A few years ago, while working with colleagues in India, I noticed they took time off at the end of October to celebrate a festival called Diwali. I’d heard of this holiday before, but I didn’t really understand its significance. Curious about what the holiday meant to them, I turned to my company’s learning management system, which had a course on Diwali. That short training gave me a deeper appreciation of its significance. When my colleagues returned, I was excited to ask them about the festivals they attended. They shared photos with me, and it was a meaningful moment of connection that strengthened our relationship. From then on, I made it a point to wish my colleagues a Happy Diwali every year.
This small moment of learning had a big impact on my workplace relationships. It reinforced the power of cultural awareness training—not just as an educational tool but as a way to build stronger, more inclusive teams.
Why Cultural Awareness Matters in the Workplace
Creating a workplace where every employee feels valued, respected, and engaged isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential for success. One way to foster belonging in the workplace is by recognizing cultural events and global holidays. When employees see their traditions acknowledged, they feel a deeper connection to their workplace.
“As a Native American employee, I am TRULY grateful for you sharing our TRUTH!! Thank you for this.”
– Learner comment from OpenDoors Thanksgiving course
For learning and development (L&D) managers, integrating cultural awareness into corporate training is more than a best practice—it’s a strategic advantage.
The Benefits of Cultural Awareness Training
- Boosts Employee Engagement: Employees who feel seen and valued are more likely to participate in learning and development programs. Recognizing cultural observances fosters emotional connection and increases motivation.
- Strengthens Workplace Culture: Workplace learning strategies for inclusion help organizations retain top talent. Employees are more likely to stay with companies that celebrate and respect diverse perspectives.
- Enhances Learning Outcomes: Cultural awareness training helps employees develop interpersonal skills, leading to more collaborative and innovative teams.
By embedding cultural events into L&D strategies, companies can create learning experiences that are not only informative but also meaningful.
Building Cultural Observances Into Your Learning Strategy
For L&D managers, one of the biggest challenges is making cultural learning a consistent part of workplace education rather than a one-time initiative. Here are some strategies that can help:
- Collaborative Learning: Cross-departmental training tied to cultural holidays can drive innovation and strengthen team connections. Encourage group discussions, peer-led sessions, and shared learning experiences.
- Customized Learning Programs: Use employee surveys to identify the cultural observances that matter most to your workforce. Tailoring training initiatives based on employee input increases relevance and impact.
- LMS Integration: Use your LMS to deliver cultural awareness training tied to global observances. For example, launching a course on Lunar New Year traditions can help teams engage meaningfully with colleagues worldwide.
“I thought Lunar New Year was only a Chinese holiday and learned differently from this video.”
– Learner comment from OpenDoors Lunar New Year course
Explore the OpenDoors Celebrations Series
The OpenDoors Celebrations Series makes it easy for L&D managers to integrate cultural awareness training into corporate learning programs. These engaging, bite-sized courses help employees understand diverse holidays and observances while fostering a more inclusive workplace.
What Makes These Courses Effective?
- Short, Engaging Content: Each course is 5 to 7 minutes long, making it easy for employees to fit learning into their schedules.
- Interactive Learning: A “What Do You Know?” activity encourages employees to explore their prior knowledge before diving into the course, making learning more engaging.
- Practical Participation Ideas: Each course provides simple, actionable ways for employees to recognize and participate in cultural observances.
- Downloadable Fact Sheets: A concise, easy-to-read resource with key insights into each observance. These fact sheets can be shared digitally or displayed in offices to foster awareness and discussion.
By incorporating the OpenDoors Celebrations Series into your LMS, you can seamlessly align training programs with key cultural moments throughout the year.
How to Get Started
A great way to plan learning initiatives is by using the 2025 Cultural Holidays and Observances Course Calendar, which highlights key cultural events throughout the year. Additionally, resources like Cultural Holidays and Observances by OpenDoors help organizations design inclusive learning experiences.
By embedding cultural awareness into workplace learning, you’re not just enhancing training programs—you’re building a more inclusive, engaged, and successful organization.