Labor Day: The When, Why, and How
Labor Day was first celebrated on September 5, 1882, in New York City by the Central Labor Union. By 1894, 23 more states had adopted the holiday, and on June 28, 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed to make the first Monday in September a National Holiday. And so, Labor Day was born.
Labor Day has been regarded as the unofficial end of summertime. Celebrations include picnics, BBQs, parades, fireworks, and much more. A creation of the labor movement, Labor Day is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. The day serves as a tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.
There are many ways to celebrate Labor Day within the workplace. Here are a few of our favorite suggestions:
- Potluck Lunch:
- Invite everyone to bring a dish and set aside a time during the day when the entire team can get together to eat and relax. (Who doesn’t like food?!)
- Personalized Notes:
- Nothing says you care like a personalized note to each employee (if your company size permits it). This shows you have not only thought about them but took the time out of your day to write it out as well.
- Have the Bosses Cook:
- A BBQ is a great way to show your appreciation. Fire up the grill, break out the hotdogs and hamburgers, and spend time relaxing and socializing with the team.
There are a million ways you can celebrate this grand holiday but there are also two very important things that should take place every day.
- Listening to employees:
- People want to be heard, they want to workwitha company, not justfor Being receptive to feedback and being transparent around how you act on it can make a huge difference.
- Showing Gratitude:
- Saying thank you does not have to come from a huge gesture, it can be as simple as taking the time to say thank you face-to-face. Gratitude is and should be, a part of company culture.