Month-long observances:
Global Diversity Awareness Month
We live in a world full of cultures with diverse traditions and beliefs. Thanks to technology and travel, distance is no longer a barrier to connection with people from different backgrounds and values. This month, we celebrate the expression of the rights of all human beings, and the beauty that comes with diversity from all over the world.
Observance Suggestion: Make an actual effort to learn about other cultures by bringing in a discussion panel of diverse experts. Learn about the diversity within your own organization, and review the culture calendar to ensure each celebration that’s specifically important to your team members is recognized.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Every two minutes, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer. Though dangerous, we have many treatment options that increase the survival rate, especially when implemented at early stages. This month is all about education about what those early signs are, and encouraging women to get their breast exams and screenings.
Observance Suggestion: As a primary fundraising month for breast cancer awareness, consider how your organization can help raise money for research. Ensure your insurance provider covers women’s health care coverage, and let your employees know they can take time away from work without disclosing information to take care of their health needs.
Bullying Prevention Month
Nearly 20% of United States students report being bullied. However, there are many instances when the person being bullied doesn’t speak up. October reminds us that we all play a role in both supporting people being bullied and stopping the action from happening before it starts.
Observance Suggestion: While bullying is common in schools, it doesn’t stop in education. Adult bullies can make a work environment hostile. Work together with your employees to create a prevention program to recognize and prevent bullying within your organization.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Millions of Americans experience domestic violence, and leaving an unsafe situation often requires access to support and resources. This month is dedicated to raising awareness, educating communities, and highlighting how simple actions can make a significant impact on the lives of survivors.
Observance Suggestion: Provide your team with access to counseling or therapy services, ensuring domestic violence support is part of the offering. Maintain a readily available list of resource phone numbers, so anyone in your organization — or someone they know — can quickly find the help they need. Empower your organization to be a source of safety and support.
Filipino-American Heritage Month
October marks a pivotal moment in Filipino American history, signifying the first recorded presence of Filipinos on American soil. This vibrant community has enriched American culture in countless ways, from music and dance to fashion and cuisine. As the second-largest Asian American community, their contributions are integral to the nation’s fabric.
Observance Suggestion: Instead of just providing information, why not immerse your employees in a world of discovery? Curate a vibrant library of books, documentaries, and articles that spotlight the histories and traditions of the Filipino-American community, and share it with your team. Host interactive workshops led by passionate employees or cultural experts to bring these stories to life.
German-American Heritage Month
With roots tracing back to 1683, German immigrants have played a vital role in shaping American history and culture. From the automotive industry to culinary traditions, their influence is evident in countless aspects of daily life, and this month offers an opportunity to explore the depth and richness of German heritage.
Celebration Suggestion: Participate in Oktoberfest! But go beyond the beer, music, and lederhosen — bring in German musicians and listen to historical German stories.
Italian-American Heritage Month
With over 26 million Americans claiming Italian ancestry, this heritage has left an indelible mark on American culture. From the silver screen to the culinary arts, Italian Americans have made significant contributions to numerous fields. This month is a celebration of their rich history and enduring legacy.
Celebration Suggestion: Italian culture is big on food! Bring in an Italian culinary expert to host a class on traditional cooking methods so you can break away from the tastes of chain restaurants.
LGBTQIA+ History Month
Not to be confused with Pride Month, LGBTQIA+ History Month highlights key moments in the fight for equality, honors trailblazers who have shaped the movement, and fosters an understanding of the ongoing challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community. LGBTQIA+ History Month presents an opportunity to show support for diversity and inclusion by educating employees, creating affirming workplace environments, and amplifying LGBTQIA+ voices.
Observance Suggestion: Share educational content through newsletters, social media, or internal communications that highlight key historical events, figures, and milestones in LGBTQIA+ history.
National Work and Family Month
Flexibility. Balance. Harmony. As leaders, this month is an opportunity to reimagine how your organization supports employees in balancing their work and family lives. Work demands often make it challenging for employees to prioritize their families, but thoughtful leadership can create systems and cultures that make balance more attainable.
Observance Suggestion: Establish partnerships with local childcare providers to offer accessible solutions for working parents. Foster a culture of respect by honoring employees’ boundaries and avoiding work-related expectations during their family time. Lead the way in creating a supportive environment that values both professional contributions and personal well-being.
