Many places of business are closed on Monday, May 25th, in celebration of Memorial Day. Originating as a way to honor Union soldiers who gave their lives during the Civil War, Memorial Day has since been extended to honor all fallen soldiers, men and women, who have died during any war or military action.
While many employees look forward to a day off to celebrate this meaningful holiday with family and friends, some organizations stay open for business. Memorial Day can still be special for those individuals who have to work, and can be a fun day of celebration in the workplace.
There are a number of activities that you and your employees can participate in at work on this holiday, including festivities such as:
- Share information about the history of the holiday with employees. Include employees in discussions, inviting them to share what the holiday means to them and any special memories they have.
- Take a break and go enjoy a part of a local Memorial Day parade as a group.
- Decorate the office in themed decor. You can go budget-friendly and get flags, table cloths, and other patriotic decor at a local dollar store to liven the office up for this holiday.
- Serve a picnic lunch (possibly an inclusive potluck everyone can participate in) and enjoy some festivities outdoors to relax and socialize.
- Throw a small party towards the end of the day for employees and their families. Include family-friendly games and patriotic-themed decor and food.
- Give out employee thank you gifts. Consider something that can be shared with their families, such as American flags to decorate with at home or cookies.
Working on holidays can be disheartening, but there are definitely ways to show your appreciation to your employees who still show up and get the job done. A way to both honor those service members and celebrate with your staff and coworkers, engaging in Memorial Day activities in the workplace can be a great way to boost morale and enjoy this day in the office.
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