How to celebrate Juneteenth at work

On June 19, 1865, the last enslaved African Americans in Texas were given their freedom following the end of the Civil War. In 2021, Juneteenth became a federal holiday to commemorate the end of slavery. 

When is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth is celebrated annually on June 19th.

How should you celebrate Juneteenth at work?

Creating understanding across your workforce is one of the best ways to celebrate Juneteenth at work. The annual holiday also presents the perfect opportunity to review your DEI goals to establish a more tolerant, harmonious, understanding and prosperous workplace. 

Embedding DEI in the workplace

An effective DEI initiative is not created through a one-time celebration of a federal holiday. Nor should any DEI initiative be about a check-the-box exercise. DEI programs that deliver results require recognizing the potential a diverse workforce can bring to help your business grow.  

How to promote DEI in the workplace

1. Make DEI part of your company’s DNA by including it in your mission and values.
2. Review your company policies to ensure they are bias free and that you promote equal opportunities and fair treatment for your entire workforce.
3. Educate employees about different cultures and ethnic backgrounds.
4. Acknowledge holidays that celebrate cultural history. (Download our DEI holiday calendar here.)
5. Encourage open conversations with employees and invite feedback.
6. Make it the norm for employees to speak up when they feel they are (or a colleague is) being unfairly treated.
7. Review your recruitment and performance process to ensure you’re proactively hiring and promoting a diverse talent pool.

Inclusive cultures are productive cultures.

By embedding DEI in your workplace and creating an inclusive culture, you can create an environment where employees feel empowered and can thrive personally and professionally. An organization that actively promotes DEI initiatives can increase employee morale and productivity because employees feel valued and accepted. 

High employee morale also leads to higher staff retention. Employees who are happy at work stay at a company longer, which means you’ll spend less money and time on recruiting.

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