such as Santa Claus or phrases such as “Merry Christmas” or the like, don’t violate federal fair housing law. Wishing someone a Merry Christmas is unlikely, by itself, to lead to a discrimination claim, but you could opt for more secular greetings, such as “Happy Holidays” or “Seasons Greetings,” when speaking to applicants and residents.

QUESTION #2

Correct answer: a

Reason: Rules 6 & #7 apply here:

            Rule #5: Treat Residents Consistently—Regardless of Religion

            Rule #6: Allow Equal Access to Your Common Areas

Fair housing law bars communities from treating people differently based on their religious beliefs or practices. The law clearly protects members of established religions, but fair housing experts believe it may be broad enough to cover a wide variety of religious or spiritual beliefs.

QUESTION #3

Correct answer: c

Reason: Rules #3 & #4 apply here:

            Rule #3: Make Sure Advertising and Marketing Practices Don’t Suggest Religious Preference

            Rule #4: Aim for Inclusiveness During the Holiday Season

To avoid fair housing trouble, you can’t go wrong by using nonreligious language when communicating with prospects, applicants, and residents during the holidays. That includes written communications (such as ads), electronic communications (such as your community’s website), and direct communications.

Wrong answers explained:

a.         Mentioning the proximity of your community to the local synagogue in your ad may suggest a preference for Jewish prospects, which could lead to fair housing trouble.

b.         Including a Christmas scene with religious-themed music on your community’s website may suggest that your community has a preference for Christian residents or against those of other faiths.

QUESTION #4

Correct answer: c

Reason: Rules #5 & #8 apply here:

            Rule #5: Allow Residents to Display Religious Decorations Inside Their Units

            Rule #8: Enforce Rules to Prevent Harassment by or Against Residents

Though communities should maintain common areas in a religiously neutral manner, residents should be allowed to decorate inside their units with personal religious items as long as they are in keeping with community rules. Some communities take a hard line against any decorations outside units, while others allow residents to put up decorations on their front doors, windows, and other areas visible from outside their units. Whatever your policy, you should enforce it—and promptly respond to any disputes over holiday decorations.

Wrong answers explained:

a.         If you allow residents to decorate their front doors, you could be accused of discrimination if you allow secular—but not religious—decorations.

b.         You shouldn’t ignore the situation in hopes that it will simmer down after the holidays. Instead, you should investigate and act swiftly to resolve the dispute to avoid accusations of tolerating religious discrimination or harassment at your community.