Diversity, Equity and
Inclusion Calendar
2024
Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Calendar
We’re Outsource UK. Providing recruitment solutions is what we do, and eliminating bias, privilege and inequality within talent engagement matters to us. We believe that people power businesses to be successful, which is why we’ve created a calendar full of important dates to help you in creating an inclusive workforce.
If you can’t find a date that’s important to you or if there’s a subject that you’d like to collaborate on, we’d love to hear from you.
Highlighted topics include:
Mental Health
Neurodiversity
Religious
Disability Awareness
LGBTQ+
Inclusion and Equity
Sustainability
Support for Working Parents
January
15th - Blue Monday
Dismiss the myth of 'Blue Monday' and encourage colleagues to reach out and connect with others. Have a conversation over a cup of tea with family, friends, colleagues and loved ones.
Try this:
At Outsource we host ‘Brew Monday’. This gets everyone away from their desk and gets them chatting.
Check out our new blog on why we use this date as a reminder to prioritise mental health in the workplace and tips on how you can support your workforce.
21st - World Religion Day
World Religion Day is a great opportunity to recognise the significance of faith in employees' lives and support their religious practices, observance of holy days, and overall faith inclusion in the workplace.
27th - Parent Mental Health Day
Parent Mental Health Day gives priority to supporting the mental health of parents and caregivers. Parents' health can often be overlooked due to focus on their children's wellbeing. Rebecca Buggs, Senior Recruiter, is our Parent Returner Ambassador and has written a fantastic blog on ‘How to juggle work and family life’.
JANUARY 2024
Mon
1 8 15 22 29
Tue
2 9 16 23 30
Wed
3 10 17 24 31
Thu
4 11 18 25
Fri
5 12 19 26
Sat
6 13 20 27
Sun
7 14 21 28
DECEMBER 2023
FEBRUARY 2024
M
4
11
18
25
T
5
12
19
26
W
6
13
20
27
T
7 14 21 28
F
1
8
15
22
29
S
2
9
16
23
30
S
3
10
17
24
31
M
5
12
19
26
T
6
13
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W
7
14
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8
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2
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3
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4
11
18
25
February
February - LGBTQ+ History Month
LGBTQ+ History Month recognises and celebrates the history of gay rights and related civil rights movements, as well as the history of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals.
Try this:
Host a workshop to educate your workforce about LGBTQ+ history.
1st - Time To Talk Day
Time to Talk Day is the nation’s biggest mental health conversation. Happening every year, it’s a day for friends, families, communities, and workplaces to come together to talk, listen and change lives. Sam Farr, IT Manager and our Wellbeing Ambassador has written a blog on how to improve your wellbeing and we’ve also shared our 7 top tips for supporting mental health in the workplace.
8th - Tłusty Czwartek
Welcoming each other's national traditions is a great way to learn, celebrate and create an inclusive culture. Tłusty Czwartek, also known as 'Fat Thursday', is a Christian tradition in some countries that marks the last Thursday before Lent. As Lent is a fasting period, the days leading up to Ash Wednesday are the final chance for feasting (including indulging in forbidden items) until Easter! Check out our Tłusty Czwartek blog to find out more!
10th - Chinese New Year
Also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, Chinese New Year is the most important festival in China and a major event in some other East Asian countries.
FEBRUARY 2024
Mon
5 12 19 26
Tue
6 13 20 27
Wed
7
14 21 28
Thu
1 8 15 22 29
Fri
2 9 16 23
Sat
3 10 17 24
Sun
4 11 18 25
JANUARY 2024
MARCH 2024
M
1
8
15
22
29
T
2
9
16
23
30
W
3
10
17
24
31
T
4
11
18
25
F
5
12
19
26
S
6
13
20
27
S
7
14
21
28
M
4
11
18
25
T
5
12
19
26
W
6
13
20
27
T
7
14
21
28
F
1
8
15
22
29
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2
9
16
23
30
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3
10
17
24
31
March
8th - International Women's Day
This year’s theme is #InspireInclusion. The aim is to unite and create a more inclusive world for women. Victoria Parker, Operations Director, is our Gender Equity Ambassador and focuses on encouraging more female leaders.
Try this:
Encourage females within your company to talk about their experiences and the support that they’ve had in their career. Here's an example of a video we did at Outsource last year.
10th - Ramadan begins
(dates may vary)
Ramadan is the 9th month in the Islamic lunar calendar. It’s a month of fasting, worship, service, communal gathering and spiritual development celebrated by Muslims. Here are some tips on how you can support your colleagues during Ramadan.
18th - Neurodiversity Celebration Week
Aims for worldwide neurodiversity acceptance. This week’s purpose is to help the world to understand, value and celebrate the talents of neurodiverse minds. Our CEO, Nick Dettmar, is our Neurodiversity Ambassador and has written a blog on why he volunteered to join our team of Inclusion Ambassadors...