Polish-American Heritage Month
October also commemorates the arrival of the first Polish settlers in America and honors the legacy of military leaders like General Kazimierz Pulaski and Tadeusz Kościuszko. The Polish community has made substantial contributions to American society, and this month is a time to recognize and celebrate their heritage.
Observance Suggestion: Plan a trip to a Polish-American museum and learn about the history and contributions of Polish culture and how it has fused with day-to-day American lifestyles.
Calendar dates:
October 1 – Yom Kippur (Jewish)
The holiest day in Judaism, Yom Kippur is a day of fasting and prayer in the spirit of atonement. The holiday starts at sunset through sunset the following day.
Observance Suggestion: Avoid scheduling major meetings and events throughout the night and day of Yom Kippur to allow Jewish employees time for prayer and to be mindful of the effects of fasting as part of their observance.
October 2 – Vijayadashami (Hindu)
Hindus celebrate the promise that good will always win over evil. This is the day the Goddess Durga killed the demon Mahishasur. Many Hindu people celebrate by burning huge effigies of Ravana, a 10-headed demon, asserting that they are also burning evil at the same time.
Celebration Suggestion: Schedule a visit to a Hindu temple where special Vihayadashami events are held. Here, you can learn more about the Hindu religion while enjoying crafts, food, and reenactments.
October 2 – International Day of Nonviolence (same every year)
On Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday, we celebrate the International Day of Nonviolence. This day offers an opportunity to reflect on how we can dismantle the cycle of violence through education, public awareness, and peaceful resistance.
Observance Suggestion: Are you leveraging nonviolent communication strategies in your workplace? Consider initiating a book club with your team centered around Dr. Marshall B. Rosenberg’s Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life. Consider bringing in a conflict resolution professional to guide your efforts.
October 3 – Latina Equal Pay Day (*as of 2024)
Even after the Equal Pay Act of 1963, Latina women are still earning only 49 cents to the dollar. This means the average Latina woman has to work over two years more than the average white male to earn the same income in the same jobs.
Observance Suggestion: Speak up for the Latina women in your community, especially within your organization. Sign petitions for equal pay, and contact your elected representatives to encourage them to support legislative initiatives focused on equal pay.
October 6 – Sukkot begins (Jewish)
Sukkot commemorates the gathering of the harvest and the protective dwellings Jews lived in as they escaped Egypt. Jewish people traditionally build temporary sukkahs (or dwellings) in which to live and eat (including 4 special kinds of vegetation) for the joyous week-long celebration.
Observance Suggestion: Allow those who observe time off on the first day of Sukkot when work is prohibited and any additional time for special observances and celebrations.
October 10 – World Mental Health Day (same every year)
According to the WHO, approximately 12 billion working days are lost every year to depression and anxiety around the world. First observed in 1992, World Mental Health Day was organized by the World Federation for Mental Health to raise awareness across the globe about tackling crucial mental health topics.
Observance Suggestion: Bring in a professional group therapist to facilitate a workshop tailored to your organization. Collaboratively define what mental health looks like for your team and identify actionable ways to support it. Regularly revisit and update this definition — at least every few months — to ensure your efforts remain relevant and impactful.
October 11 – National Coming Out Day (LGBTQIA+) (same every year)
On National Coming Out Day, we celebrate all of those who have already lived their coming-out stories, and we respect and support those who still have yet to live theirs. Both take bravery and courage. There is power in those stories — power to foster empathy, strengthen allyship, and promote inclusivity within our communities and workplaces.
Observance Suggestion: Consider inviting a cultural competency expert to assess your current company culture regarding LGBTQIA+ inclusion and help develop a plan for ongoing improvement. Share the Human Rights Campaign’s Pledge to Come Out Against Hate with your team, or donate to a local LGBTQIA+ organization to fuel their work.
October 13 – National Indigenous Peoples’ Day (United States) (same every year)
On National Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we honor the cultures and histories of Native people. Their tragic stories have taught us even through oppression, rich cultures can strengthen communities. By renaming of Columbus Day, we are moving away from the focus of hurtful stories and focusing instead on the beauty and strengths of Indigenous traditions.
