Important dates for your HR calendar  2026

As an HR professional, you’re likely looking for the best human resources calendar that’s chock full of new ways to support and engage your people; if that’s the case, then you’re in the right place. Our downloadable employee engagement calendar has all the important dates in 2026 you need to know about, helping you steal a march on the year ahead

January 2026

Brew Monday – 19th January 

For most of us, January can be one tough month. The Christmas hangover is anything but a myth. Whether you’re recovering from the antics of the festive season or struggling to stick to your last-minute resolutions, the ‘Blue Monday’ feeling is all too familiar. 

So, make sure to kick off your HR calendar 2026 with a wellbeing initiative that will get your people out of the inevitable post-holiday slump. Brew Monday is the perfect initiative to do just that. Organised by the Samaritans, Brew Monday is the perfect excuse to catch up over a cuppa.

Brew Monday is a great way to kick off your new human resources calendar and your wellbeing strategy, and to share the support and wellbeing resources your people can access within your organisation. 

Key dates in January for your HR calendar

• 1st January | New Year’s Day
• 4th January | National Trivia Day – A day to engage your employees after they return to work 
• 4th January | World Braille Day 
• 18th January | World Religion Day – Recognise and celebrate everyone’s religion in your workplace and community
• 24th January | International Day of Education
• 25th January | Burns Night

February 2026

Time to Talk Day – 6th February 

Time to Talk Day is important for every HR calendar. Offering another opportunity for friends, peers and colleagues to get together and open conversations around mental health, Time to Talk Day looks to reduce the stigma around mental health in the workplace. 

Take the time to discuss and share wellbeing initiatives and resources, and ensure employees are comfortable enough to reach out for support when needed. 

Random Acts of Kindness Day 17th February 

Random acts of kindness can go a long way. Whether it’s making someone a much-needed brew, or going out of your way to support peers and colleagues, these small actions can have a considerable impact. So why not dedicate a day to these small, impromptu acts of kindness in your workplace? 

Random Acts of Kindness Day is there to do just that: promote and celebrate kindness and generosity in the workplace. Originating in New Zealand, this key employee engagement calendar date for 2026 ensures that we take the time to recognise and appreciate the little acts of kindness that make our lives whole.

Key dates in February for your HR calendar

• National Sickie Day
• World Cancer Day
• 2nd – 8th February | Race Equality Week – A week to recognise equality within the workplace
• 9th – 15th February | National Apprenticeships Week
• 10th February | Safer Internet Day 
• 14th February | Valentine’s Day 
• 17th February | Shrove Tuesday
• 17th February | Chinese New Year
• 17th February | Ramadan Starts 
• 20th February | World Day of Social Justice

March 2026 

National Employee Appreciation Day – 6th March 

Another essential date for your HR annual calendar, National Employee Appreciation Day is the perfect opportunity to show your people appreciation for the incredible work and commitment they show each and every day. 

The aim of this HR calendar event is quite straightforward – it’s in the name. Ensure each and every employee knows they’re appreciated because, after all, people are at the heart of every business. From a small gesture to personal recognition, showing your people you’re thankful can go a long way when it comes to engagement, productivity and retention. 

International Women’s Day – 8th March 

Another important human resources calendar date to remember is International Women’s Day. Celebrated annually on the 8th March, it’s a day to celebrate women’s achievements in the workplace and beyond, and to recognise and challenge the discrimination and inequality women face. 

It’s the perfect opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women in your organisation and to take the time to consider your organisation’s approach to gender equality. 

International Women’s Day is always one of the first dates on our employee engagement calendar. After being named 7th Best Workplace in the UK, and with a workforce of 48% women, we take pride in celebrating International Women’s Day and addressing significant issues such as gender pay disparity and recruitment bias with our people.

