May 2022 - Employee Engagement Calendar
April 1, 2022by Emma McILwane in Workplace Wellbeing
Important dates and employee engagement ideas for the month of May.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month!
Annually, millions of people worldwide struggle with mental health. This month is used to educate, break the stigma and open up a conversation about mental health and advocate for the importance of support. This year's theme for Mental Health Awareness Month is "Together for Mental Health"!
Use your voice this month to advocate for access to mental health care to ensure all peoples across the globe can live healthy and fulfilling lives.
Engagement Ideas
- Share the hashtag #Together4MH this month to spread awareness and information!
- Read the personal stories of individual's mental health journeys, and if you're comfortable, share yours!
- Find time in your day to check in on your friends, colleagues and family - small actions of support can go a long way!
World Laughter Day - May 1st
Laughter is the best medicine! Use this day to uplift your coworkers spirits and get them giggling and grinning from ear to ear. Laughter is shown to decrease stress, improve your immune response, and increase your resistance to disease!
Engagement Ideas
- Share a workplace appropriate joke with your coworkers
National Teacher Appreciation Day - May 3rd
Teachers hold a significant factor in children’s lives as they grow and mature. Say thanks to the educators in your life today, show them how they have helped shape your future and share some gratitude. Their hard work and dedication to the community should be recognized, so put of your creative hat and say thanks!
Engagement Ideas
- Donate school supplies to your old educational institution or to your local school
- Volunteer your time at a school to assist in tasks that may need an extra set of hands
- Write a letter to your favourite teacher growing up to tell them how they helped you grow and where you are now
Star Wars Day - May 4th
May the Fourth be with you! This day stems from the famous line in Star Wars films, “May the Force be with you”! If you’ve not watched these movies before, unwind after a workday and binge a few movies! If you have seen them, there’s no harm in rewatching (just don’t spoil anything for any new viewers).
Engagement Ideas
- Watch a star wars movie, or all of them
- Share your favourite character from the Star Wars movies with your team
Cinco De Mayo - May 5th
Cinco De Mayo is celebrated annually to honour the Mexican military victory over the French Empire in 1862. In other parts of the world, this day is used to commemorate the culture and heritage of Mexico! Celebrate this day with parades, food, music, and dancing.
Engagement Ideas
Mother's Day - May 8th
Today is all about celebrating mom’s around the world! A mother figure can look different for everyone, but today, make sure to honour all the efforts mom's make for their kids and communities.
Engagement Ideas
- Mother's Day Icebreakers - prompt your team to share stories and special memories about their mom's
- What is your favourite memory of your mother?
- What is a habit or behaviour that you picked up from your mother?
- Describe the perfect Mother's Day
- Celebrate the Mom's on your team - make sure to send a special message to all the moms on your staff!
Children's Mental Health Awareness Day - May9th
There is a common misconception that all children are happy and playful. Unfortunately, children are still susceptible to developing mental health disorders; the most common being anxiety disorders. Use this day to increase awareness of children’s mental health disorders, understand the signs and symptoms and help break the stigma.
Engagement Ideas
- Raise awareness and have a discussion with your coworkers to brainstorm ways to help your children or your friend's children
Mental Health Awareness Week - May 10th
Take this week to learn more about the impact of mental health and spark honest conversation. This year's theme is Empathy; engage in open conversation with a coworker you feel comfortable with and make sure to actively listen.
Engagement Ideas
- Spread the hashtag #GetReal, open up about your experiences with mental health and listen to other’s stories.
- Before your meetings this week, have a check in with the team to see how everyone is doing
- Find some outdoor time - have lunch outside with a co-worker, take a walk for a coffee down the street
- Share ways with your team on how you stay mentally healthy and practice mindfulness
International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia - May 17th
Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia are unfortunately a regular occurrence in the lives of those in the LGBTQ2S+ communities. In 2004, May 17th was used to recognize and bring attention to the violence and discrimination faced by various sexual orientation and gender identity groups. This day, in 1990, was the day homosexuality was declassified as a mental disorder. Let’s help to educate the public and break the stigma for those who suffer from the discrimination just for simply living their lives.
Engagement Ideas
- Include your pronouns in your email signature
- Start a conversation with your team and open the floor to discuss ways in which we can reduce bias and discrimination in the workplace
Bike to Work Day - May 20th
Switch it up and get some exercise by biking to work! This small change can significantly reduce the carbon footprint that driving to work makes, while also greatly improving your physical and mental wellbeing.
Engagement Ideas
- Bike to work with a coworker to start your day with a nice social encounter
Armed Forces Day (USA) - May 21st
Find time to give thanks to all the individuals who make up Armed Forces Community. This one day of the year was dedicated to the armed forces after all 5 branches of the military unified under the Department of Defense in 1949.
Engagement Ideas
- Visit a public military display to educate yourself and interact with military personnel
- Visit a military memorial to pay your respects to those who have fought and lost their lives
National Missing Children's Day - May 25th
On May 25th,1979, a little boy named Etan Patz vanished without a trace. Since then, this day has been recognized annually as a reminder to help unite missing children with their families, to celebrate the lives of those who have been found, and to honour those who have not.
Engagement Ideas
- Use the hashtag #NationalMissingChildrensDay and help spread awareness those who are currently missing
- If there are any ceremonies in your area that honour families or law enforcement, show your support to the cause by attending.
May 28 - International Hamburger Day
The hamburger is one of the most popularized and iconic American foods. Did you know that approximately 50 billion burgers are eaten annually by Americans? This food is so widely loved of course there has to be a day dedicated to it!
Engagement Ideas
- Have a burger for lunch or dinner! (or both)
- Share with your team your go-to toppings on your burger or your favourite burger place!
