What Is May Day?
May Day is the popular term for the International Worker’s Day. Celebrated on May 1st every year in many countries around the globe (including India), the International Worker’s Day is a commemoration of the historic struggles and achievements of the labour movement.
May 1st was designated as the International Worker’s Day in 1889. Since then, May Day has become synonymous with labour rights and worker’s welfare. The day is often marked by events and demonstrations organised by workers and labour unions.
May Day In India
The workers’ movement has a long history in India. The first-ever May Day celebrations in the country were held in 1923 by the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan. In many countries around the globe, May Day is observed as a public holiday.
The status of May Day is a bit more complicated in India. It is not a recognised national holiday under the Official Gazette of the central government. However, May 1 is officially a public holiday for banks, offices and other institutions in multiple states like Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Sikkim and Kerala.
What Is The Significance Of May Day?
May Day originated in an era when labour exploitation was the norm and workers had to struggle for even basic rights like fair pay and an eight-hour workday. While many of these original concerns may seem far removed from the modern workplace, May Day remains highly relevant from the perspective of employee welfare.
Even in the 21st century, there exists several compelling reasons why you may want to recognise and acknowledge May Day as an employer or business leader:
An opportunity to acknowledge employee contributions
As a day of historic significance, May 1st represents a potent opportunity for employers to recognise the contribution of employees.
Employee expectations are constantly evolving – particularly in India, over 61% of jobseekers wanted leaders who are more positive and capable of appreciating employee efforts. May Day could be a great opportunity to show this appreciation.
When employees feel that their contributions are acknowledged and valued, they are more likely to stay with your organisation. It can boost staff morale, reduce stress at work, and help in improving both productivity and employee retention levels.
A platform to promote positive employer-employee relations
The nature of employer-employee relations have changed dramatically in the last 100 years. However, many of the concerns raised by worker’s rights advocates in the 19th century remain valid even today. Issues like employee well-being, fair treatment and workplace safety cannot be ignored.
May Day provides a symbolic platform for you to engage in open dialogue with your employees regarding these serious issues. Employers can use the occasion to listen to the concerns of workers and seek feedback and suggestions for improving workplace conditions.
By acknowledging the significance of May Day and using it to promote dialogue and open communication, you can improve employer-employee relations.
A reminder of employer obligations and labour-related risks
May Day can also serve as a reminder of your obligations to employees – respect for their right to workplace safety, fair and equitable remuneration, equal opportunities, freed from discrimination and abuse, and privacy, among others.
Any failure on your part to adequately respect and enforce these rights can lead to significant risks, from productivity losses to high levels of attrition, low workplace morale, damage to your employer brand and even legal repercussions in extreme situations.
On the other hand, prioritising the wellbeing and rights of your employees can help to safeguard your business against many potential liabilities. There is clear academic evidence based on data collected by Indeed that shows a direct correlation between workplace wellbeing and profitability.
5 Ways You Can Conduct May Day Celebrations In Your Organisation
Millennials and Gen Z constitute a significant chunk of the modern workforce in India. Workers from these cohorts often display a strong preference for authenticity and values.
Here are some potential ways in which you can commemorate May Day in the office:
1. Organise fun activities and events
Outdoor picnics and other fun, engaging activities are a great way to show your appreciation for employees on May Day. Ideally, you may want to plan the events based on inputs from the employees. Including them in the decision-making process can help promote a sense of ownership and engagement.
2. Recognise and appreciate employee contributions
You can also use special events in the office to acknowledge and celebrate the accomplishments of your team from the previous year. Focus on the major milestones and try to gift small tokens of appreciation to every single member of the workplace.
3. Support causes important to your employees
According to multiple surveys, issues like social equity, diversity and environmental sustainability are important to almost 99% of employees in India. They expect their organisations to do more in the field of ESG.
You can use May Day as an opportunity to support a cause that is important for your employees. Allow them to pick a charity or cause and then make appropriate contributions to the cause, either through donations or other activities like volunteer work and fundraising initiatives.
4. Host a town hall or Q&A sessions
May Day can also be used as an annual platform to foster greater interaction and dialogue between employees and the senior management in your organisation. Events like a town hall session allow employees to ask questions and engage in constructive discussions with the leadership.
You may have to be prepared for dialogue on issues like compensation, diversity and work-life balance. Flexible work options top the list of priorities for workers in India these days, followed by psychological safety, diversity and inclusion, and pay transparency.
5. Provide career development opportunities
May Day is also an excellent opportunity to offer various career advancement opportunities like professional development workshops, training sessions, and educational seminars. Look for ways in which you can help employees expand their skills and career prospects.
Indeed surveys indicate that at least 44% of jobseekers prefer employers who can provide enhanced learning and development opportunities. A further 50% considered the “opportunity to grow” as the definition of a great workplace. You can select workshops and events based on employee feedback to maximise their positive impact.
Key Takeaways
As an employer, May Day presents an opportunity to advance meaningful engagement with your workers for mutual benefit.
Acknowledging your employees, making them feel valued and identifying the ways in which you can improve their work can boost morale. In return, your organisation will enjoy the productivity and reputational benefits from increased employee satisfaction, trust and loyalty.
