One of the best ways to avoid needless employment law disputes is to stay in touch with what your employees are thinking, feeling and doing. As part of our never-ending quest to keep you up-to-speed on the latest developments affecting your workplace, the following is our guide to some of the lesser-known celebrations your employees might be observing this month.

CONTEST: Just to make sure you’re paying attention, I included one made-up item. The rest are very real. The first person to post a comment below identifying the bogus celebration will win a valuable prize.

Month-long Celebrations

• Adopt a Rescued Guinea Pig Month
• Play the Recorder Month
• National On-hold Month
• International Mirth Month

 Weekly Celebrations

• National Return Borrowed Books Week (1-7)
• World Rattlesnake Round-up Week (7-13)
• Celebrate Your Name Week (7-13)
• National Procrastination Week (3-9)
• Root Canal Awareness Week (28-4/3)

Daily Observances

Unfortunately, we already missed Beer Day and National Pig Day, both of which were yesterday. Be sure not to miss:

• National “What If Cats and Dogs Had Opposable Thumbs?” Day (3)
• National Grammar Day (4)
• Nametag Day (5)
• Barbie Day (9)
• Panic Day (9)
• Get Over It Day (9)
• International Day of Awesomeness (10)
• Middle Name Pride Day (12)
• National Open an Umbrella Indoors Day (13)
• Celebrate Pi (3.141592, etc.) Day (14)
• Daylight Savings Day (14), followed immediately by Nap Day (15)
• Buzzards Day (15)
• Lips Appreciation Day (16)
• Awkward Moments Day (18)
• Snowman Burning Day (20)
• Won’t You Be My Neighbor Day (20)
• Corn Dog Day (20)
• International Goof-off Day (22)
• Make Up Your Own Holiday Day (26)
• Quirky Country Music Song Titles Day (27)
• National Spend Most of Your Time Making Fun of States That End in -ota Day (28)
• The Grass Is Always Browner on the Other Side of the Fence Day (30)

What does this mean for employers? If your employees suddenly start napping, procrastinating, goofing off, burning snowmen, appreciating their lips, celebrating root canals, playing the recorder, rounding up rattlesnakes, correcting split infinitives, putting everyone on hold, making up new holidays, repeatedly opening umbrellas indoors and memorizing multi-digit fractional numbers, all while singing country songs like “All My Ex-es Live in Texas,” adopting homeless guinea pigs and endlessly contemplating their other pets’ lack of opposable thumbs, now you know why.

Enjoy the month!

(Sources: holidaysmart.com, emotionscards.com, brownielocks.com)

One of the best ways to avoid needless employment law disputes is to stay in touch with what your employees are thinking, feeling and doing. As part of our never-ending quest to keep you up-to-speed on the latest developments affecting your workplace, the following is our guide to some of the lesser-known holidays/celebrations your employees might be observing the rest of this month.

Just to make sure you’re paying attention, I included one made-up day on our list. The rest are very real. The first person to post a comment below identifying the bogus day will win a valuable prize.

• Bean Day (5)
• Harlem Globetrotters Day (7)
• I’m Not Going to Take it Anymore Day (7)
• National Joy Germ Day (8)
• Show and Tell Day at Work (8)
• Bubble Bath Day (8)
• Fruitcake Toss Day (9)
• Positively Penguins Day (9)
• National Clean Off Your Desk Day (11)
• Cuckoo Dancing Week (11-17)
• National Shout “Booger!” at Noon Day (12)
• Rubber Duckie Day (13)
• Dress Up Your Pet Day (14)
• Appreciate a Dragon Day (16)
• Nothing Day (16)
• Bald Eagle Appreciation Days (17)
• Doo Dah Parade Day (18)
• Winnie the Pooh Day (18)
• Slam Dance Week (17-23)
• International Hunt for Happiness Week (17-23)
• Rid the World of Fad Diets Day (19)
• No Name-calling Week (20-24)
• National Hugging Day (21)
• Answer Your Cat’s Questions Day (22)
• National Pie Day (23)
• Snowplow Mailbox Hockey Day (23)
• Belly Laugh Day (24)
• National Compliment Day (24)
• National Cowboy Poetry Gathering Week (23-29)
• Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day (25)
• Thomas Crapper Day (27)
• Fun at Work Day (29)
• Inane Answering Message Day (30)
• National Seed Swap Day (31)

What does this mean for employers?  If your employees suddenly start hugging, slam dancing, tossing fruitcakes, enjoying germs, swapping seeds, taking bubble baths, doing show and tell, reciting cowboy poetry, hunting for happiness, answering difficult cat questions, leaving inane voicemail messages, parading around shouting “DOO DAH”, playing snowplow mailbox hockey in the company parking lot, expressing appreciation for bubble wrap, dragons, penguins and eagles, and/or doing absolutely nothing all day long, now you know why.

