25 Creative Ways to Celebrate International HR Day in 2025

International HR Day is a global observance dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the importance of human resources (HR) professionals and their contributions to organizations worldwide.

It is a day that highlights the crucial role HR practitioners play in managing and developing the most valuable asset of any organization its people. 

International HR Day serves as an opportunity to raise awareness about the significance of HR functions and their impact on the overall success of businesses.

It acknowledges the efforts of HR professionals who work tirelessly to ensure effective recruitment, employee engagement, talent development, performance management, and fostering a positive work environment. 

The day aims to promote the value of HR as a strategic partner within organizations, emphasizing the critical role they play in aligning human capital with business objectives.

It also recognizes the continuous learning and professional development that HR practitioners undertake to stay updated with evolving workplace trends and best practices. 

When is International HR Day celebrated? 

International HR Day is celebrated every year on May 20. Spearheaded by the European Association for People Management (EAPM), it’s globally recognized as a time to elevate and appreciate the HR profession across industries and regions. 

Whether you’re an HR leader or part of any department, HR Day serves as a reminder to support those who support everyone else.  

Role of HR Professionals 

HR professionals are instrumental in shaping and driving organizational success. They are responsible for aligning the organization's goals with its human resources, ensuring the right talent is in place, and creating a positive work environment that promotes employee growth and engagement. 

HR professionals also play a crucial role in managing employee relations, implementing policies and procedures, and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. 

They serve as advocates for employees and bridge the gap between management and staff, ensuring a harmonious and productive work environment. Ultimately, they shape a culture that supports growth, belonging, and performance. 

Why is International HR Day important? 

The primary purpose of International HR Day is to acknowledge the critical role HR professionals play in organizations. HR departments are responsible for managing the human capital of an organization, including talent acquisition, employee engagement, training and development, performance management, and fostering a positive work culture. 

International HR Day aims to recognize the efforts of HR professionals and highlight their impact on the organization's success, employee well-being, and overall business performance. 

International HR Day helps organizations acknowledge the invisible work HR teams do every day. It also strengthens their role as strategic partners who align human capital with company objectives. 

What are the themes of International HR Day? 

Each year, International HR Day adopts a theme that reflects global workplace trends. Themes have included: 

• Shaping the new future of work 
• Leading with ethical use of technology 
• Championing employee well-being 
• Driving diversity and inclusion 

Aligning your celebration with the annual theme adds relevance and helps highlight your organization's HR priorities. So here are 15 unique ideas to celebrate the International HR Day in 2025. 

15 Unique ideas to celebrate International HR Day in 2025 

International HR Day is an excellent opportunity to recognize and appreciate the vital role that Human Resources (HR) professionals play in an organization. Here are some ideas to celebrate International HR Day 

1. Recognition and appreciation event 

Organize a special event to recognize and appreciate the efforts of your HR team. Invite employees from across the organization to participate in the event and express their gratitude for the HR department's support. 

This event can include speeches, awards, certificates, or even a fun activity like a team-building game. Highlight the achievements and contributions of the HR team and emphasize their impact on the success of the organization. 

2. Professional development workshops 

Invest in the professional growth of your HR team by organizing workshops or training sessions on current HR trends, practices, and technologies. 

Invite renowned speakers or HR consultants to deliver informative sessions that can enhance the skills and knowledge of your HR professionals. This not only shows your commitment to their development but also empowers them to bring innovative solutions to the organization. 

3. Employee feedback and suggestions 

On International HR Day, encourage employees to provide feedback and suggestions regarding HR policies, processes, and initiatives. Create a platform or survey where employees can openly share their opinions and ideas. 

This demonstrates the HR department's commitment to listening to employees' voices and ensuring that their needs are met. Evaluate the feedback received and implement improvements or changes based on the valuable input from your workforce. 

4. HR appreciation wall 

Set up an HR appreciation wall in a prominent area of the office. Encourage employees to write messages of appreciation and recognition for the HR team. 

This visual display of gratitude creates a positive and inclusive atmosphere within the organization, reminding everyone of the value HR professionals bring to the workplace. It also serves as a morale booster for the HR team and reinforces their sense of purpose. 

5. Employee well-being initiatives 

International HR day is an ideal occasion to launch or promote employee well-being initiatives. Collaborate with the HR department to introduce programs such as wellness challenges, meditation sessions, or stress management workshops. 

