Employee Engagement Calendar - August 2023
August 4, 2023by Carissa Harrison in Workplace Wellbeing
Important dates and employee engagement ideas for the month of August
B.C. Day - August 7th
B.C. Day provides an opportunity for communities to come together and reflect on the province's past. Many take this day to reflect upon the tragic history of how B.C. came to be, through the colonization of Canada's Indigenous Peoples. B.C. Day allows citizens to participate in various events and activities, promoting social cohesion and a deeper understanding of the region's heritage and contemporary significance.
Engagement Ideas
- Encourage your team to take today to spend time in nature and embrace everything B.C. has to offer as well as learn more about Canada's colonial history.
International Day of the World's Indigenous People - August 9th
The International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples holds immense significance as a global observance dedicated to promoting and protecting the rights, cultures, and heritage of Indigenous peoples worldwide. Celebrated annually on August 9th, this day highlights the contributions and challenges faced by Indigenous communities. It serves as a platform to raise awareness about the rich cultural diversity and traditional knowledge held by Indigenous peoples, emphasizing the importance of preserving their ways of life and traditions. The day also calls attention to the ongoing struggles for land rights, self-determination, and recognition of Indigenous rights, promoting dialogue and understanding between Indigenous communities, governments, and societies. By recognizing and honouring the resilience and contributions of Indigenous peoples, the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples aims to foster respect, inclusion, and a shared commitment to building a more equitable and harmonious world.
Engagement Ideas
- Educational Workshops and Panels: Host a series of educational workshops and panel discussions centred around Indigenous issues, history, and current challenges.
- Land and Environment Restoration Projects: Collaborate with local Indigenous communities on environmental restoration projects.
- Film Screenings and Documentaries: Organize screenings of films and documentaries that highlight the stories and struggles of Indigenous Peoples.
International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism - August 21st
This day serves as a reminder of the human cost of terrorism, acknowledging the pain, suffering, and loss endured by victims and their families. It is a day of solidarity, aiming to provide comfort and healing to those who have experienced the traumatic impact of terrorism.
Engagement Ideas
- Fundraising for Victims' Support: Organize a workplace fundraising initiative to support organizations that provide assistance and support to victims of terrorism and their families.
International Day of Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief - August 22nd
The International Day of Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief holds profound importance as a global observance that highlights the gravity or religious or belief-based violence and its devastating impact on individuals and communities.
Engagement Ideas
- Diversity and Inclusion Training: Conduct diversity and inclusion training workshops on this day, emphasizing the importance of respecting and valuing individuals' religious or belief identities.
- Workplace Policy Review: Use this day as an opportunity to review workplace policies related to religious or belief accommodations and anti-discrimination measures.
International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition - August 23rd
This day commemorates the transatlantic slave trade and the struggle to abolish this brutal system of exploitation and dehumanization. By honouring the victims and acknowledging the profound impact of the slave trade, this day aims to promote education, dialogue, and a collective commitment to combating racism, discrimination, and inequality.
Engagement Ideas
- Guest Speaker Series: Invite a guest speaker, such as a historian, educator or activist, to give a presentation on the historical context of the slave trade and the abolition movement.
- Book Club: Organize a book club focused on literature related to the transatlantic slave trade, abolition, or the African diaspora. Encourage employees to read and discuss books that shed light on the experiences of enslaved individuals and the fight for freedom.
Women's Equality Day - August 26th
Celebrated annually on August 26th, this day marks the moment in 1920 when women secured the right to vote in the United States. It serves as a reminder of the tireless efforts and sacrifices of suffragists who campaigned for gender equality and social justice.
Engagement Ideas
- Women's Leadership Workshops: Conduct a leadership development workshop specifically focused on empowering women in the workplace.
National Grief Awareness Day (U.S.) - August 30th
National Grief Awareness Day aims to raise awareness about the impact of grief on mental, emotional, and physical well-being. It provides a platform to foster empathy and understanding, encouraging open conversations about the grieving process and its various stages. Recognizing grief as a natural response to loss, this day offers comfort to those who are mourning and helps to de-stigmatize the experience of grief.
Engagement Ideas
- Give your team the day off for self care!
- Virtual Support Group: Host a virtual support group for employees who have experiences loss and grief.
- Acts of Kindness Day: Dedicate the day to acts of kindness and compassion in memory of those who have passed away.
International Overdose Awareness Day - August 31st
This day serves as a platform to remember those who have lost their lives to drug overdose and to honour the grief of their loved ones. It also seeks to reduce the stigma associated with drug addiction and overdose, fostering open conversations and understanding about the complexities of substance use disorders.
Engagement Ideas
- Naxalone Training: Offer training sessions on administering naxalone, a life-saving medication used to reverse opioid overdoses.
- Community Awareness Event: Attend a community awareness event as a team, to promote understanding and empathy for those affected by drug overdose.