Enjoy the month!

(Sources:  mypunchbowl.com, brownielocks.com, holidaysmart.com, emotionscards.com)

One of the best ways to avoid needless employment law disputes is to stay in touch with what your employees are thinking, feeling and doing. As part of our never-ending quest to keep you up-to-speed on the latest developments affecting your workplace, the following is our guide to some of the lesser-known holidays/celebrations your employees might be observing this month.

Just to make sure you’re paying attention, I included two made-up days on our list.  The rest are very real. The first people to post a comment below identifying the bogus days will win valuable prizes.

• Day Without Art Day (1)
• National Dice Day (4)
• AFL-CIO Day (5)
• Bathtub Party Day (5)
• International Ninja Day (5)
• National Pawnbroker Day (6)
• Cotton Candy Day (7)
• Buy Something You Can’t Afford for Someone Who Doesn’t Need It Day (12)
• Cat Herders Day (15)
• Barbie and Barney Backlash Day (16)
• National Chocolate-covered Anything Day (16)
• National Re-gifting Day (17)
• Underdog Day (18)
• Humbug Day (21)
• National Haiku Day (21)
• Festivus (23)
• No “L” Day (25)
• National Whiner’s Day (26)
• National Chocolate Day (28)
• Falling Needles Family Fest Day (30)
• Finish Everything You Were Supposed to Get Done This Year Day (31)

What does this mean for employers? For decades, employment lawyers have advised their clients to avoid references to any specific celebrations at this time of year and to use instead the seemingly innocuous phrase “Happy Holidays.” But is that good advice?

In light of the above, by uttering ”Happy Holidays” you may be unwittingly sanctioning gambling, whining, cat herding, bathtub partying, pawnbroking, humbuggery, haikus, chocolate over-indulgence, artlessness, discrimination against the letter “L,” violence against beloved children’s icons and unionization of your workforce.

Our advice? Drop the word “Holidays” from any greeting and simply say: “Happy.”

Enjoy the month!

(Sources:  holidaysmart.com, emotionscards.com, brownielocks.com)

One of the best ways to avoid needless employment law disputes is to stay in touch with what your employees are thinking, feeling and doing.  As part of our never-ending quest to keep you up-to-speed on the latest developments affecting your workplace, the following is our guide to some of the lesser-known holidays/celebrations your employees might be observing this month.

Just to make sure you’re paying attention, I included one made-up day on our list.  The rest are very real.  The first person to post a comment or send me an email at blawg@manpower.com identifying the bogus day will win a valuable prize.

Monthly Celebrations

• Return Shopping Carts to the Supermarket Month
• National Get to Know an Independent Real Estate Broker Month
• National Pet Dental Health Month

Weekly Celebrations

• International Hoof Care Week (3-9)
• Dump Your Significant Jerk Week (7-13)
• Jell-O Week (8-14)
• Just Say No to PowerPoints Week (9-15)

Daily Celebrations

• Bean Throwing Day (3)
• Liberace Day (4)
• Move Hollywood and Broadway to Lebanon, Pennsylvania Day (5)
• Weatherman’s Day (5)
• Wear Red Day (6)
• Bubble Gum Day (6)
• Ballet Day (7)
• Wave All Your Fingers At Your Neighbor Day (7)
• International Recession is Officially Over Day (8)
• Read in the Bathtub Day (9)
• White Shirt Day (11)
• Blame Someone Else Day (13)
• Quirky Alone Day (14)
• My Way Day (17)
• Hoodie Hoo Day (20)
• Clam Chowder Day (21)
• Single Tasking Day (21)
• Curling is Cool Day (23)
• International Pancake Day (24)
• Inconvenience Yourself Day (25)
• For Pete’s Sake Day (26)
• International Sword Swallowers Day (28)
• National Tooth Fairy Day (28)

What does this mean for employers?  If your employees suddenly start impersonating Liberace, swallowing swords, wearing tutus, eschewing PowerPoints, hurling garbonzos, inconveniencing themselves, blaming others, incorrectly predicting the weather, encasing office supplies in Jell-O and/or suddenly leaving work to return stolen shopping carts, now you know why.