Key dates in March for your HR calendar

• 1st March | International Wheelchair Day
• 16th – 22nd March | Neurodiversity Celebration Week – A time to celebrate, appreciate and support neurodiverse people in the workplace
• 17th March | St Patrick’s Day 
• 19th March | Ramadan Ends
• 20th March | International Day of Happiness – Celebrated around the world, International Day of Happiness recognises everything that makes people happy
• 21st March | Red Nose Day
• 31st March | Transgender Day of Visibility

April 2026

World Health Day – 7th April 

At this point in the year, those New Year resolutions you promised yourself you wouldn’t give up on are long gone. The direct debit to the gym has been cancelled and the thought of chocolate eggs is more enticing than a 5k. So, if you think about it, World Health Day couldn’t come at a better time in your annual HR calendar.

Not only is World Health Day a great opportunity to get your fitness back on track, but it also helps raise awareness of various health conditions. So don’t forget to add it to your human resources calendar!

It’s a well-known fact that everyone loves a bit of healthy competition, right? So why not arrange some events to keep World Health Day interesting as part of your employee engagement calendar? A sponsored run, cycle, walk, or swim are all brilliant ways to get your people involved and get active. Want to make it even better? Donate any money raised to the charity of your choice, or one chosen by your people.

April 2026 is also a key month for upcoming changes to employment law, with a considerable amount of changes HR need to be aware of. From revolutionary changes to Day One Rights to updated conduct for Statatory Sick Pay, HR leaders must get ahead now, invest in the relevant hiring technology to ensure recruitment compliance in 2026.

Key dates in April for your HR calendar

• 1st April | April Fools’ Day
• 2nd April | World Autism Awareness Day – A day to raise awareness about autism
• 3rd April | Good Friday
• 5th April | Easter Sunday
• 6th April | Easter Monday
• 6th April | Start of Tax Year
• 7th April | World Health Day
• 22nd April | Earth Day – Celebrate Earth Day with your team by demonstrating your support for environmental protection
• 23rd April | St Georges Day 
• 28th April World Day for Health and Safety at Work – This day focuses on the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases.

Key employment law changes in April 2026: 

• Fair Work Agency: Establishment to enforce rights such as holiday pay and SSP Acas
• Day-one rights for: Paternity leave & Unpaid parental leave
• Statutory Sick Pay (SSP): Paid from the first day of illness & Elimination of the lower earnings limit for eligibility
• Collective redundancy: Maximum protective award for failure to consult increases from 90 to 180 days’ pay
• Whistleblowing protections: Sexual harassment becomes a qualifying disclosure under whistleblowing law
• Trade union rights: Simplified recognition process & Introduction of electronic voting for union ballots

May 2026

Mental Health Awareness Week – 11th – 17th May 

One of the most important dates for your 2026 HR calendar is Mental Health Awareness Week. This mental health awareness day not one to miss out on communicating internally, and is definitely a staple for every HR calendar in 2026. 

During this week, HR professionals can lead and encourage conversations around mental wellbeing and work to ensure employees feel comfortable enough to speak about any mental health difficulties they may have. 

Mental Health Awareness Week is supported by a number of charities, including Mind and the Samaritans, and gives employers the chance to support their people and reduce the stigma around mental health in the workplace. 

International Human Resources Day – 20th May 

It wouldn’t be an human resources calendar without a dedicated day for HR professionals! International HR Day is one of the two employee appreciation days dedicated to the brilliant and essential work human resource teams put in throughout the year. 

No, this isn’t an excuse for a day off; it’s a day to appreciate and pay tribute to colleagues, team members and peers in the HR industry. 

Key dates in May for your HR calendar

• 1st May | International Worker’s Day
• 5th May | Early May Bank Day 
• 11th – 17th May | Learning at Work Week – An annual week promoting learning at work
• 25th May | Spring Bank Holiday

June 2026

Loneliness Awareness Week 8th – 14th June 

No one is immune to loneliness; it’s almost unavoidable at times, yet it’s a subject we often overlook in our adult life. 

