The SwagUp Workplace Guide to May 2023

In most parts of the country, May means warmer weather and hosting celebrations outdoors, including barbecues and picnics. Memorial Day (May 29 this year) marks the unofficial start of summer, and many school-aged children officially kick off their summer vacations this month. Below, we’ve rounded up three of our best summer swag packs, plus a ton of ideas on how to host activities that build employee engagement this month. 

Important Dates & Awarenesses For May 

We’ve curated the DEI and awareness dates relevant to the workplace and your workforce for the month of May. The month of May has been deemed Mental Health Awareness Month, National Asian American and South Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and Global Employee Health and Fitness Month. We’ve also got our eye on Cinco de Mayo and National Bike to Work Day. Keep reading for our list of important dates, and remember to pick and choose the dates that best align with your corporate culture.

May DEI Dates & Awarenesses

• May 1: May Day
• May 5: Cinco de Mayo
• May 9: Laylat al-Qadr
• May 14: Mother’s Day
• May 17: International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia
• May 19: National Bike to Work Day
• May 21: World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
• May 29: Memorial Day

Awareness For the Month of May

• ALS Awareness Month
• Mental Health Month
• Haitian Heritage Month
• Indian Heritage Month
• Older Americans Month
• Global Employee Health and Fitness Month
• National Asian American and South Pacific Islander Heritage Month
• South Asian American Heritage Month
• Jewish-American Heritage Month

💡Download Our Employee Engagement & Swag Calendar Here

Employee Engagement Activities & Swag For May

Let’s dive into some team engagement activities and swag ideas for May, including in-person, remote, and no-cost options. The goal: to celebrate your team’s diverse backgrounds and re-commit to their mental and physical health.

Mental Health Awareness Activities and Swag

Mental Health Awareness Pack

SwagUp’s special Mental Health Awareness Swag Pack encourages employees to prioritize self-care. Here’s what’s inside:

• Think Coffee Devoe Blend: NYC Signature Blend
• Fellow Clara French Press
• Self-Care Journal
•  5" x 7" Insert Cards by Moo 

In-Office Employee Engagement Ideas:

• Host a stress reduction seminar or a guided meditation activity. 
• Bring in professional massage therapists and offer complimentary 10-minute massages. 
• Create a meditation room for employees to use in the month of May.

Remote Workforce Employee Engagement Ideas:

• Host a virtual event for remote workers where everyone share what they are grateful for.
• Offer a free or discounted subscription to a mental health or meditation app, like Calm. 
• Send remote employees a gift card to SpaFinder and allow them to book the spa treatment of their choice locally. 

No Cost Option Employee Engagement Idea: 

• Allow all workers to take a day off to focus on mental health. 
• May is a good time to get a pulse check, make sure people are using their PTO, and ask questions that can gauge burnout, like whether the company is holding too many meetings. 

Summer Outdoor Activities and Swag

BBQ Pack

Encourage your team to get outside and grill, whether it’s to host a team-building event with co-workers or just preparing a meal for their friends and family. Here’s what comes in our preset BBQ Swag Pack: 

• 11-piece BBQ Set
• The Spice Lab No. 7602 Rosemary Garlic Blend
• Nike Dri-FIT Swoosh Visor
• Sublimated Kitchen Apron
• Picnic Blanket

Bounce Into Summer Swag Pack

Encourage your employees to plan their summer vacations with this variety of summer fun swag, including:

• Full Color Velour Beach Towel
• Gio Carry Bottle
• Summer Is Here Bucket Hat
• 16" Beach Ball
• Soft Touch Matte Sunglasses
• Outdoor 5-Piece Wellness Set

In-Office Employee Engagement Ideas

• Organize a team building barbecue or picnic at local park or on your company’s campus. Make sure to have options for all dietary restrictions. 
• Encourage employees to get outside and have fun with an intramural sports event. Games could include Ultimate Frisbee, kickball, and cornhole — all of which are fun for people of different skill levels. 
• Hire a chef to lead a summer cooking workshop, where employees learn a few easy summer recipes, such as salads, desserts, cocktails, and mocktails. 
• Host a flower-arranging workshop ahead of Mother’s Day, where employees create bouquets for the moms in their lives (or for their own desks). 

Remote Workforce Employee Engagement Ideas:

• Encourage employees to order lunch and eat outside, with an Uber Eats gift card. 
• In honor of National Bike to Work Day (May 19), offer employees a free indoor cycling class or other exercise class or their choice. 
• Match employee donations to a nonprofit focused on one of May’s awareness themes, including ALS charities, AAPI-focused charities, the LGBTQ+ community, and Jewish-centric nonprofits. 

No Cost Option Employee Engagement Idea: 

• Host a “gratitude” activity where employees choose one co-worker (in any department) to write a thoughtful thank you card or email. 

Looking for more activities? Check out our April Employee Engagement Ideas and subscribe to the SwagUp newsletter to get updates delivered to your inbox.