November brings a series of observances that invite us to reflect, honor, and connect. From celebrating Native American Heritage Month to recognizing men’s health and transgender visibility, this month reminds us that inclusion is built not just through awareness days but through sustained empathy and action.

For ERG leaders and organizational teams, November offers rich opportunities to engage employees, deepen cultural learning, and strengthen community across the workplace. Each observance is a chance to spotlight underrepresented voices, foster understanding, and model allyship.

Planning your ERG programming for November? Verbate gives ERG Leaders & Program Managers resources, community and recognition for their ERG work. Learn more here.

November at a Glance

Key November Heritage & Awareness Observances

Native American Heritage Month (All of November)

Native American Heritage Month honors the deep and enduring presence of Indigenous peoples across North America. It’s both a celebration and a reminder—a time to recognize Native cultures, contributions, and advocacy for sovereignty, while also reflecting on histories that continue to shape our shared future.

Workplaces can use this moment to spotlight Indigenous voices and strengthen allyship through education and authentic engagement.

Ways to honor this month:

• Partner with Native-owned organizations or nonprofits.
• Feature Indigenous speakers or storytellers in ERG events.
• Highlight Native artists and creators in internal communications.
• Celebrate respectfully by centering Indigenous / Native perspectives and avoiding stereotypes.
• Encourage employees to learn about the Indigenous lands they live and work on.

Movember & Men’s Health Awareness Month (All of November)

What started as a small campaign in Australia has grown into a global movement: Movember. This initiative encourages men to grow moustaches during November to raise awareness of men’s health issues, including prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and suicide prevention.

Beyond the moustaches, Movember is a call to prioritize conversations about physical and mental wellbeing—especially in workplaces where vulnerability is often stigmatized.

Ways to honor this month:

• Normalize open discussions around mental health and wellbeing.
• Host wellness challenges or virtual fitness events.
• Invite guest speakers to share insights on preventive health and mental resilience.
• Promote ERGs that support men’s wellness and caregiving.
• Share resources for accessible healthcare and work-life balance.

Military Family Month (All of November)

Military Family Month recognizes the strength, resilience, and sacrifice of families with loved ones serving in the armed forces. Their ongoing support is a vital part of military readiness and community.

Ways to honor this month:

• Highlight stories from military families within your organization.
• Offer flexible scheduling or appreciation initiatives for employees with family members in service.
• Partner with military family support organizations.
• Educate employees on ways to advocate for and support military families.

National Family Caregivers Month (All of November)

National Family Caregivers Month honors those who provide unpaid care and support to loved ones with chronic illnesses, disabilities, or aging needs. It’s a reminder of the critical, often invisible labor of caregivers.

Ways to honor this month:

• Host discussions about caregiver experiences and challenges.
• Share mental health and self-care resources for caregivers.
• Encourage leaders to offer flexibility and understanding to caregivers in the workplace.
• Create internal support networks for caregiving employees.

Día de los Muertos (November 1–2)

Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a vibrant celebration originating in Mexico that honors ancestors and celebrates the lives of those who have passed away. It’s a joyful remembrance marked by altars (ofrendas), marigolds, music, and shared stories.

Ways to honor this observance:

• Share cultural education about Día de los Muertos and its meaning.
• Invite employees to create virtual or in-office ofrendas to honor loved ones.
• Highlight Latinx/Latine ERGs and community members sharing their traditions.
• Encourage respectful participation and learning.

Veterans Day (U.S.) (November 11)

Veterans Day recognizes those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. It’s a day of reflection, gratitude, and recognition of the diverse experiences of military veterans—both during and after service.

Ways to honor this day:

• Share stories from veteran employees (with consent and care).
• Send appreciation messages company-wide.
• Volunteer with local veteran support groups.
• Acknowledge that each service experience is unique; avoid assumptions or politicized framing.

World Kindness Day (November 13)

World Kindness Day is a global celebration of compassion, empathy, and human connection. It reminds us that kindness—whether through words, actions, or policies—is a foundational element of inclusive culture.

Ways to honor this day:

• Launch a workplace kindness challenge.
• Create a gratitude wall for employee recognition.
• Encourage leaders to share moments of kindness that shaped their careers.
• Spotlight ERG collaborations that model empathy and inclusion.

Transgender Awareness Week (Nov 13–19) & Transgender Day of Remembrance (Nov 20)

Transgender Awareness Week shines a light on trans and nonbinary experiences, encouraging visibility, understanding, and allyship. The week culminates in Transgender Day of Remembrance, honoring the lives lost to anti-trans violence and reaffirming a commitment to safety and inclusion for all.