MARCH 2024
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
4 11 18 25
5 12 19 26
6 13 20 27
7 14 21 28
1 8 15 22 29
2 9 16 23 30
3 10 17 24 31
FEBRUARY 2024
APRIL 2024
M
5
12
19
26
T
6
13
20
27
W
7
14
21
28
T
1
8
15
22
29
F
2
9
16
23
S
3
10
17
24
S
4
11
18
25
M
1
8
15
22
29
T
2
9
16
23
30
W
3
10
17
24
T
4
11
18
25
F
5
12
19
26
S
6
13
20
27
S
7
14
21
28
April
2nd - World Autism Acceptance Week
Use this week to raise awareness of autism and how it can impact the lives of autistic individuals. The ultimate goal is to educate people and increase their understanding of this condition. Read more about supporting people with autism in our blog.
9th - Eid al-Fitr
(dates may vary)
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting and spiritual reflection. Muslims celebrate with prayer and a big meal, as well as other festivities.
13th - Vaisakhi
Vaisakhi is a religious festival for Sikhs celebrating the birth of their religion, Sikhism.
22nd - Earth Day
Earth Day encourages people to make better choices for a safe environment. Our Green Ambassador, Satinder Lahory, Marketing Business Partner, is leading on some exciting environmentally friendly projects. Check out our blog on one of our sustainability initiatives.
22nd - 30th - Passover (Pesach)
Passover is one of the most significant holidays in the Jewish calendar. Also known as Pesach, it’s a Jewish holiday that marks an eight day festival to commemorate the Israelite’s transition from slavery to freedom after escaping from Egypt. The final day celebrates when Moses parted the red sea to guide the Israelites to freedom.
APRIL 2024
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
1 8 15 22 29
2 9 16 23 30
3 10 17 24
4 11 18 25
5 12 19 26
6 13 20 27
7 14 21 28
MARCH 2024
MAY 2024
M
4
11
18
25
T
5
12
19
26
W
6
13
20
27
T
7
14
21
28
F
1
8
15
22
29
S
2
9
16
23
30
S
3
10
17
24
31
M
6
13
20
27
T
7
14
21
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W
1
8
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2
9
16
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F
3
10
17
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31
S
4
11
18
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S
5
12
19
26
May
13th - Mental Health Awareness Week
Encourage people to speak out and share their reasons for fighting for mental health during Mental Health Awareness Week 2024. Help create a movement for change. Seren Rees, Contractor Services Consultant, is our Mental Health Ambassador and Mental Health First Aider. Find out more about what Seren is doing to support her colleagues in her role as Ambassador.
17th - International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia
The goal of this day is to raise awareness about LGBTQ+ rights across the world and inspire everyone to take action to support the rights of people with different sexual orientations and gender identities who make up the LGBTQ+ community.
Try this:
Take this opportunity to understand the challenges your LGBTQ+ workforce may face and make positive changes to help them feel inclusive. Many organisations have LGBTQ+ employee networks to better support their workforce.
MAY 2024
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
6 13 20 27
7 14 21 28
1 8 15 22 29
2 9 16 23 30
3 10 17 24 31
4 11 18 25
5 12 19 26
APRIL 2024
JUNE 2024
M
1
8
15
22
29
T
2
9
16
23
30
W
3
10
17
24
T
4
11
18
25
F
5
12
19
26
S
6
13
20
27
S
7
14
21
28
M
3
10
17
24
T
4
11
18
25
W
5
12
19
26
T
6
13
20
27
F
7
14
21
28
S
1
8
15
22
29
S
2
9
16
23
30
June
13th - Social Mobility Day
Social Mobility Day promotes conversations and encourages action towards improving social mobility in the UK. Focusing on socio-economic diversity, equity, and inclusion the goal is to increase awareness of social mobility and take steps to address it.
Try this:
Next time you’re hiring, think about:
- Introducing school and university blind recruitment.
- Focus assessments on candidate ambition and potential rather than just academic requirements.
23rd - International Women in Engineering Day
International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) celebrates the work and accomplishments of women engineers. INWED encourages women to pursue engineering careers, highlighting the available opportunities.
Pride Month
Pride Month celebrates the LGBTQ+ community, raises awareness of their challenges and supports the fight for equality and human rights. It’s a colourful and joyful display of love, unity, and resilience, promoting inclusivity, education and celebrating diversity.
Try this:
Look into how you can support Pride events in your local communities and join in the celebration.