These activities prioritize employees' physical and mental well-being, showcasing the HR team's dedication to creating a supportive work environment. Additionally, such initiatives contribute to overall employee engagement and productivity. 

6. HR spotlight interviews 

Create a series of HR spotlight interviews that showcase different HR team members. Record short video interviews or written profiles highlighting their roles, achievements, and personal stories. 

Share these interviews on your company's intranet, social media platforms, or during a special HR day event. This not only celebrates individual HR professionals but also provides insights into the diverse roles and responsibilities within the HR department. 

7. Mentorship program 

Launch a mentorship program specifically designed for HR professionals. Pair experienced HR leaders with junior HR staff or individuals interested in pursuing a career in hr. This program fosters knowledge sharing, professional growth, and networking opportunities. 

HR professionals can learn from each other's experiences, exchange best practices, and build strong relationships within the HR community. 

8. HR appreciation video 

Create a heartfelt appreciation video where employees, managers, and executives express their gratitude for the HR department's contributions. Ask individuals to record short video messages, highlighting specific instances where HR professionals have positively impacted their work and lives. 

Compile these videos into a montage and share it with the HR team on International HR Day. This personalized gesture can be deeply meaningful and reinforce the value of HR professionals in the organization. 

9. HR best practices showcase 

Organize an interactive session where HR professionals can present and share their best practices with their colleagues. Encourage HR team members to prepare short presentations or demonstrations on topics such as employee engagement, performance management, diversity, and inclusion, or talent acquisition strategies. 

This allows HR professionals to learn from each other's successes, exchange ideas, and inspire innovation within the HR department. 

10. HR community service initiative 

Demonstrate the HR department's commitment to social responsibility by organizing a community service initiative. Identify a local charity or nonprofit organization that aligns with your company's values and engage HR professionals in volunteering activities. 

It could involve organizing a donation drive, participating in a clean-up campaign, or offering HR expertise to support the organization's HR needs. This initiative celebrates international HR day and strengthens the HR team's bond and fosters a sense of purpose by giving back to the community. 

11. HR appreciation breakfast 

Host a special HR appreciation breakfast in the office. Arrange for a catered breakfast or encourage employees to bring homemade dishes to share. Decorate the breakroom or a designated area with balloons and banners expressing gratitude to the HR team. 

During the breakfast, have employees take turns sharing personal stories or moments where the HR department provided exceptional support or assistance. This informal gathering fosters a sense of community and appreciation within the workplace. 

12. HR knowledge exchange 

Organize a knowledge exchange session where HR professionals can share their expertise with employees from other departments. Each HR team member can present a short workshop or talk on a specific HR topic of interest. 

For example, one HR professional can discuss effective onboarding practices, while another can cover performance management strategies. This interactive session promotes cross-departmental learning and helps employees understand the value and impact of HR initiatives. 

13. HR fun fair 

Transform a section of the office into an hr-themed fun fair. Set up different booths representing various HR functions such as recruitment, training, benefits, and employee engagement. Each booth can provide interactive activities, games, or quizzes related to the respective HR area. 

Employees can participate and learn more about the HR department's responsibilities and the services they provide. Offer small prizes or tokens of appreciation for those who visit all the booths. 

14. HR awards ceremony 

Create HR-specific awards to recognize outstanding HR professionals in different categories. These awards can include "HR Innovator of the Year," "Employee Champion," or "Culture Builder." encourage employees to nominate their colleagues or HR professionals they believe deserve recognition. 

Hold a special awards ceremony where the winners are announced and presented with trophies or certificates. This event highlights the exceptional work of HR professionals and motivates others to strive for excellence. 

15. HR charity fundraiser 

Organize a charity fundraiser event led by the HR department. Choose a cause or charity that aligns with your organization's values and create fundraising activities such as bake sales, raffles, or auctions. Encourage employees to participate and donate to support the cause. 

Additionally, consider involving HR professionals in the planning and execution of the event to showcase their organizational and project management skills. This initiative not only celebrates international HR day but also demonstrates the HR department's commitment to making a positive impact beyond the workplace. 

These ideas provide opportunities to celebrate International HR Day while promoting engagement, collaboration, and appreciation within the office environment. Adapt them to suit your company culture and resources for a memorable and meaningful celebration. 

16. Curate an “HR impact timeline” 

Celebrate the journey of your HR department by creating a visual timeline of its milestones—from launching new policies to supporting major organizational shifts. This retrospective shows how HR careers evolve and impact the organization. 