Observance Suggestion: Audit your supplier list and determine if any suppliers are Indigenous-based. If not, consider if you could bring one on.
October 15 – International Pronouns Day
She. He. They. Them. Ve. Pronouns, both gender-based and gender-neutral, play a vital role in respecting individual identities. This day reminds us to ask for and honor others’ preferred pronouns, making a conscious effort to use them correctly. Even if your pronouns feel “obvious,” sharing them encourages inclusivity and normalizes the practice. Today, we celebrate and respect all pronouns —whether they’re he/him, she/her, they/them, xe/xem, or others.
Observance Suggestion: Proactively share your pronouns, even if they align with traditional norms (e.g., she/her, he/him). This simple act reinforces the message that assumptions about pronouns are never made and that everyone’s preferences are valued and respected.
October 16 – Bosses’ Day (same every year, unless it falls on a weekend)
Bosses’ Day is dedicated to employers for all their hard work. While there is some controversy around the celebration of Bosses’ Day, this is an opportunity to strengthen the relationships between bosses and their employees.
Celebration Suggestion: Consider the relationships within your organization. Do team members openly communicate with their bosses? Have managers earned their respect? If there are strained relationships within your organization, consider hiring professionals to workshop with your team members and strengthen those relationships.
October 16 – Spirit Day (LGBTQIA+)
Millions of people all over the world identify as LGBTQIA+. Many of those same people face bullying and harassment. This day recognizes that ALL members of the LGBTQIA+ have human rights that should be respected and honored.
Observance Suggestion: Does your organization support LGBTQIA+ rights openly? Consider donating a percentage of profits to organizations that provide resources to LGBTQIA+ people. Or perhaps ask your LGBTQIA+ workers if there is a celebration they would appreciate hosted by your organization.
October 17 – 23 – Diwali (Hindu)
Diwali is the Hindu Festival of Lights. Originating in India over 2,500 years ago, this celebration kicks off on the night of a new moon, with traditions including brilliant fireworks displays, vibrant floral arrangements, and delicious sweets. The annual holiday is celebrated by approximately one billion people around the world.
Celebration Suggestion: Encourage your employees to dress in bright and festive colors, and say “Happy Diwali” to those who observe.
October 20 – Installation of the Guru Granth
Guru Granth is considered the final and most sovereign Guru in the Sikh religion. This day is central to their religious scripts, which include prayers and hymns. These gatherings provide the central tenets for those who study the religion.
Observance Suggestion: Ensure that anyone who might participate in the Sikh tradition has the option to take PTO to pay reverence to their deep, spiritual teachings.
October 22 – International Stuttering Awareness Day (same day every year)
Even though many people think of it as being “stuck” with a single word, there are actually several other forms of stuttering and there is no one single cause for it. This day is an opportunity to educate on the different causes as well as how to best support those who experience it first hand.
Observance Suggestion: Attend the International Stuttering Association conference online, and invite team members to join in. Each year, they bring together individuals around the world to focus on a theme and discuss supportive materials.
October 23 – Birth of Baha’u’llah (Baha’i) (same every year)
In 1817, Mirza Husayn-Ali was born in Tehran, Iran. He was known as Naha’u’llah, which means “Glory of God” in Arabic. Baha’u’llah became the prophet-founder of the Baha’i faith.
Observance Suggestion: Provide a designated quiet space in the workplace for prayer or meditation to accommodate observant employees.
October 31 – Halloween (same every year)
Halloween is known as one of the creepiest holidays of the year, and yet it’s one of the biggest sources of joy. Children everywhere dress up as beloved characters or ghostly ghouls and ask for candy from neighbors.
Celebration Suggestion: Host a Halloween party within your organization. Invite families to come and dress up so children can receive safe treats while parents also get to enjoy themselves.
October 31 – November 1 — Samhain (same every year)
Samhain is considered one of the most important festivals of the Celtic religion. It’s a time when the Gods become visible to humans to play tricks on their worshipers. In the past, this day was full of fear and danger. Today, it is full of costumes and honoring agriculture.
Celebration Suggestion: Since this is a celebration of the change of seasons, honor nature by appreciating the cycle of crops. Does your organization has space for a garden? Care for the land you’d like the garden in and tend to it so that it’ll be ready for crops in the Spring.