Workplaces have an important role to play—creating spaces where trans employees feel seen, respected, and supported.

Ways to honor this week:

• Host educational sessions on gender identity and inclusive language.
• Review policies and benefits to ensure they are trans-inclusive.
• Uplift trans voices through storytelling or panel discussions.
• Reinforce the importance of active listening and allyship across teams.

World Diabetes Day (November 14)

World Diabetes Day, recognized by the World Health Organization, raises awareness of diabetes as a global health issue affecting millions worldwide. The blue circle, symbolizing unity, has become the emblem of this movement.

Ways to honor this day:

• Share health education resources and prevention tips.
• Host a health talk with a medical professional or community speaker.
• Encourage a "wear blue" day to show solidarity.
• Spotlight employee stories or ERG health initiatives.

National ERG Day (November 17)

National ERG Day celebrates Employee Resource Group leaders, members, and allies who drive inclusion and community within workplaces. It’s a day to recognize the impact of ERGs on culture, engagement, and belonging.

Ways to honor this day:

• Spotlight ERG leaders and their accomplishments across your organization.
• Host an appreciation event or panel discussion.
• Share insights on the measurable impact of ERGs.
• Use this moment to plan for next year’s ERG goals and priorities.

International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day (November 22)

This day offers compassion and connection for those who have lost someone to suicide. It’s a time to honor the lives of those lost, support survivors in healing, and advance mental health awareness.

Ways to honor this day:

• Host a mental health awareness session or invite a grief counselor for an open conversation.
• Share mental health resources and crisis helplines with your teams.
• Encourage ERGs to partner with mental health advocacy groups.
• Create safe spaces for employees to share experiences or reflect in solidarity.

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (November 25)

This UN-recognized day calls for global solidarity to end gender-based violence and advance safety and equality for women and girls. It’s an opportunity for workplaces to reaffirm commitments to gender equity and psychological safety.

Ways to honor this day:

• Partner with advocacy organizations supporting survivors.
• Host allyship or bystander intervention workshops.
• Share internal messages that reinforce zero tolerance for harassment or discrimination.
• Create moments of reflection and awareness across teams.

Thanksgiving (U.S.) (November 27)

Thanksgiving is traditionally a day to express gratitude and reflect on community and connection. In recent years, many have also embraced this time to learn about its complex history and to celebrate thankfulness through an inclusive, reflective lens.

Ways to honor this day:

• Host gratitude activities or recognition campaigns.
• Encourage employees to share what community means to them.
• Include education around Indigenous perspectives and the broader history of the holiday.
• Support community service or donation drives.

Native American Heritage Day (November 28)

Falling the day after Thanksgiving, Native American Heritage Day celebrates the rich cultures, traditions, and contributions of Indigenous peoples in the U.S. It’s an opportunity to learn, reflect, and honor the communities whose lands we live and work on.

Ways to honor this day:

• Share educational resources about Native history and sovereignty.
• Promote Native-owned businesses and creators.
• Feature storytelling or speaker sessions from Indigenous leaders.
• Encourage employees to learn about the history of the land they occupy.

Native Women’s Equal Pay Day (November 30)

Native Women’s Equal Pay Day highlights the persistent wage gap faced by Native American women, who on average earn significantly less than white, non-Hispanic men for comparable work. It’s a reminder of the intersectional inequities that affect pay, representation, and advancement.

Ways to honor this day:

• Share data and insights on pay equity and its impacts.
• Revisit company pay transparency and advancement policies.
• Spotlight Native women leaders and professionals.
• Facilitate a conversation or ERG event on intersectionality and workplace equity.

Looking for more ways to plan inclusive observances?

• Verbate Guide: How to Create, Plan, and Track Successful ERG Events
• 3 Things to Consider When Planning a Heritage Month Event

Looking Ahead - Building an Inclusive Year-Round Calendar

November’s observances remind us that inclusion isn’t confined to a single day or month—it’s an ongoing practice. By reflecting on these awareness moments, teams can build stronger habits of recognition, empathy, and allyship that carry throughout the year.

Start planning beyond November. Map out your ERG and DEI calendar early, ensuring that celebration and education are woven into your organization’s DNA all year long.

Next step: Explore Verbate’s Heritage Month Calendar for a full year of observances, and use Verbate to streamline event planning, boost engagement, and track impact—all in one place.

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