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As an HR manager, you’re no stranger to hiring workers from varying backgrounds. While this is crucial for diversity, it can be challenging to ensure that every team member feels respected and valued, regardless of their identity.

To truly support all individuals, it’s crucial to recognize and celebrate global events that reflect their experiences and are in line with their values. This is where a global DEI calendar becomes imperative.

Companies that are diverse, equitable, and inclusive observe various cultural, religious, and identity-based events throughout the year. These DEI calendar activities equip them to handle challenges, attract and retain top talent, and support their employees.

However, curating the right observances for Global Diversity Awareness Month can be tricky, as stuffing or missing key events results in an ineffective DEI calendar. Hence, this guide explores significant dates in every inclusion month and shows you how to build a diverse, fair, and inclusive team.

What is DEI?

DEI stands for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. It's a set of principles held by many organizations aiming to create work environments where people from all walks of life, regardless of their culture, sexuality, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or ability, feel valued and appreciated.

These three values are often misunderstood and treated as one because they’re related and usually combined. However, to build a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, it’s crucial to understand the individual meanings.

Diversity: This refers to the entire makeup of your workforce. It comprises gender, age, ethnic, and physical ability diversity.

‍Equity: This refers to fair treatment for everyone. It ensures that the agreed norms, practices, and policies support equal opportunities or success at work, regardless of their identity.

Inclusion: This involves building a workplace culture where all voices are heard and everyone feels a sense of belonging. This will encourage employee retention and enhance productivity in the long run.

Why is it important?

As Capterra reports, 69% of companies planned to invest more money in DEI training and software in 2023 than in 2022, and 65% of HR leaders actually increased their DEI budget. Why the heightened focus on DEI, you ask? It’s simple—DEI helps cultivate a fair and welcoming workplace where everyone thrives, regardless of their background, sexuality, or identity.

Here are the key reasons why creating a DEI calendar is important:

1. Attracts and retains top talent: Per Indeed & Glassdoor’s Hiring and Workplace Trends Report, 72% of workers aged 18–34 said they would reject a job offer or leave a company if they felt their (potential) manager didn’t support DEI initiatives. This means organizations that prioritize the DEI calendar are more attractive to job seekers, particularly those from diverse backgrounds seeking a diverse, inclusive, and fair company culture.

2. Improves employee engagement and satisfaction: Inclusive environments make workers feel valued and respected. As evidenced by McKinsey, employees who feel included are three times more likely than others to be committed to the company’s goals. This dedication leads to higher job satisfaction, engagement, and productivity.

3. Improves problem-solving: When you hire people with different perspectives, abilities, and experiences to come together, they bring unique ideas and approaches that spur creativity and solve organizational problems.

4. Reduces bias and inequality: Inclusion Month and the DEI calendar address ingrained discrimination or bias within institutions and create equal opportunities for everyone, especially workers from underrepresented or marginalized groups.

5. Boosts business performance: According to McKinsey, companies with diverse boards of directors are more likely to outperform financially. This extends to the whole team, leading to stronger business results and financial success.

How to Promote Diversity Awareness

Now that you understand the importance of diversity, here’s how you can promote diversity awareness during DEI awareness month:

Education and training

Offer regular training to educate employees on the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Such training raises awareness about systemic and unconscious biases, promoting a more inclusive mindset. Furthermore, this education works both ways, as you also need to educate yourself and other company leaders on the value of diversity and how it benefits your organization.

Inclusive policies and practices

Create and implement policies that ensure fair and transparent processes. For example, during recruitment, you can promote diversity by drafting inclusive job descriptions, sourcing talent from diverse channels, and eliminating bias from hiring processes. Similarly, for performance management, include clear and specific metrics, skills, and requirements that apply to all employees regardless of their backgrounds.

Additional reading: 10 DEI Policies Your Organization Needs and How to Implement Them

Employee resource groups (ERGs)

ERGs connect employees of similar backgrounds and shared interests to come together as a community, learn, share their experiences, and support one another. These groups help underrepresented workers feel valued and ensure the company understands their needs. They also provide mentorship opportunities and aim to influence company policies and practices that affect diverse employees.

Mentorship programs

Employees should be provided with mentors regardless of their age, race, sex, or physical abilities. This initiative supports the easy transfer of knowledge, fosters trust, and eventually improves performance among team members. Additionally, higher levels of trust among employees and their mentors make it easier for them to open up when faced with struggles or dissatisfaction.

Celebrate diversity

Celebrate various cultural and identity-based events through initiatives such as a DEI calendar, inclusion month, or global diversity awareness month. This raises awareness about such events and the individuals involved, strengthening team regard for different traditions and backgrounds.

