Explore the important days and themes for November 2024! 

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This November 2024 calendar serves as your go-to guide for planning meaningful internal events and activities, whether in-person or virtually. From key observances to cultural celebrations, these events in November 2024 can help you foster connection and engagement within your team.

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‍Don’t forget to add Epoch’s Google calendar to stay ahead of the important days in November 2024 and other cultural and holiday events throughout the year! 🌟

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Important cultural celebrations, commemorative days, and events in November 2024

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Take Your Kids to Work Day – November 6 (Canada)

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This fun day is all about inspiring the next generation by showing them what the workplace looks like.

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• Event idea: Set up activities like office scavenger hunts or "mini-manager" challenges for the kids. Bonus points if you let the team’s little ones give short presentations about their day! 👧👦

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World Freedom Day – November 9

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A day to celebrate the fall of the Berlin Wall and the triumph of freedom and democracy. It’s a great time to reflect on the value of freedom, whether in a historical, political, or personal sense.

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• Event idea: Select a book related to freedom and democracy. Create a workplace book club where employees can read and discuss these materials over a few weeks leading up to World Freedom Day. 🌍

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Veterans Day – November 11 (US)

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A day to honor military veterans and their contributions. This is a great time to reflect on leadership, resilience, and the skills veterans bring to the workplace.

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• Event idea: Hold a lunch-and-learn with veteran speakers or organize a volunteer day where employees can support veteran organizations in the community. 🏅

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Remembrance Day – November 11 (Canada)

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Canada’s day to honor those who have served in the armed forces. It’s a meaningful moment to pause, remember, and share stories of service and sacrifice.

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• Event idea: Create a commemorative wall where employees can post stories or photos of family members who’ve served. Consider hosting a moment of silence at 11 am to bring the team together. 🌹

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Diwali – November 12

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Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is celebrated by millions around the globe over five days, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness and the spirit of joy and togetherness. It’s the perfect occasion to foster inclusion and celebrate the diverse cultures within our teams!

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• Event idea: Host a Diwali celebration featuring festive decorations, delicious food, and activities like a diya (lamp) lighting ceremony. 🪔✨

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World Kindness Day – November 13 

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A global day to celebrate the power of kindness. Small gestures can go a long way in building a positive workplace culture, and this day is all about that.

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• Event idea: Start a kindness challenge! Encourage employees to perform random acts of kindness for their coworkers, or launch a team-wide recognition program. 💛

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Transgender Day of Remembrance – November 20

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A day to honor the memory of transgender people whose lives were lost to violence. It’s an important time to reaffirm your commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion & belonging (DEIB) and raise awareness.

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• Event idea: Host a panel or educational session led by LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). Provide resources to help employees learn more about transgender rights and allyship. 🌈

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Thanksgiving – November 28 (US)

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A day to reflect on gratitude, family, and community. Many workplaces will be off for the holiday, so planning a pre-Thanksgiving gathering is a great way to get everyone in the spirit.

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• Event idea: Organize a potluck or “Gratitude Wall” where employees can share what they’re thankful for. You could also host a canned food drive to give back to the local community. 🦃🍂

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Black Friday – November 29

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Known as the shopping frenzy day, but it can also be a great time to focus on financial wellness for your employees. Holiday spending can be stressful, so offering resources around smart budgeting can help.

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• Event idea: Bring in a financial expert to lead a seminar on holiday budgeting. Or, keep it light by hosting a relaxing post-Thanksgiving de-stress session, where employees can enjoy a cozy workspace, snacks, and calm vibes. 💸

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Native American Heritage Day – November 29

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Following Thanksgiving, this day celebrates the rich culture and contributions of Native Americans. It’s a great opportunity to deepen awareness around Indigenous history and its ongoing impact.

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• Event idea: Host an office trivia game that spotlights Native American history and achievements, or offer curated resources for employees to explore. 🧡

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November monthly holidays and observances

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Native American Heritage Month

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A month to celebrate the rich history, culture, and contributions of Native American communities. It’s a great opportunity to bring Indigenous perspectives into the workplace.

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• Event idea: Invite a speaker from a local Indigenous community or host a documentary screening followed by a team discussion. You could also share Native American-authored books or resources. 🌾

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National Career Development Month

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The perfect opportunity to put learning and development (L&D) in the spotlight. Whether it’s skill-building, career pathing, or mentorship programs, there’s no better time to empower employees to grow.

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• Event idea: Plan a workshop on skill-building or resume tips. You could also pair employees with mentors for a special Career Development Day event. 🚀

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Movember

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Movember is an annual event that raises awareness around men's health issues, including mental health, suicide prevention, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer. It’s a great opportunity to support employee well-being.

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• Event idea: Organize a team "Movember" challenge by encouraging participants to grow mustaches or donate to men's health causes. You can also invite a mental health professional to talk about men’s mental health in the workplace. 💼

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The importance of DEIB in workplace events

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As we dive into planning our November events, let’s remember that incorporating Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s essential for enhancing the employee experience! 🌈✨

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Here are some friendly reminders to enhance our workplace celebrations with DEIB principles at the forefront:

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Celebrate diverse perspectives

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Make it a point to include events that highlight different cultures and experiences. This could be through themed celebrations, guest speakers, or educational sessions that foster understanding and appreciation among team members.

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Encourage participation

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Create opportunities for everyone to get involved! Whether it’s planning activities or sharing stories, encourage employees to contribute their ideas and experiences. This engagement builds a sense of ownership and belonging within the team.

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Foster psychological safety

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Ensure that everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts and experiences without fear of judgment. This creates an environment where individuals can express themselves authentically, leading to richer conversations and connections.

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Make events and resources accessible

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Ensure that all events are designed to be accessible for everyone, regardless of their background or needs. Consider different formats (in-person, virtual, hybrid) and provide resources that are easy to access and understand, so all team members can fully participate.

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Want access to a community of Employee Experience experts who share event ideas?

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Join the Epoch Employee Experts community—an invite-only community for connecting like-minded individuals in the employee experience space. Get access to a private Slack community and event invites. This is a safe environment for meaningful conversations and connections.

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Apply here!