To help raise awareness around loneliness in the workplace, the Marmalade Trust organises an annual Loneliness Awareness Week, a key employee engagement calendar date encouraging conversation around loneliness and how to reach out to those who need it. 

As HR professionals, it’s a valuable opportunity to take a look at how you can improve inclusion in the workplace. After all, social interaction plays a big part in employee engagement and wellbeing. 

Take the time to ask yourself if your communal area is a suitable space for your employees to socialise. Does your workplace offer a room for casual interaction between colleagues? Do you host enough inclusive social events? 

There are plenty of things to ponder over during this week, so it’s definitely an important date to include in your 2026 HR calendar. 

Key dates in June for your HR calendar

• Pride Month – Recognise and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community 
• 1st – 7th June | Volunteers’ Week 
• 10th – 11th June | CIPD Festival of Work 
• 13th June | Global Wellness Day – Take a step back from the hustle and bustle, and concentrate on what makes you happy
• 9th – 15th June | International Men’s Health Week – Take the time to recognise and raise awareness of men’s health conditions
• 15th – 21st June | Learning Disability Week
• 22nd – 28th June | World Wellbeing Week

July 2026

International Self-Care Day – 24th July 

You know how it goes; every year, people try their best to make changes to their daily routines to benefit their physical and mental health. But with work, external responsibilities and social commitments all taking time out of our busy schedules, looking after number one can often become an afterthought by this point in the year. 

International Self-Care Day stresses the importance of the self-management of health and promotes the idea of implementing self-care into your daily routine. From lowering anxiety to improving confidence, this important HR calendar date isn’t just about realising the importance of self-care and prioritising yourself. 

It’s also a great chance to enforce the importance of looking after your physical and mental health, and to share any initiatives or resources available to employees to help support self-care. 

Key dates in July for your HR calendar

• Plastic Free July
• 7th July | Thank You Day
• 18th July  Black Leaders Awareness Day – A day to celebrate black leaders in your workplace 
• 30th July | International Day of Friendship – Promote social interaction, understanding and making new connections within your business

August 2026

Cycle to Work Day – 6th August 

The dreaded ‘commute’; whether you love it or hate it, we can’t avoid it…unless you’re lucky enough to work from home, that is. 

But there is a way to make your commute to work somewhat useful, and that’s to cycle to work. With lower emissions, improved physical health, and great benefits to your mental health, it really is a great way to stay active each day. 

Linked closely with the successful cycle-to-work scheme, Cycle to Work Day promotes the idea of a healthier commute for yourself and the planet. 

This annual HR calendar date is a great way to get people active, even if it’s just for one day, and to contribute to your organisation’s sustainability pledge.

Key dates in August for your HR calendar

• National Wellness Month
• 9th August | International Coworking Day
• 14th August | National Financial Awareness Day
• 26th August | Summer Bank Holiday
• 26th August | Women’s Equality Day – A day to celebrate progress towards equality for women in the UK
• 31st August | Summer Bank Holiday

September 2026

National Inclusion Week – 29th September 

Diversity and inclusion are major focuses for HR in 2026. From prioritising worker equity to eliminating discrimination in the workplace, dates focused on D&I should be a key focus in every human resources calendar 

Whilst there is still a way to go, progress should still be recognised, which is exactly what National Inclusion Week is all about. From celebrating diversity and inclusion in your workplace to reflecting on and highlighting areas where you could be doing better, this important date is essential for any human resources calendar. 

International Happiness at Work Week – 21st – 25th October

This one really speaks for itself. A happy workforce = a successful one, and International Happiness at Work Week encourages just that. 

With the aim to cultivate a more positive workplace, this 2026 HR calendar must-have focuses on your people’s satisfaction with their surroundings, roles, and the wider environment. 

It’s a great chance for HR professionals to uncover any issues employees may have (if any) and to start tackling them. 