Here are some key dates that you can include in your DEI calendar as part of DEI awareness month.

Get your free DEI calendar now!

January

World Braille Day: This event is observed every 4 January to advocate for the rights of visually impaired people. It highlights the need for equal opportunities, accessibility, and inclusion for individuals with eyesight loss in education, work, and society.

Australia Day/Survival Day: This is a national holiday in Australia that falls on January 26 to commemorate the day of the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788. However, for many Indigenous Australians, this day serves as a remembrance and reflection on the resilience and survival of Indigenous cultures in the face of colonization.

Lunar New Year: This festival celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar. The date isn’t fixed but is determined by the lunar calendar. For the diversity and inclusion calendar 2025, the Chinese New Year will begin on 29 January 2025 and end on 16 February 2026.

Get inspired: 8 Joyful Ideas for How to Celebrate Lunar New Year at Work

February

Black History Month (US): This month-long event celebrates the achievements of Black people and reflects on the challenges they have endured throughout history. For the diversity calendar 2025, the theme, “African Americans and Labor,” focuses on the impact of all kinds of work on black people. It will be celebrated from 1 February 2025 to 28 February 2025.

National Day (Brunei): This diversity calendar 2024 is celebrated annually on 23 February to commemorate Brunei's independence from British rule in 1984.

Ramadan: Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and Muslims around the world observe it by fasting from dawn to sunset. It’s a month of spiritual reflection, self-discipline, and empathy towards those in need. This DEI calendar date is expected to start on February 28 2025.

March

International Women’s Day: Celebrated annually on 8 March, this event recognizes the achievements and struggles of women around the world. It also addresses issues such as gender bias, discrimination, and violence against women, fostering gender equality.

International Women’s History Month: March is dedicated to celebrating the struggles and achievements of women throughout history and advocating for their rights.

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination: It is observed annually on 21 March since declared by the United Nations in 1966. The day serves as a reminder of the day in 1960 when the police in Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful protest against apartheid.

EDSA Revolution Anniversary (Philippines): This event, celebrated annually on 25 February, commemorates the revolution that restored democracy in the Philippines in 1986.

Hari Raya Nyepi (Indonesia): Also known as the Day of Silence, this Balinese Hindu DEI calendar event honors the practice of silence and meditation. For the diversity calendar 2025, it will be celebrated on 29 March 2025.

Hari Raya Puasa: Otherwise known as Eid al-Fitr in Arabic cultures and Hari Raya Aidilfitri in Singapore and Malaysia, this event marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. The date changes every year, depending on the moon sighting. But for 2025, it is expected to begin on 31 March 2025.

April

National Autism Awareness Month (US): This DEI awareness month is observed in April. It aims to raise awareness about the strengths and challenges of people with autism, advocate for their inclusion in society, and educate on the importance of early diagnosis and research into autism.

Good Friday is a Christian holy day commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It is observed on the Friday before Easter Sunday. It is a solemn day of reflection and mourning for Christians, often marked by church services, prayers, and fasting.

Songkran (Thailand): Also known as the Thai New Year. It is celebrated on 13 April every year but also extends to 14 and 15 April.

Easter Sunday: This DEI calendar date is a Christian feast celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. It is the most important day in the Christian calendar and is observed on the first Sunday after the first full moon that occurs on or after the spring equinox. It is expected to fall on 18 April 2025. Easter is a joyous occasion marked by church services, celebrations, and the exchange of Easter eggs.

Earth Day is celebrated annually on 22 April to raise awareness about environmental issues and sustainability and encourage people to protect the planet.

ANZAC Day: This is a national day of remembrance observed in Australia and New Zealand on April 25. It commemorates the landing of Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) troops at Gallipoli in 1915 during World War I. The day is a solemn occasion to honor the sacrifices made by Australian and New Zealand soldiers in all wars.

May

Mental Health Awareness Month: May is the DEI month for raising awareness of mental or behavioral health issues to reduce the stigma associated with them.

Vesak Day: Vesak Day is a Buddhist holiday celebrated to commemorate the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha. It is one of the most important festivals in the Buddhist calendar and is observed by Buddhists worldwide. It is expected to fall on 12 May 2025.

International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT): This DEI calendar is observed every year on 17 May. It aims to raise awareness against LGBTQIA+ discrimination and rights violations.

June

Pride Month: June is Pride Month, celebrated to honor the LGBTQ+ community and their struggle for equality. It also commemorates the Stonewall riots (gay liberation protests) of 28 June 1969.

‍Independence Day (Philippines) is observed annually on 12 June to celebrate the country's independence from Spain in 1898.