JUNE 2024
Mon
3 10 17 24
Tue
4 11 18 25
Wed
5 12 19 26
Thu
6 13 20 27
Fri
7 14 21 28
Sat
1
8 15 22 29
Sun
2
9 16 23 30
MAY 2024
JULY 2024
M
6
13
20
27
T
7
14
21
28
W
1
8
15
22
29
T
2
9
16
23
30
F
3
10
17
24
31
S
4
11
18
25
S
5
12
19
26
M
1
8
15
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T
2
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W
3
10
17
24
31
T
4
11
18
25
F
5
12
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S
6
13
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S
7
14
21
28
July
24th - Samaritans Awareness Day
24th July is Samaritans Awareness Day, because they’re there to listen 24/7. On this date and throughout July, they'll be running their awareness raising campaign, Talk to Us, to remind people that they’re there for anyone who needs someone to listen.
Try this:
Create a safe environment for people to talk. Utilise resources provided by Samaritans to your workforce so that they can find the right support for them. Sarmaritans are available, any time, from any phone on 116 123.
Disability Pride Month
AmeriDisability describes Disability Pride Month as a month to “accept and honour each person’s uniqueness” and “promote visibility and mainstream awareness” of positive pride felt by people with disabilities.
For the disabled community, the month encourages self-acceptance and embracing all disabilities. It’s a chance to focus on and celebrate the disabled community and their pride. Alongside the celebration, the month is also a chance to kickstart conversations about disability experiences and issues.
Spotlight - Working Parents
As we approach the summer holidays, it's a perfect time to check in with working parents. There are many opportunities for businesses to assist parents during the summer break, enabling them to maintain their careers while providing companies access to their valuable skills and expertise.
Our Parent Returner Ambassador, Rebecca Buggs, a Senior Recruiter, has offered valuable insights on how flexible working can effectively support parents.
JULY 2024
Mon
1 8 15 22 29
Tue
2 9 16 23 30
Wed
3 10 17 24 31
Thu
4 11 18 25
Fri
5 12 19 26
Sat
6 13 20 27
Sun
7 14 21 28
JUNE 2024
M
3
10
17
24
T
4
11
18
25
W
5
12
19
26
T
6
13
20
27
F
7
14
21
28
S
1
8
15
22
29
S
2
9
16
23
30
AUGUST 2024
M
5
12
19
26
T
6
13
20
27
W
7
14
21
28
T
1
8
15
22
29
F
2
9
16
23
30
S
3
10
17
24
31
S
4
11
18
25
August
Spotlight - Our Purpose
As there aren't many Inclusion and Diversity days in August, we want to use this opportunity to share more about our purpose at Outsource - to eliminate bias, inequality and privilege within talent engagement.
We believe that people power businesses to be successful – and that’s what we do, power businesses with agile, inclusive and sustainable workforce solutions which allow them to achieve their ambitions.
Everyone should have the opportunity to be the best person for the job – that’s how we approach everything that we do. We believe that it’s a privilege to be able to support people in getting the job that could change their life.
AUGUST 2024
Mon
5 12 19 26
Tue
6 13 20 27
Wed
7 14 21 28
Thu
1 8 15 22 29
Fri
2 9 16 23 30
Sat
3 10 17 24 31
Sun
4 11 18 25
JULY 2024
M
1
8
15
22
29
T
2
9
16
23
30
W
3
10
17
24
31
T
4
11
18
25
F
5
12
19
26
S
6
13
20
27
S
7
14
21
28
SEPTEMBER 2024
M
2
9
16
23
T
3
10
17
24
W
4
11
18
25
T
5
12
19
26
F
6
13
20
27
S
7
14
21
28
S
1
8
15
22
29
September
10th - World Suicide Prevention Day
World Suicide Prevention Day is a chance for us all to come together, raise awareness and take meaningful steps towards preventing suicide and supporting those who may be struggling to cope.
16th - National Working Parents Day
A day to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of parents who juggle multiple responsibilities. Our Families Ambassador, John Crichton, Head of Solutions Delivery, has some great advice on embracing the dual roles.
18th - International Equal Pay Day
Dedicated to raising awareness of women being paid less than their male colleagues and working towards closing the gender pay gap. In 2023, we produced market insights on the gender pay gap in the UK. You can read more in our Gender Diversity Blog in 2023.
23rd - National Inclusion Week
A week to promote inclusion and diversity, and empower people to make a change in their workplace. Inclusion in the workplace isn’t just morally the right thing to do, but it’s key for your business.
Try this:
Introduce employee networks to support different community groups. If you already have them, use this week to promote them internally and externally.