Enjoy the month!

(Sources:  holidaysmart.com, emotionscards.com, brownielocks.com)

One of the best ways to avoid needless employment law disputes is to stay in touch with what your employees are thinking, feeling and doing.  As part of our never-ending quest to keep you up-to-speed on the latest developments affecting your workplace, the following is our guide to some of the lesser-known holidays/celebrations your employees might be observing the rest of this month.

Just to make sure you’re paying attention, I included one made-up day on our list.  The rest are very real.  The first person to post a comment or send me an email at blawg@manpower.com identifying the bogus day will win a valuable prize.

• Harlem Globetrotters Day (7)
• I’m Not Going to Take it Anymore Day (7)
• National Joy Germ Day (8)
• Show and Tell Day at Work (8)
• Bubble Bath Day (8)
• Elvis Week (8-11)
• Positively Penguins Day (10)
• Cuckoo Dancing Week (11-17)
• National Clean Off Your Desk Day (12)
• Slam Dance Week (15-21)
• Appreciate a Dragon Day (16)
• Nothing Day (16)
• Bald Eagle Appreciation Days (16-18)
• Doo Dah Parade Day (18)
• Winnie the Pooh Day (18)
• International Hunt for Happiness Week (18-24)
• Rid the World of Fad Diets Day (20)
• Penguin Awareness Day (20)
• National Hugging Day (21)
• No Name Calling Week (21-25)
• Answer Your Cat’s Questions Day (22)
• National Pie Day (23)
• Snowplow Mailbox Hockey Day (23)
• Belly Laugh Day (24)
• National Compliment Day (24)
• National Cowboy Poetry Gathering Week (24-30)
• Fun at Work Day (25)
• Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day (26)
• Thomas Crapper Day (27)
• Bring Ted Nugent to Work Day (28)
• Inane Answering Message Day (30)
• National Seed Swap Day (31)

What does this mean for employers?  If your employees suddenly start hugging, slam dancing, enjoying germs, swapping seeds, taking bubble baths, doing show and tell, reciting cowboy poetry, hunting for happiness, answering difficult cat questions, leaving inane voicemail messages, parading around shouting “DOO DAH”, playing snowplow mailbox hockey in the company parking lot, expressing appreciation for bubble wrap, dragons, penguins and eagles, and/or doing absolutely nothing all day long, now you know why.

Enjoy the month!

(Sources:  holidaysmart.com, emotionscards.com, brownielocks.com)

One of the best ways to avoid needless employment law disputes is to stay in touch with what your employees are thinking, feeling and doing.  As part of our never-ending quest to keep you up-to-speed on the latest developments affecting your workplace, the following is our guide to some of the lesser-known holidays/celebrations your employees might be observing this month.

Just to make sure you’re paying attention, I included one made-up day on our list.  The rest are very real.  The first person to post a comment or send me an email at blawg@manpower.com identifying the bogus day will win a valuable prize.

• Day Without Art Day (1)
• National Dice Day (4)
• AFL-CIO Day (5)
• Bathtub Party Day (5)
• National Pawnbroker Day (6)
• Buy Something You Can’t Afford for Someone Who Doesn’t Need It Day (12)
• Cat Herders Day (15)
• Barbie and Barney Backlash Day (16)
• National Chocolate-covered Anything Day (16)
• Humbug Day (21)
• National Haiku Day (22)
• No “L” Day (25)
• National Whiner’s Day (26)
• National Chocolate Day (28)

What does this mean for employers?  For decades, employment lawyers have advised their clients to avoid references to any specific celebrations at this time of year and to instead use the seemingly innocuous phrase “Happy Holidays.”  But is that good advice? 

In light of the above, by uttering ”Happy Holidays” you may be unwittingly sanctioning gambling, whining, cat herding, bathtub partying, pawnbroking, humbuggery, unions, haikus, chocolate over-indulgence, artlessness, discrimination against the letter “L” and violence against beloved children’s icons.

Our advice?  Drop the word “Holidays” from any greeting and simply say:  “Happy.”

Enjoy the month!

(Sources:  holidaysmart.com, emotionscards.com, brownielocks.com)

One of the best ways to avoid needless employment law disputes is to stay in touch with what your employees are thinking, feeling and doing.  As part of our never-ending quest to keep you up-to-speed on the latest developments affecting your workplace, the following is our guide to some of the lesser-known holidays/celebrations your employees might be observing this month.

