International HR Day: 5 reasons to thank your HR team today in summary:
Here’s why you should give thanks to your HR team not just on International HR Day… but all year round!
- HR keeps everything running smoothly: From recruitment to handling random facilities requests, HR is the backbone of the company. They juggle compliance, culture, and a million other things to keep the business ticking
- They’re the unsung heroes of wellbeing: HR teams are always there, quietly monitoring employee morale and setting up support systems. They handle everything from mental health crises to wellness challenges, all while managing their own emotional burdens
- Strategic partners, not just fire-fighters: Modern HR isn’t just about admin. They’re strategic thinkers who help plan for the future, from workforce planning to digital transformations. They bring valuable insights to the table and help build a resilient workforce.
If you’re a business leader reading this post, we’ve got something to tell you: HR doesn’t get the credit it deserves.
Behind every smooth recruitment process, wellbeing initiative, or policy update is a team of professionals juggling compliance, culture, spreadsheets (if the business still hasn’t joined the 21st century…), and no small number of random requests that don’t seem to be HR’s remit, yet still seem to come their way (What do you mean the vending machine is broken?).
And let’s not forget the emotional pressures.
HR is a people-orientated profession, and it’s the department that fields everything from “Can I expense my lunchtime sushi bowl?” to “I need to raise a grievance about my manager.” They’re part therapist, part referee, part event planner, and somehow still expected to run payroll on time. Honestly, if HR walked out for a week, half of all businesses wouldn’t know how to find the office Wi-Fi password… let alone deal with a disciplinary.
So, in honour of International HR Day (20th May), we’re flipping the script. Because without our HR heroes, let’s face it… things would fall apart pretty quickly. It’s time to give HR got the recognition they’ve earned… and not just because it’s polite, either: but because it makes solid business sense.
So, here are five big reasons to thank your HR team today (and ideally, more than just once a year on International HR Day!).
1. They attract and keep the talent that keeps you in business
Without the right people in the right roles, even the best strategies fall flat. Your HR team is responsible for building those pipelines of talent – crafting job descriptions, managing applications, screening candidates, and persuading brilliant people that your company is the place to be.
But it doesn’t stop there. They’re also working hard to retain those people, keeping them engaged, supported, and growing with the business. Don’t think that’s a big deal? Well, according to Gallup, organisations with high employee engagement see 21% higher profitability than those with low engagement. And who helps drive that engagement? You guessed it: HR.
So, give your HR team thanks for:
- Making your company look good to top talent
- Nudging hiring managers for interview feedback… again
- Helping reduce your company’s turnover (and recruitment costs)
2. They’re the champions of diversity, equity and inclusion
DEI isn’t just a nice-to-have or just something to shout about in your marketing materials – it’s a business imperative.
Diverse teams are proven to perform better, innovate more, and understand broader customer bases. But building inclusive workplaces doesn’t happen by accident. It takes strategy, consistency, and a whole lot of behind-the-scenes work.
From reviewing job ads for bias and running unconscious bias training, to ensuring policies are inclusive and accessible, your HR team is laying the groundwork for a fairer, more progressive workplace for everyone.Not convinced? Well, McKinsey’s 2023 report found that companies in the top quartile for ethnic diversity in executive teams were 39% more likely to outperform those in the bottom quartile. Here’s why you should be thanking your HR team:
- They’re making inclusion a daily habit, not a once-a-year workshop
- They’re creating safe spaces where everyone can thrive
- They’re being brave enough to challenge the status quo
3. They take care of wellbeing – even when no one’s watching
HR teams are often the first to notice when something’s off. They’re quietly monitoring employee morale, burnout risks, and team dynamics. They’re setting up mental health support, flexible working policies, and even wellness challenges (yes, even the step-count competitions).
And when things get tough: be it redundancies, bereavements, or mental health crises. They’re right there, balancing empathy with action. But, let’s not forget: HR folks are employees too. They often shoulder the emotional burden of others while quietly putting their own feelings on hold – so give thanks to your HR team for:
- Being the first port of call in a crisis
- Checking in when someone’s unusually quiet
- Helping keep burnout off the business agenda
4. They’re the guardians of compliance (so you don’t have to be)
Be honest now. No one wants to spend their day wading through employment law, updating policies, or panicking over data protection, do they? Thankfully, your HR team lives in this world, so you don’t have to.
From right-to-work checks and GDPR compliance, to disciplinary processes and pay transparency, they’re constantly making sure your company stays on the right side of legislation, and out of hot water. And in a world where employment law is changing faster than you can say “statutory entitlement,” that’s no small task! Thank your HR team today for:
- Knowing what TUPE actually stands for
- Keeping contracts, policies and handbooks watertight
- Helping you avoid awkward tribunals (and even more awkward headlines)
5. They’re strategic partners (not just fire-fighters)
Gone are the days of HR being purely administrative. Today’s HR leaders are strategic thinkers, and helping you plan for the future: whether that’s workforce planning, succession management, or navigating digital transformations.
They know the business inside-out, and they’re often the first to spot early warning signs in culture, morale, or productivity. Ignore them at your peril. In fact, according to a 2024 CIPD survey, 84% of HR professionals say their role is more focused on organisational strategy than it was five years ago. In short, you should thank your HR team for:
- Bringing data to the table, not just policies
- Turning people insights into business outcomes
- Being your secret weapon in building a resilient, future-ready workforce
How should you show your appreciation?
A thank-you email on International HR Day is nice. A shout-out in a team meeting? Great. But if you really want to recognise your HR team, think bigger:
- Involve them early in strategic planning conversations
- Invest in their tools and decent HR systems (they deserve better than spreadsheets and sticky notes)
- Support their wellbeing, because yes: HR needs it, too!
- Celebrate wins just like you would with sales or product teams
And above all, remember that HR isn’t just about processes, it’s about people. And your HR team? They’re some of the best people you’ve got.
Paul Bauer
Paul Bauer is the Head of Content at Cezanne. Based in the Utopia of Milton Keynes (his words, not ours!) he’s worked within the employee benefits, engagement and HR sectors for over six years. He’s also earned multiple industry awards for his work – including a coveted Roses Creative Award.