17. Organize a “Walk in HR’s shoes” challenge 

Give employees from other departments the opportunity to shadow HR professionals for a day. This promotes appreciation and understanding of the challenges HR teams navigate daily, especially on HR professional day. 

18. Launch an “HR gratitude journal” 

Create a digital gratitude journal where employees can log what they appreciate about their HR team throughout the week. At the end of HR Day, compile the entries and present them as a keepsake to the department. 

19. Host a panel on the future of HR careers 

Invite internal and external HR leaders to discuss trends shaping the future of work. Use this as an opportunity for employees to ask questions and explore the evolving nature of HR roles—perfect for celebrating HR careers on International HR Day. 

20. Collaborate on a LinkedIn HR spotlight series 

Share posts spotlighting your HR professionals, their contributions, and their perspectives. This external recognition can help elevate your employer brand and showcase your commitment to celebrating HR careers. 

21. Create an “HR values board” 

Let the HR team define the core values they embody—like empathy, inclusion, and integrity—and create a visual board or digital post highlighting these values. It reinforces the purpose behind HR work. 

22. Launch a “Thank an HR pro” social campaign 

Encourage employees to post messages on your company’s intranet or social channels thanking HR professionals using hashtags like #HRDay or #HRAppreciation. It brings visibility to HR’s role beyond internal teams. 

23. Offer HR-led learning labs for managers 

Have HR run bite-sized, interactive learning sessions for people managers on topics like inclusive hiring, empathetic leadership, or conflict resolution. These labs help build stronger HR-business partnerships. 

24. Host a global HR quiz 

Make it fun with a trivia quiz based on HR policies, DEI stats, or notable HR events. Offer small prizes for winners. This promotes HR literacy across the workforce in a lighthearted way. 

25. Launch an HR innovation challenge 

Encourage your HR team to pitch new initiatives or improvements they’d like to test. Offer small budgets or pilot opportunities to implement selected ideas. This promotes empowerment and forward-thinking in HR. 

So, which International HR Day ideas are right for your organization? 

Choose ideas that fit your workplace culture and resources: 

• Small businesses might lean toward informal gestures like breakfasts or thank-you videos. 
• Larger organizations can invest in full-scale events, awards, and learning sessions. 

The key is to ensure the celebration feels authentic, reflects genuine appreciation, and aligns with your company values. When done right, celebrating HR careers can boost morale across the board. 

How can Empuls help you celebrate International HR Day? 

Empuls, an all-in-one employee engagement platform, helps organizations meaningfully recognize, appreciate, and connect with their HR teams and broader workforce. Here’s how Empuls can make your International HR Day celebrations more impactful and engaging: 

Streamline HR recognition and rewards 

Empuls makes it simple to run customized employee recognition campaigns for HR Day. Send personalized appreciation messages, spotlight HR team achievements, and issue digital rewards or badges—all in one place. 

Launch interactive celebrations 

With Empuls’ internal social feed and communication tools, you can: 

• Publish employee appreciation messages 
• Share spotlight interviews 
• Run themed quizzes or fun polls 
• Create a virtual appreciation wall 

These features encourage organization-wide participation and make the celebration more fun and inclusive.  

Gather real-time employee feedback 

Want to understand how employees view HR’s support and impact? Use employee feedback surveys to run pulse surveys or gather suggestions. Celebrate HR by turning feedback into meaningful change. 

Promote learning and development 

Announce and manage HR Day workshops, mentorship sessions, or share curated learning resources right through Empuls. Recognize the continuous growth mindset of HR teams while aligning with your culture goals. 

Drive meaningful CSR initiatives 

Planning a fundraiser or volunteer event as part of your celebration? Empuls supports employee volunteering and CSR efforts, helping teams plan, promote, and track participation—all while reinforcing company values. 

 Conclusion 

International HR Day is a special occasion dedicated to recognizing the indispensable role of HR professionals in organizations worldwide. By acknowledging their efforts and contributions, we honor the individuals who work diligently to create positive work environments, support employee growth and well-being, and drive organizational success. 

This day serves as a reminder of HR departments' significance and impact on talent management, employee engagement, and fostering a positive workplace culture. 

Celebrating International HR Day provides an opportunity to express gratitude and appreciation for HR professionals who play a vital role in shaping organizations and the lives of employees.

Whether through recognition events, professional development opportunities, employee appreciation initiatives, knowledge sharing, or giving back to the HR community, there are countless ways to make this day special and meaningful. 

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