Fostering a hard-working, educated workforce is essential for business growth, but a workforce cannot be successful if your people aren’t happy. Employee happiness drives better results, improved engagement and, most importantly, it makes employees more likely to stick around in the long run. 

Key dates in September for your HR calendar

• 4th September | National Food Bank Day – Give back to your local community with a local foodbank donation
• 5th September | International Day of Charity 
• 10th September | World Suicide Prevention Day
• 18th September | International Equal Pay Day
• 21st – 25th September | International Happiness at Work Week 
• 22nd September | World Car-free Day
• 25th September | Macmillan Coffee Morning
• 26th September | HR Professional Appreciation Day – It wouldn’t be an HR calendar without an HR appreciation day – celebrate the often-underappreciated work of HR professionals within your organisation

October 2026

National Work-Life Week – 13th – 19th October 

A work-life balance is crucial for everyone, no matter your profession. Everyone needs that healthy balance between their professional life and personal life to stay engaged and focus on their wellbeing. 

Organised to share the importance of a healthy work-life balance, National Work-Life Week provides the chance for HR professionals to communicate the importance of switching off, and share initiatives employees can take to support their wellbeing if they’re feeling overwhelmed at work. 

When promoting the idea of a healthy work-life balance in your employee engagement calendar, consider whether your HR department is doing enough to reduce the risks of burnout and promote a balanced workplace. 

Key dates in October for your HR calendar

• World Black History Month – Celebrate black heritage across your organisation and your wider community 
• 10th October | World Mental Health Day – A day to focus on and raise awareness of mental health issues in your workplace and around the world
• 12th – 18th October | Inclusion Week
• 18th October | World Menopause Day – An opportunity to assess your organisation’s approach to providing menopause support in the workplace

Key employment changes in October 2026

• Ban on fire-and-rehire practices
• Strengthened trade union rights: Enhanced protections for union activities
• Sexual harassment: Employers must take all reasonable steps to prevent workplace harassment

November 2026

International Men’s Day – 19th November 

Celebrated on 19th November, International Men’s Day is a chance to recognise the challenges men face, highlight role models and work to improve male mental health. 

Another key addition to any 2026 HR calendar, keep an eye out for webinars, seminars or other material you can share with your workforce to help engage and inspire your people. 

Key dates in November for your HR calendar

• Movember – A campaign set up to raise awareness for men’s health issues
• 4th November | National Stress Awareness Day – a day to focus on alleviating stress and focus on your mental wellbeing
• 4th – 5th November | CIPD ACE 2026
• 11th November | Remembrance Day
• 13th November | Kindness Day UK
• 30TH November | Computer Awareness Day

December 2026

International Day of Persons with Disabilities – 3rd December 

Sanctioned by the UN, The International Day of Persons with Disabilities celebrates the achievements of people living with disabilities, and raises the importance of integrating disabled persons into every aspect of life. 

International Day of Persons with Disabilities gives you the perfect opportunity to consider whether your HR strategy does enough to support employees with disabilities. It’s also a good opportunity to raise awareness of disabilities, and reinforce the message that not all disabilities are visible. 

As well as adding this to your HR calendar, there are a number of webinars and events you can attend to highlight workplace accessibility. 

Key dates in December for your HR calendar

• 1st December | Giving Tuesday 
• 5th December | International Volunteers Day
• 10th December | Human Rights Day
• 10th December | Christmas Jumper Day – Get into the festive spirit by putting on your favourite Christmas jumper and raising money for charity
• 24th December | Christmas Eve
• 25th December | Christmas Day
• 26th December | Boxing Day
• 28th December | Substitute for Boxing Day 
• 31st December | New Year’s Eve 

And just like that, we’ve come to the end of our 2026 employee engagement calendar. If you want to refer back to our HR calendar, you download our free, printable version so you can have all the important HR dates you need right at your fingertips.

Download our FREE 2026 human resources calendar