## Workplace Events for 2021 🗓 We have compiled a list of the major employee events and monthly themes to be aware of for all of 2021! [Add our Public Google calendar here.](https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0?cid=Y19rdXQyOTE0a2c1NGU1amUwdWVuamhtb3NlY0Bncm91cC5jYWxlbmRhci5nb29nbGUuY29t) At Epoch it has been so inspiring to see all the companies we work with continue to support their employees in meaningful ways during these challenging times. At the end of the day, showing up for each other and making space for ourselves is something we hope is top of mind for you and your employees and continues to be moving forward. For this new year, we wish you all a healthy, safe, and incredible year to come filled with tremendous opportunities for growth and good. Starting off the 2021 new year on the right foot; major internal events for this month should revolve around employee wellness and mentoring. Planning events around health and wellness, as well as looking into opportunities to help those around you through volunteering or mentorship experiences fall in line with getting employees back to work in a good headspace. ### Month Themes: Employee Wellness, National Mentoring Month **January 1** - New Year’s Day **January 11** - Clean Off Your Desk Day **January 18** - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day [View more info on January 2021 events here!](/content/blog/january-events-2021/index.html) Since February is Black History Month, you can use this time to educate employees and come together with your ERGs to provide resources and support on this topic. Evaluate DEI efforts within your company’s workplace to find areas of improvement in order to foster a greater sense of inclusivity for all. This ties into the other theme of focusing on human relations this month to ensure employees can bring their full selves to work and be productive. Gather feedback and suggestions from employees on how they could be even more successful in the workplace. ### Month Themes: Black History, Human Relations, Love **February 2** - International Crêpe Day **February 4** - World Cancer Day **February 4** - Rosa Parks’ Day **February 4** - Thank Your Mail Delivery Person Day **February 9** - National Pizza Day **February 14** - Valentine’s Day **February 16** - Mardi Gras **February 20** - World Day of Social Justice **February 24** - Tortilla Chip Day **February 26** - International Pistachio Day [View more info on February 2021 events here!](/content/blog/february-events-2021/index.html) March is the opportunity to celebrate all the amazing women on your team and empower them to continue to reach their full potential in their roles. Efforts can be put into planning events or webinars to educate the team on Women’s history and gender equality in the workplace as well as celebrate the achievements of women on your team. ### Month Themes: Women’s History, Gender Equality **March 5** - Employee Appreciation Day **March 8** - International Women’s Day **March 14** - Pi Day **March 17** - St. Patrick’s Day **March 20** - International Day of Happiness **March 20** - First Day of Spring **March 23** - National Puppy Day **March 25** - World Waffle Day **March 31** - Equal Pay Day **March 31** - International Transgender Day of Visibility [View more info on March 2021 events here!](/content/blog/march-events-2021/index.html) This month’s focus will bring everyone down to earth by planning events and environmental initiatives to give back to our planet and each other. Find some opportunities that will bring employees outside to feel reconnected and refreshed. It is also the perfect time to involve employees in volunteering initiatives and virtual social impact activities to inspire them to help out others within their communities. ### Month Themes: Earth, Celebrate Diversity, National Volunteer Month, Stress Awareness **April 1** - April Fool’s Day **April 2** - World Autism Awareness Day **April 2** - Walk to Work Day **April 7** - World Health Day **April 10** - National Siblings Day **April 12** - Grilled Cheese Day **April 16** - Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day **April 18-24** - National Volunteer Week **April 22** - Earth Day **April 22** - Bring Your Kids to Work Day **April 23** - National Day of Silence (LGBTQIAA+) **April 28** - Administrative Professionals Day [View more info on April 2021 events here!](/content/blog/april-events-2021/index.html) Employee well-being should always be top of mind. May is a very important month to bring light to mental health and the resources and support available to employees. Offer webinars or live chats to start the conversation, and improve internal communication surrounding this topic are primary steps to creating an inclusive culture. Stress-relieving events can also tie in with mental health by giving employees an opportunity to take a break and clear their minds. ### Month Themes: Mental Health, Asian Pacific Heritage Month **May 2** - National Infertility Survival Day **May 4** - Star Wars Day **May 5** - Cinco de Mayo **May 9** - Mother’s Day **May 17** - International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia **May 21** - World Meditation Day **May 21** - World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development **May 21** - Bike to Work Day **May 28** - Hamburger Day **May 31** - Memorial Day [View more info on May 2021 events here!](/content/blog/may-events-2021/index.html) This month, employee activities and engagement events can be centered around celebrating pride and members of, as well as allies of the LGBTQ+ community. Love is love and employees should feel empowered to be true to themselves in the workplace with