How to be sensitive when engaging employees around Memorial Day

Memorial Day weekend in the United States is, in practice, often celebrated as a joyous holiday. People get time off work and spend time enjoying the weather, which is usually warming up, and Memorial Day boat outings and barbecues are common ways to spend the weekend.

But for veterans and Gold Star families, Memorial Day isn’t about celebrating warm weather. It’s about remembering and honoring lost loved ones, including those who died while serving in the military.

“Memorial Day is a time to remember those who lost their lives while serving in the military,” says Brian Wagner, senior director of strategic communications with defense technology company Peraton. “Veterans Day is a time to honor all who have served in the military, past and present. Don’t feel like you need to also thank your veterans for their service on Memorial Day.”

And that’s why organizations looking to mark the occasion for their employees should be extra sensitive with how they choose to do so.

How to support employees

The first step in ensuring that any employees who have lost a military family member or friend feel seen and supported is to find out how much of your workforce is personally affected.