St. Patrick’s Day in the Workplace
Looking for a quick, actionable way to acknowledge St. Patrick’s Day at work? This post gives you a fast, DIY DEI tip you can apply right now.
St. Patrick’s Day, observed on March 17, honors the patron saint of Ireland and the long history of Irish culture, migration, and resilience. Over time, it’s also become a widely commercialized holiday—often reduced to green beer, leprechaun hats, and Irish stereotypes.
In the workplace, this day is a chance to move beyond novelty and reflect on the deeper story of Irish identity, immigration, and solidarity across cultures. Here’s why that matters.
Why This Holiday Matters
In the Workplace, We Can Use St. Patrick’s Day to Shift from Caricature to Connection. Even familiar holidays deserve deeper context. Here’s how this one connects to inclusion at work:
✅ It challenges cultural stereotypes and tokenized “fun” that can perpetuate harm or erasure.
✅ It honors the resilience of Irish immigrants, many of whom faced poverty, xenophobia, and exclusion in the U.S.
✅ It builds bridges by linking Irish American history with the struggles of other immigrant and working-class communities.
✅ It invites teams to reflect on how cultural holidays can be celebrated with dignity—not just decorations.
Observing St. Patrick’s Day with care sends a message: we don’t flatten culture—we respect it.
One Inclusive Celebration Idea
Try this inclusive activity to mark St. Patrick’s Day at work:
Host a “My Family’s Migration Story” Conversation or Wall
Here’s how:
Invite team members (voluntarily) to share something about their family’s migration story—whether from Ireland, another country, or within the U.S.
Offer prompts like: “What does resilience mean in your family’s story?”, “What assumptions have people made about your heritage?”
Display reflections on a digital board or create a shared space in your office. Use St. Patrick’s Day as the launch—but broaden the conversation beyond Ireland. This makes the day not just about clovers, but about connection across difference.
Ready to explore more workplace-ready tips? Keep reading.
Ready for More?
Would you like a more detailed celebration guide for this holiday? Join our Free Community Here
Inside, you’ll find DIY DEI guides, a full diversity calendar, and practical tools to help you build an inclusive workplace—without overwhelm.
Pause & Reflect
How can your workplace use cultural holidays to deepen connection—not just promote a party?
