December 2021 - Employee Engagement Calendar
November 24, 2021by Molly Johnston in Tips & Tools
Important dates and employee engagement ideas for the month of December.
World AIDS Day - December 1st
World AIDS Day is dedicated to raise awareness about HIV & AIDS prevention and to remember those who have died from the disease. An estimated 40 million people worldwide have died of AIDS since 1981 and an estimated 37 million are living with HIV, making it one of the most important global public health issues in recorded history. People living with HIV and AIDS are at higher risk of developing mental health conditions due to the barriers to managing and accessing medical support along with the stigma and discrimination they face on a global scale.
How to Engage
- Provide educational resources to help fight HIV stigma and discrimination
- Rock the Ribbon - Wearing a red ribbon is the most broadly recognized way of showing your support. Order some for your team along with other resources here.
International Day for the Abolition of Slavery - December 2nd
International Day for the Abolition of Slavery is about raising awareness and reinforcing global efforts in combatting modern slavery. According to the International Labour Organization more than 40 million people worldwide are victims of modern slavery.
How to Engage
- Provide educational resources and encourage reflection How to combat modern slavery - Keven Bales (Video) Modern Slavery - The Guardian ( Article) Modern Slavery: Myths & Facts - 50forfreedom (Article)
International Day of Persons with Disabilities - December 3d
This day is to celebrate persons with disabilities and also bring awareness to the challenges that they face throughout the world. The spirit of the day is to ensure that all people in the world have equal opportunities for work, play, health and success. This year's theme is "Fighting for rights in the post COVID era."
How to Engage
- Provide educational resources and encourage reflection:
Changing The Way We Talk About Disability - Amy Oulton (Video)
Disability - The World Health Organization
How to Talk About Disability - Celebrating Disability
- Encourage employees to share their own stories and experiences
National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women (Canada) - December 6th
The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, also informally known as White Ribbon Day, is a day commemorated on the anniversary of the 1989 École Polytechnique massacre, in which fourteen women were murdered and ten others injured in the name of "fighting feminism."
How to Engage
- Get involved in your community - reach out to a local women's centre or organization in your area and see what you and your team can do.
Human Rights Day - December 10th
Human Rights Day commemorates the day on which the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948. The UDHR is a milestone document, which proclaims the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being. This year's theme is: EQUALITY - Reducing inequalities, advancing human rights.
How to Engage
- Provide resources to increase awareness Canadian Museum for Human Rights Harvard Implicit Association Test Race: The Power of Inclusion
- Encourage Discussion - Set up a digital free expression wall by creating a google jam board and encourage your team to reflect on and write about what human rights means to them.
International Mountain Day - December 11th
In 2003, The United Nations General Assembly designated December 11th as "International Mountain Day", to create awareness about the importance of mountains to life. This year's them is: Sustainable Mountain Tourism.
How to Engage
- Provide educational resources 7 Reasons Why #MountainsMatter Why Mountains Matter Why Hiking is Good for Your Brain
- Have your team share their favourite mountain moment
- Enjoy a virtual hike
AirPano - a virtual journey around the world
10 of the best virtual tours of the world 's natural wonders
Ugly Christmas Sweater Day - December 17th
Bundle up in style! Whether you're back in the office or working from home, you can still have some fun and rock your most charming holiday sweater.
How to Engage
- Hold an ugly Christmas sweater competition or have your team simply share a photo of their cozy holiday find or creation!
International Migrants Day - December 18th
International Migrants Day aims to raise awareness about the challenges and difficulties of human migration.
How to Engage
- Share and reflect on migrant stories from around the world i am a migrant - The UN Migration Agency's platform to promote diversity and inclusion of migrants in society. The Stories of Migrants Risk Everything for a Better Life Storytelling on migration - An animated video series calling to stand up for the human rights of all migrants.
Winter Solstice - December 21st
Winter Solstice marks the shortest day of the year, the end of fall and the official start of winter. It's an ancient pagan holiday known for rituals and traditions that celebrate nature, the return of light and setting one's intentions for the coming season.
How to Engage
- Encourage your team to set intentions for the holiday season
- Have your team share their favourite winter activity
- Learn about how people around the world celebrate
Christmas - December 24th & 25th
Though the holiday season is a time that is often spent with your loved ones, it can also be a great time to celebrate and engage with your team. Here are some fun ideas to engage in leading up to the holidays.
How to Engage
- Create a holiday playlist - invite all of your employees to add their favourite holiday songs. Ask team members which coworkers added which song, or invite employees to talk about why the song is their favourite.
- Host a group meditation or yoga session - the holidays can be one of the most stressful times of the year. Give your team a break and host a group meditation or yoga session...you can find one in the CheckingIn app!
- Share local festivities - if you have a team that is working across different parts of the city, country or even the world, you can embrace the most wonderful time of the year by highlighting different celebrations. Have your team share pictures of lights, decorations and other festivities happening in their community.
- Have team members share and reflect on their favourite holiday tradition
- Recipe exchange - Share and collect favourite holiday recipes and create a team cookbook!
Kwanzaa - December 26th - January 1st
Beginning on December 26th and lasting for seven days, Kwanzaa is a celebration of community, family and culture, established as a means to help African Americans reconnect with their African roots and heritage.
