September 2022 - Employee Engagement Calendar

August 25, 2022by Carissa Harrison in Workplace Wellbeing
Important dates and employee engagement ideas for the month of September.
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. 

The purpose of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month is to inform the general public of the warning signs of suicide and how it can be prevented. Please remember, that all behaviours that indicate someone may be contemplating suicide must be taken seriously. 


National Shrink Day - September 5th 

On National Shrink Day, we celebrate the work of psychologists, psychiatrists, and all mental health professionals. Mental health professionals are responsible for so much positive growth in our society. 

Engagement Ideas 
Schedule a therapy appointment for yourself. 
Remind your team of the mental health resources available to them. 

Native Women's Equal Pay Day (U.S.) - September 8th 

Native Women's Equal Pay Day is meant to bring awareness to the wage gap between native women and caucasean men. Studies show that it would take a Native woman in the United States 21 months to make what a white male would make in one year. 

Engagement Ideas 
Spread awareness about the wage gap relative to your local Indigenous community. 
Sign a petition to stop the wage gap in Indigenous communities. 
          - Canada  
          - U.K.  

World Suicide Prevention Day - September 10th

World Suicide Prevention Day is part of Suicide Awareness Prevention Month. This day encourages conversation around mental health and suicide prevention on a global scale. 

Engagement Ideas 
Educate yourself on the myths about suicidal behaviour. 
Educate yourself on the warning signs of suicidal behaviour. 
Check on a friend, loved one or colleague, you know has been struggling. 


Positive Thinking Day - September 13th 

Positive Thinking Day reminds us of the rewards a positive attitude can bring. 

Engagement Ideas
Say something positive about each one of your team members. 
Try not to say anything negative for one day. Encourage your team members to do the same!

International Equal Pay Day - September 18th

International Equal Pay Day was implemented to spread awareness about wage gaps all around the world. This day was implemented by the U.N. as a response to the "painfully slow" progress on evening the gender pay gap. 

Engagement Ideas 
Reflect on how the gender and racial wage gap may be affecting your workplace 
Sign a petition to even the wage gap in your country. 
          - Canada  
         - United States  

International Day of Peace - September 21st

Each year on the International Day of Peace, the U.N. selects a theme that encourages global peace. In 2022, the theme is "End Racism. Build Peace." The U.N. commits to this mission by encouraging its members to cease fire and proceed with non-violence for 24 hours. 
Engagement Ideas 
Spread awareness about the International Day of Peace and its message. 
Reflect on how your organization can become part of the solution. Have this discussion as a team and stress the importance of anti-racism in our world today. 

Native American Day (U.S.) - September 23rd 

Native American Day is a national holiday that honours the culture and history of Native American Peoples. The holiday was implemented as a reminder of the violence and wrong-doing commited toward the Native population by American institutions. 
Engagement Ideas 
Hold an educational meeting about Native American history and how to be stronger allies. 
Go on a team nature walk. With this, acknowledge the land you are living and working on. 

HR Professional Day - September 26th

September 26th is dedicated to those working in Human resources. Human resources is all about strengthening relationships in the workplace. These professionals deserve a day where their work is specifically acknowledged and appreciated. 
Engagement Ideas 
Give a gift to your team's Human resources leader/team. 
Ask your HR leader what you can do to make their working relationships stronger. 

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Canada) - September 30th

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is also known as Orange Shirt Day. The name is inspired by a young Indigenous girl by the name of Phyllis who was taken from her home and stripped of her brand-new Orange shirt at residential school. We now wear Orange on September 30th to show support and raise awareness. On this day, we remember the harm and violence that occurred at residential schools. 

Engagement Ideas 

Encourage your team to wear Orange on September 30th. 
Hold a team meeting about the significance of Orange Shirt Day. 