Dec. 2, 2025

HR for the Holidays: How to Navigate the Holiday Calendar & Company Parties

HR for the Holidays: How to Navigate the Holiday Calendar & Company Parties

Welcome to People Person! In this episode, host and Morning Brew’s SVP Head of People Operations Kate Noel, speaks with Talent, Culture, and DEI Consultant Dani Herrera about navigating the company holiday party and setting the corporate holiday calendar for the year ahead. The two HR Pros discuss the ideal day to have the company party, the best terms to use so that it feels inclusive for all, and how to set employee expectations for the celebration. Dani and Kate also discuss setting the corporate holiday calendar for the year ahead, including how to choose which days are observed, implementing culture days or flexible holidays, and how to impactfully celebrate groups if time off is not an option. 


00:00: Intro 

01:38: Experiences with company holiday parties

05:30: What do we call the company party to be inclusive 

09:10: How can HR pros be prepared for company parties 

12:00: Handling issues from the party

16:00: Building an inclusive holiday calendar 

18:25: How to make unlimited PTO effective 

22:15: Culture day and flexible holidays 

24:35: Explaining choices for the holiday calendar 

27:23: Other ways to celebrate holidays besides time off 


This episode is sponsored by Equifax. Go to http://www.equifax.com/hrbrew for more information.


For more from Dani, check out: www.deibydani.com and her LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielagherrera/


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People Person is a candid and conversational show where People Professionals can feel seen and heard, and learn from fellow experts in their field. Host and SVP, Head of People Operations at Morning Brew Inc, Kate Noel, brings years of expertise and a healthy sense of humor to discussions about the latest developments and insights that can help others enhance their workplace and their careers. 

Biweekly episodes will feature Kate speaking with entertaining and experienced professionals about everything from holidays to healthcare, and AI to onboarding, in compelling episodes available everywhere you get your favorite Morning Brew podcasts.