SEPTEMBER 2024
Mon
2 9 16 23
Tue
3 10 17 24
Wed
4 11 18 25
Thu
5 12 19 26
Fri
6 13 20 27
Sat
7 14 21 28
Sun
1 8 15 22 29
AUGUST 2024
M
5
12
19
26
T
6
13
20
27
W
7
14
21
28
T
1
8
15
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2
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3
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31
S
4
11
18
25
OCTOBER 2024
M
7
14
21
28
T
1
8
15
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29
W
2
9
16
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30
T
3
10
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31
F
4
11
18
25
S
5
12
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S
6
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October
7th - Dyslexia Awareness Week
We know that each person with dyslexia experiences it in ways unique to them, each will have their own set of strengths and challenges. The British Dyslexia Association created Dyslexia Awareness Week to celebrate the diversity of the dyslexic community and the rich variety of lived experiences of dyslexia.
10th - World Mental Health Day
World Mental Health Day promotes mental health education, awareness, and advocacy against social stigma.
Try this:
Share the mental health support available to colleagues. Is there more that you could do?
18th - Wear Red Day and World Menopause Day
Wear Red Day
Created by the UK’s leading anti-racism educational charity, Show Racism the Red Card. Wear Red Day encourages everyone to wear red on this day to show support and raise awareness.
Try this:
Encourage your employees to wear red on the day and join in to help raise fund for the charity and take a stand against racism.
World Menopause Day
Creates awareness about menopause and is a great way to show support and learn by sharing knowledge through experiences. Our Head of People and Menopause Ambassador, Anna Kramer, wrote a blog on breaking the stigma.
OCTOBER 2024
Mon
14 21 28
7
Tue
1 8 15 22 29
Wed
2 9 16 23 30
Thu
3 10 17 24 31
Fri
4 11 18 25
Sat
5 12 19 26
Sun
6 13 20 27
SEPTEMBER 2024
M
2
9
16
23
T
3
10
17
24
W
4
11
18
25
T
5
12
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26
F
6
13
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27
S
7
14
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28
S
1
8
15
22
29
NOVEMBER 2024
M
4
11
18
25
T
5
12
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26
W
6
13
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27
T
7
14
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28
F
1
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S
2
9
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3
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November
1st - Diwali
Celebrated by Hindus, also known as the festival of lights that celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil and the human ability to overcome.
12th - Purple Tuesday
Purple Tuesday is a leading brand in improving the experience for disabled people and their families. We use this day to highlight how we can make a difference in recruitment. Check out our blog on ‘How accessible is your recruitment process?’.
11th - Remembrance Day
A day of observance commemorating those who fought and died in the First World War. At the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month - we will remember them.
19th - International Men's Day
A day to highlight the positive value that male colleagues bring to the world, their families and communities.
Try this:
Ask employees to nominate male colleagues that they consider a role model. It’s a great way to give recognition to hard-working people.
NOVEMBER 2024
Mon
4 11 18 25
Tue
5 12 19 26
Wed
6 13 20 27
Thu
7 14 21 28
Fri
1 8 15 22 29
Sat
2 9 16 23 30
Sun
3 10 17 24
OCTOBER 2024
M
7
14
21
28
T
1
8
15
22
29
W
2
9
16
23
30
T
3
10
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31
F
4
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25
S
5
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S
6
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27
DECEMBER 2024
M
2
9
16
23
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3
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24
W
4
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25
T
5
12
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26
F
6
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7
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1
8
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29
December
3rd - International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Raises awareness of people with disabilities and promotes their rights and well-being in society, including political, social, economic, and cultural. Adapting the workplace for people with disabilities creates a strong culture and an inclusive environment. We've got some great tips on encouraging applications from diverse candidates. You can find information on this on our Inclusion and Diversity Hub.
Christmas
Christmas can be a great opportunity to bring your teams together - even if not everyone celebrates the event itself. It’s an opportunity to highlight employees who have gone above and beyond and get into a celebratory and festive spirit! Here’s what we do in the lead-up to Christmas:
Try this:
- Secret Santa - our whole company gets involved.
- Christmas Advent Calendar - where someone wins a prize every day.
- Christmas Wreath Making.
- Support local charities.
- Raise money for Save the Children by encouraging colleagues to get their best festive jumpers on for Christmas Jumper Day.
- Annual Christmas Party - get the whole team together for some festive fun.
- Christmas Picnic - everyone brings in their own favourite festive party food.
DECEMBER 2024
Mon
2 9 16 23
Tue
3 10 17 24
Wed
4 11 18 25
Thu
5 12 19 26
Fri
6 13 20 27
Sat
7 14 21 28
Sun
1 8 15 22 29
NOVEMBER 2024
M
4
11
18
25
T
5
12
19
26
W
6
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27
T
7
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2
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S
3
10
17
24
JANUARY 2025
M
6
13
20
27
T
7
14
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28
W
1
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29
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2
9
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F
3
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31
S
4
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S
5
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Working together to eliminate bias, privilege and inequality in talent engagement
Let’s start the conversation today...