Racial Harmony Day (Singapore) is held annually on 21 July to commemorate the communal riots of 1964. It aims to raise awareness about the importance of racial and religious harmony in Singapore’s multicultural and multi-ethnic society.

July

International Day of Friendship is observed on 30 July to promote understanding, cooperation, and togetherness among people of different countries, cultures, and beliefs.

August

ASEAN Day: As part of your DEI calendar, ASEAN Day is observed annually on 8 August, celebrating the founding of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 1967 with the signing of the ASEAN (Bangkok) Declaration.

National Day (Singapore): This DEI calendar date is observed on 9 August to commemorate Singapore’s freedom from Malaysia in 1965.

Independence Day (Indonesia): Observed annually on 17 August to celebrate Indonesia's independence in 1945.

National Heroes Day (Philippines): This DEI calendar is observed on the last Monday of August. It honors the Filipino heroes who fought for the country’s freedom during the revolution against the Spanish Empire and the long struggle toward independence. It will be celebrated on 25 August 2025.

Independence Day (Malaysia): Held every 31 August, this inclusion month commemorates the Malayan Declaration in 1957.

September

International Day of Peace: This DEI calendar day is celebrated every 21 September to highlight the importance of global unity in creating a peaceful and sustainable world.

Hispanic Heritage Month (US): This DEI month, from 15 September to 15 October, pays tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively impacted and enriched U.S. society.

Malaysia Day: This DEI calendar day falls on every 16 September and celebrates the establishment of the Malaysian federation on the same date in 1963.

Rosh Hashanah: Rosh Hashanah is both a religious and cultural holiday in Judaism, carrying deep significance in Jewish spiritual life and cultural traditions. It marks the beginning of the Jewish High Holy Days (also known as the Days of Awe) and is a time for reflection, prayer, and repentance. It is expected to start on 22 September 2025 and end on 24 September 2025.

October

Black History Month (UK): October marks the beginning of this inclusion month. It aims to promote an understanding of Black history and recognize the contributions of Africans and Caribbeans to British society.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Otherwise known as Pink October, this DEI calendar aims to raise awareness about breast cancer and the importance of early diagnosis.

National Bullying Prevention Month (US): This global diversity awareness month is observed throughout October to raise awareness about the harmful effects of verbal harassment, cyberbullying, physical aggression, and social exclusion. It encourages everyone to take a stand against bullying.

Yom Kippur: Yom Kippur is another significant Jewish holiday that takes place 10 days after Rosh Hashanah. It is regarded as the day of the atonement, is observed with strict fasting and spiritual cleansing, and falls on 1 October 2025.

National Unity Day (Indonesia): Celebrated on 28 October every year to commemorate the Youth Pledge made in 1928 by Indonesian youth to unite in their struggle for independence from colonial rule.

November

National Native American Heritage Month (US): This inclusion month is observed in the United States every November, celebrating the cultures, histories, and contributions of Native Americans in the country.

Diwali: This is the Hindu festival of lights, symbolizing the spiritual victory of light over darkness. It’s usually celebrated during the Hindu lunisolar months of Ashvin and Kartika, which often fall between mid-October and mid-November. But for the diversity calendar 2024, Diwali will be celebrated on 31 October 2024.

December

International Day of Persons with Disabilities: Every 3 December, this DEI calendar day is observed to promote inclusion and accessibility for individuals with disabilities and advocate for their well-being.

Christmas: Christmas is a significant holiday for Christians around the world. It is celebrated on 25 December every year to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Planning Your Global DEI Calendar

That’s a wrap on our comprehensive DEI calendar 2025! Bookmark this calendar to plan your key events and holidays. If you would like the printable version with an added bonus of employee engagement ideas applicable throughout the year and reap the engagement benefits that come from these occasions,

Download your DEI calendar and get started!

Omni’s intuitive, all-in-one HRIS helps HR teams and managers keep track of key dates, engagement opportunities, and manage employee schedules easily with automated reminders and at-a-glance scheduling. Omni’s platform allows you to create bespoke calendars for your employees around the globe, with pre-loaded holidays and cultural happenings based on your employee’s location, and automated alerts so you never miss a holiday, work anniversary, or opportunity to engage with your team or prepare for your next important HR initiative.

With a full suite of modules to support every aspect of your business, Omni’s platform offers an intuitive and fully customizable platform that integrates with your team’s favorite tools for a seamless and timely adoption.

If you’d like to learn more about how Omni’s all-in-one HR software automates the entire end-to-end employee lifecycle, book your product tour now and explore the features tailored to enhance your HR experience in 2025!

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