Just to make sure you’re paying attention, I included one made-up day on our list.  The rest are very real.  The first person to post a comment or send me an email at blawg@manpower.com identifying the bogus day will win a valuable prize.

• Cliche Day (3)
• National Chicken Lady Day (4)
• King Tut Day (4)
• Use Your Common Sense Day (4)
• National Men Make Dinner Day (6)
• Guinness World Record Day (6)
• National Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day (7)
• International Tongue Twister Day (8)
• Abet and Aid Punsters Day (8)
• Cook Bold and Pungent Day (8)
• Area Code Day (10)
• Bring Back All the Office Supplies You’ve Stolen From Work Day (11)
• World Kindness Day (13)
• Accountants Day (13)
• Loosen Up, Lighten Up Day (14)
• National Teddy Bear Day (14)
• National Bundt Pan Day (15)
• Married to a Scorpio Support Day (18)
• Mickey Mouse Day (18)
• Push-button Phone Day (18)
• Have a Bad Day Day (19)
• Name Your PC Day (20)
• World Hello Day (21)
• Alaskan Humor Day (22)
• International Aura Awareness Day (22)
• You’re Welcomegiving Day (23)
• Celebrate Your Unique Talent Day (24)
• Buy Nothing Day (28)
• Flossing Day (28)
• National Salespersons Day (28)
• Sinkie Day (aka Eat All the Thanksgiving Leftovers Over the Sink Day) (28)
• Electronic Greetings Day (29)
• National Meth Awareness Day (30)
• Call In Well Day (30)

What this means for employers.  If your employees suddenly start spouting cliches, hugging accountants, calling in well, flossing incessantly, attempting to set the world record for most people stuffed inside a single conference room, cooking “bold and pungent” dishes in the break room, singing bad Steve Martin songs, banging bundt pans together, wearing mouse ears, repeatedly reciting their area codes, aiding and abetting punsters, imitating Tina Fey imitating Sarah Palin and/or occasionally using their common sense, now you know why.

Enjoy the month!

(Sources:  holidaysmart.com, emotionscards.com, brownielocks.com)

One of the best ways to avoid needless employment law disputes is to stay in touch with what your employees are thinking, feeling and doing.  As part of our never-ending quest to keep you up-to-speed on the latest developments affecting your workplace, the following is our guide to some of the lesser-known holidays/celebrations your employees might be observing this month.

Just to make sure you’re paying attention, I included one made-up day on our list.  The rest are very real.  The first person to send an email to blawg@manpower.com identifying the bogus day will win a valuable prize.

Month-long Observances

• National Sarcastic Awareness Month
• Squirrel Awareness Month
• Celebrate Sun Dried Tomatoes Month
• Go Hog Wild — Eat Country Ham Month
• National Bake and Decorate Month
• National Caramel Month
• National Cookie Month
• National Dental Hygiene Month
• National Liver Awareness Month
• National Roller Skating Month

Weekly Observances

• National Carry a Tune Week (5-11)
• National Chemistry Week (19-25)
• National Massage Therapy Week (19-25)
• International Magic Week (25-31)

Daily/Weekly Observances

• Fire Pup Day (1)
• World Farm Animals Day (2)
• Techies Day (3)
• World Smile Day (3)
• Toot Your Flute Day (4)
• Mad Hatter Day (6)
• International Top Spinning Day (8)
• National Bring Your Teddy Bear to Work Day (8)
• General Casimir Pulaski Memorial Day (11)
• Reptile Awareness Day (11)
• International Moment of Frustration Scream Day (12)
• Be Bald and Be Free Day (14)
• National Grouch Day (15)
• Dictionary Day (16)
• Mulligan Day (17)
• World Toy Camera Day (18)
• Evaluate Your Life Day (19)
• Bela Lugosi Day (20)
• International Send $100 to Mark Toth Day (22)
• National Mole Day (23)
• TV Talk Show Host Day (23)
• International Bandanna Day (24)
• Mother-in-law Day (26)
• Cranky Co-workers Day (27)
• National Chocolates Day (28)
• Haunted Refrigerator Night (30)
• National Knock-knock Jokes Day (31)

What this means for employers.  If your employees suddenly start being sarcastic to squirrels, sawing co-workers in half, quoting the dictionary, shaving their heads, tooting their flutes, conducting chemistry experiments, massaging one another, bringing farm animals, reptiles and mothers-in-law to work and/or eating loads of chocolates, cookies, caramels and cake and then incessantly brushing and flossing, now you know why.

