When it comes to hosting company events, timing can be everything. The right day can significantly impact attendance, engagement, and overall employee experience. But how do you determine the best day for your company events?

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We decided to dig into our data to find out. We looked at our customer event database, with 22,509 data points, and here's what we found:

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But it wasn’t just our data that pointed to Thursday as the most common, with Wednesday as the second most popular. When we collected insights from our CEO and Co-Founder Jade’s network, along with our community of Employee Experts, they overwhelmingly agreed that Thursday was the best day to host events.

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Why are Thursdays the most common choice?

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• Higher attendance rates: By Thursday, employees are typically settled into their weekly routines, leading to higher attendance and engagement. Events earlier in the week might clash with deadlines or the Monday rush.

• Avoiding the Friday wind-down: While Fridays are close to the weekend, they are often seen as wind-down days where employees might leave early or be less focused. Thursday events avoid this issue while still capitalizing on the end-of-week energy.

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While Thursday tends to be a top choice for many, it’s worth being cautious about certain days. Early in the week, like Monday, can be tricky as people are just getting into the swing of things. By the time Friday rolls around, the focus might be shifting more towards the weekend rather than work events. Plus, factors like childcare responsibilities, school pickups, and after-work plans can all impact attendance and engagement if you’re scheduling events outside of regular hours. 

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Avoid weekends

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When it comes to weekends, it’s best to avoid scheduling events during this time. Most people really value their work-life balance and want to keep their weekends for themselves. Planning work-related events on weekends can be disruptive and may not be well-received.

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Choosing the best duration for your event

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The length of your event also plays a role in its success. Here’s a quick guide to finding the ideal duration:

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• Short and sweet: For events focused on quick updates or social interaction, aim for 30 to 60 minutes. This keeps energy levels high and ensures employees can easily fit the event into their schedules.

• In-depth sessions: For more comprehensive workshops or training sessions, 1.5 to 2 hours is often ideal. This allows enough time for detailed discussions and interactive elements without losing participant interest.

• Full-day events: If you’re planning a major company event or retreat, a full day might be necessary. Make sure to include breaks and varied activities to keep everyone engaged throughout the day.

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That said, a well-thought-out event can be successful no matter the day. The key is to consider your team’s schedule, the nature of the event, and the overall vibe you want to create. With the right planning and execution, you can make any day the perfect day for your next company event.

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For monthly event ideas, download the Employee Experience Calendar. It’s packed with special days and themes you can use to plan impactful events and activities - whether they’re virtual, hybrid, or in-person. And if you're looking for budget-friendly options, check out our blog for ideas like hosting an employee-led specialized workshop or setting up a virtual wellness workout.

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How Epoch can help

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Epoch is an employee experience software that empowers teams to create and manage events that boost excitement, engagement, and morale in the workplace. With Epoch, users have access to a comprehensive dashboard that simplifies event planning, communication scheduling via Slack and Email, and post-event surveys, making it easier than ever to organize impactful and memorable experiences for employees.

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Epoch is trusted by leading companies like Asana, Toast, Miro, Braze, and more. These organizations have streamlined their event planning processes and boosted employee engagement using Epoch's intuitive platform. Interested to learn more? Book a demo today!

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