full acceptance. Creating an inclusive company culture and one where all employees feel they belong, is the ultimate goal. Creating fitting events for all employees, with DEI in mind, will surely help achieve that goal. ### Month Theme: Pride **June 12** - Loving Day **June 13** - Race Unity Day **June 18** - Picnic Day **June 19** - Juneteenth **June 20** - Father’s Day **June 20** - First Day of Summer **June 25** - Take Your Dog to Work Day [View more info on June 2021 events here!](/content/blog/june-events-2021/index.html) The summer has officially begun which means school is out! Encourage working parents in a remote work environment to enjoy the sunshine and spend time outside with their children. To support working parents, you can also offer kid-friendly activities that their children can participate in to get everyone engaged. By creating events that have a focus on improving employee life, it will in turn make them more productive at work. ### Month Theme: Summer Kick-Off **July 1** - Canada Day **July 4** - Independence Day **July 8** - Video Games Day **July 11** - World Populace Day **July 18** - International Nelson Mandela Day **July 21** - Junk Food Day **July 25** - International IVF Day **July 26** - National Disability Independence Day **July 29** - Lasagna Day **July 30** - International Day of Friendship [View more info on July 2021 events here!](/content/blog/july-events-2021/index.html) With August’s focus on National Civility and politeness, many workplaces give their employees daily challenges to improve employee relationships and a way to engage with others on different teams. Another idea is to plan webinars or fireside chats with various guest speakers to inspire employees and happy hour events to come together as a team for some fun. ### Month Theme: National Civility Month **August 3** - Watermelon Day **August 9** - International Day of the World’s Indigenous People **August 12** - International Youth Day **August 17** - Marcus Garvey Day **August 19** - World Humanitarian Day **August 26** - Women’s Equality Day [View more info on August 2021 events here!](/content/blog/august-events-2021/index.html) September is a busy time for working parents with children going back to school. This gives the perfect opportunity for L&D activities regarding a work-life balance and time management. There is also the opportunity to tie in employee engagement activities with local charities and celebrate Hispanic heritage amongst the team. ### Month Themes: Hispanic Heritage, National Guide Dog Month, Back to School **September 5** - International Charity Day **September 6** - Labor Day **September 16** - National Working Parents Day **September 21** - International Day of Peace **September 22** - First Day of Fall [View more info on September 2021 events here!](/content/blog/september-events-2021/index.html) October brings the opportunity to bring awareness to breast cancer and plan creative events to raise money to support this cause. It is also LGBTQ+ history month where ERGs can come together and plan L&D activities and engaging events to bring light to all the related civil rights movements. It’s a time of celebration and coming together as a community. ### Month Themes: Breast Cancer Awareness Month, LGBTQ History Month, National Work and Family Month **October 1** - International Coffee Day **October 2** - International Day of Nonviolence **October 10** - World Mental Health Day **October 11** - National Coming Out Day **October 11** - National Native American Day **October 15** - White Cane Safety Day (Blind Awareness) **October 16** - World Food Day **October 16** - Bosses’ Day (Canada) **October 21** - Spirit Day (LGBTQIAA+ anti-bullying) **October 29** - Internet Day **October 31** - Halloween [View more info on October 2021 events here!](/content/blog/october-events-2021/index.html) November is the month to plan employee events to celebrate the various cultures of your team members. Use this opportunity to partner with ERGs to create learning opportunities and cultural celebrations to celebrate diversity in the workplace. This is also the month of Movember so many companies run activities and events to raise money for men’s health issues like prostate cancer. ### Month Themes: Movember, National Native American Heritage Month **November 3** - Take Our Kids to Work Day (Canada) **November 9** - World Freedom Day **November 11** - Remembrance Day & Veterans Day **November 13** - World Kindness Day **November 15** - Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day **November 20** - Transgender Day of Remembrance **November 20** - Children’s Day (Canada) **November 25** - Thanksgiving **November 30** - Giving Tuesday [View more info on November 2021 events here!](/content/blog/november-events-2021/index.html) As the end of the year approaches, it is the perfect time to relive all the individual and collective goals that were achieved amongst the team. The year starts to wind down for the holiday season and employee celebration events are in full swing to show appreciation towards all employees and a successful year. This is also the perfect opportunity to collect employee feedback to help the planning process for the new year in order to improve the employee experience and workplace culture. ### Month Theme: Universal Human Rights Month **December 1** - World AIDS Day **December 1** - Rosa Parks Day **December 3** - International Day of Persons with Disabilities **December 5** - International Volunteer Day **December 10** - Human Rights Day **December 21** - First Day of Winter **December 31** - New Year’s Eve [View more info on December 2021 events here!](/content/blog/december-events-2021/index.html)