Enjoy the month!

(Sources:  holidaysmart.com, emotionscards.com, brownielocks.com)

One of the best ways to avoid needless employment law disputes is to stay in touch with what your employees are thinking, feeling and doing.  As part of our never-ending quest to keep you up-to-speed on the latest developments affecting your workplace, the following is our guide to some of the lesser-known holidays/celebrations your employees might be observing this month.

Just to make sure you’re paying attention, I included one made-up day on our list.  The rest are very real.  The first person to send an email to blawg@manpower.com identifying the bogus day will win a valuable prize.

Month-long Observances

• Subliminal Communications Month
• Mold Awareness Month
• Metaphysical Awareness Month
• National Mushroom Month

Daily/Weekly Observances

• Chicken Boy Day (1)
• Be Late for Something Day (5)
• Fight Procrastination Day (6)
• Line Dance Week (8-13)
• National Boss/Employee Exchange Day (8)
• Video Games Day (12)
• Blame Someone Else Day (13)
• Bald is Beautiful Day (13)
• Stay Away from Seattle Day (16)
• Thank You Day (18)
• Talk Like a Pirate Day (19)
• Big Whopper Liar Day (20)
• International Leave Work at 10:37 a.m. Day (21)
• Elephant Appreciation Day (22)
• Punctuation Day (24)
• National One Hit Wonder Day (25)
• Love Note Day (26)
• Shamu the Whale Day (26)
• National Hunting and Fishing Day (27)
• Hug a Vegetarian Day (28)
• National Good Neighbor Day (28)

What this means for employers.  If your employees suddenly start line dancing, communicating subliminally, arriving late, blaming others, talking like pirates, shaving their heads, avoiding Seattle, exchanging bosses, appreciating elephants, sending love notes, hugging vegetarians, correcting your punctuation, hunting for big game in the company cafeteria and/or incessantly singing Disco Duck, Funktyown, Kung Fu Fighting, The Macarena or any other one-hit wonders, now you know why.

Enjoy the month!

(Sources:  holidaysmart.com, emotionscards.com, brownielocks.com)

One of the best ways to avoid needless employment law disputes is to stay in touch with what your employees are thinking, feeling and doing.  As part of our never-ending quest to keep you up-to-speed on the latest developments affecting your workplace, the following is our guide to some of the lesser-known holidays/celebrations your employees might be observing this month.

Just to make sure you’re paying attention, I have included one made-up day on our list.  The rest are very real.  The first person to send an email to blawg@manpower.com identifying the made-up day will win a valuable prize.

• Work Like a Dog Day (1)
• Spiderman Day (1)
• National Mustard Day (2)
• National Clown Week (3-9)
• National Chocolate Chip Day (4)
• Intimate Apparel Week (4-8)
• Psychic Sunday (5)
• National Fresh Breath Day (6)
• Particularly Preposterous Packaging Day (7)
• Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor’s Porch Night (8)
• National Duran Duran Appreciation Day (10)
• S’mores Day (10)
• Weird Contest Week (10-15)
• Eleanor Roosevelt Day (12)
• International Left-Hander’s Day (13)
• National Underwear Day (13)
• Herbert Hoover Day (13)
• National Men’s Grooming Day (15)
• National Relaxation Day (15)
• Elvis Remembrance Day (16) 
• Meaning of “Is” Day (17)
• Bad Poetry Day (18)
• Root Beer Float Day (19)
• Sculpture Day (19)
• Southern Hemisphere Hoodie Hoo Day (22)
• Tooth Fairy Day (22)
• National Truck Driver Appreciation Day (24)
• Steal a Lunch That Looks Better Than Yours Out of the Company Fridge Day (26)
• Global Forgiveness Day (27)
• Race Your Mouse Around the Icons While Waiting for Downloads Day (28)
• More Herbs, Less Salt Day (29)
• National Toasted Marshmallow Day (30)
• Love Litigating Lawyers Day (31)

What this means for employers.  If your employees suddenly start loving lawyers, packaging preposterously, wearing intimate apparel, spouting bad poetry, debating the meaning of “is”, making psychic predictions, wearing rubber noses, holding stapler-eating contests, sculpting likenesses of their favorite truck drivers, roasting marshmallows over open fires in their cubicles and/or imitating Elvis, Duran Duran, Eleanor Roosevelt or Herbert Hoover, now you know why.

Enjoy the month!

(Sources:  holidaysmart.com, emotionscards.com, brownielocks.com)