Recognising your HR team on International HR Day – May 20th. Your HR team is the heartbeat of your workplace. They shape culture, champion engagement, and support employees through every step of their journey. And while much of their impact happens behind the scenes, their contributions keep your organisation running smoothly.
International HR Day on May 20th is a perfect moment to shine a light on their efforts—from fostering inclusivity and enhancing wellbeing to delivering employee benefits and driving workplace transformation. As an HR leader, you’re in the best position to ensure your team feels valued and appreciated—not just on HR Day, but all year round.
Why recognition matters for HR
Recognition isn’t just for the broader workforce—it’s essential for HR professionals, too. When HR teams feel acknowledged, they’re more engaged, motivated, and committed to creating great workplace experiences. Just as they nurture a culture of recognition for others, they deserve to feel valued for their contributions.
Here’s how HR leaders can champion recognition for your HR team on International HR Day:
1. Make recognition visible
Public appreciation can go a long way. Share an intranet post or a LinkedIn update spotlighting your HR team’s achievements. Highlight specific initiatives or team wins to show their tangible impact. Research shows that people who believe their contributions will be recognised by their workplace are 2.7 times more likely to be highly engaged.1
More Resources: Employer Branding and Authenticity – 3 Truths HR Teams Can’t Ignore
Use this guide to frame your recognition message in an authentic, brand-aligned way that resonates with your broader workforce.
2. Host a team celebration
Organise a casual get-together to recognise and appreciate your team’s hard work and achievements. Whether it’s a casual Friday get-together, a morning tea, or an end-of-project gathering, taking the time to celebrate can significantly boost team morale.
Consider giving shout-outs to individuals or teams for specific contributions, sharing a few words of thanks, or incorporating a fun activity like a quiz or team awards. It doesn’t have to be elaborate—what matters most is showing genuine appreciation and creating a positive moment for the team to connect and recharge.
3. Share employee testimonials
Collect feedback from employees about how HR has helped improve their experience—whether it’s through onboarding, wellbeing support, or conflict resolution. Sharing these stories in team meetings or internal channels reinforces the HR team’s real impact.
More resources: Engage Your People – Tips and Tools
Use this collection to better understand the drivers of engagement and how to capture meaningful feedback.
4. Invest in their growth
Recognition can also come in the form of development. Offering professional learning opportunities, providing key resources and insights into the HR landscape, or mentoring programs to support their career progression. Research shows that 94% of employees would stay at a company longer if it invested in their learning and development.2
More Resources: Delivering Financial Wellbeing with Impact – A 5-Step Guide for HR
Recognised as 1 CPD point by AHRI, this practical guide equips HR professionals with actionable tools to lead and enhance workplace wellbeing initiatives.
Continue to cultivate a culture of recognition
Recognition isn’t just about a single day—it’s about fostering a culture where HR professionals feel valued year-round. When your HR team is engaged and motivated, they are better equipped to drive the initiatives that support your entire workforce. This International HR Day, take the lead in ensuring your team gets the appreciation they deserve. Because a thriving workplace starts with a recognised and empowered HR team.
1. Quantum Workplace, Driving Employee Success - Employee Engagement Trends Report, 2023
2. LinkedIn, Building the agile future - Workplace Learning Report, 2023
