Embracing Cultural Diversity: HR Professionals' Guide to Celebrating Lunar New Year with Employees

Author : CPHR Alberta 

Known as the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year, the Lunar New Year is a significant religious and cultural celebration that is observed in multiple countries across Asia. 1 It symbolizes the arrival of spring and the commencement of a new year according to the lunisolar calendar, which is determined by the sun and moon's astronomical observations. The date of the New Year is determined by the proximity of the new moon to the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. 2

The Lunar New Year celebration lasts for fifteen days, with each day having its own unique set of traditions, festivities, and ceremonial rituals. (To learn more, visit here.) 

During this festive celebration, various customs and traditions can be observed. The opening of the passage highlights the enchanting sight of windows embellished with intricate red paper cuttings and doorways adorned with couplets expressing heartfelt wishes for the New Year. As the Lunar New Year's Eve commences, families come together for a reunion dinner, where the centrepiece is often a fish dish. This delectable offering symbolizes abundance and is believed to bring good luck and good fortune in the coming year. 3 Other distinctive features of the celebration include the presence of vibrant flowers, handwritten messages imbued with good fortune, and active participation in charitable endeavours. Additionally, the sharing of food, the colour red, spectacular fireworks displays, engaging arts and crafts, mesmerizing dances, and the iconic lion dance contribute to the festive atmosphere. 2   

How can you, as an employer, foster an environment of inclusivity and respect by integrating these sacred celebrations into the workplace and honouring your employees who partake in them? 

Supporting the Lunar New Year in the Workplace:

  • Vacation requests : be open and accommodating to vacation requests around the Lunar New Year. Offer employees who celebrate the appropriate time off to be with their loved ones during this festive event. 
  • Festive décor : decorate the office space appropriately with flowers and splashes of red, and bring in foods that have significance (mandarins and oranges are considered a sign of good luck and good fortune) 
  • Cultural awareness : organize sessions to educate employees on the significance and traditions of the Lunar New Year
  • Celebrate together : partner with your employees who celebrate and plan a staff event where other employees can learn about the significance of this time by participating in traditions (painting messages on red paper using a paintbrush) or eating foods associated with the Lunar New Year. 

In our capacity as HR professionals, we hold a pivotal role in shaping the culture of our workplaces. It is essential that we embrace and honour the unique festivals and traditions cherished by our employees, as this is crucial in fostering an environment of inclusivity and mutual respect. With the arrival of the Lunar New Year, let us seize this moment to embrace the abundance that our diverse workforce brings and cultivate spaces where each individual is treasured and honoured.

REFERENCES

 
1   National Geographic Society. “Lunar New Year.” Education, education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/lunar-new-year/. Accessed 23 Jan. 2024.
2   Bonikowsky, Laura  Neilson. “Lunar New Year in Canada.” The Canadian Encyclopedia, 22 Jan.
3 “Lunar New Year Celebration.” National Museum of Asian Art, 3 Jan. 2024, asia.si.edu/whats-on/events/celebrations/lunar-new-year-celebration/#:~:text=Lunar%20New%20Year%20is%20a,a%20significant%20overseas%20Chinese%20population.

 

The views and opinions expressed in this blog post belong solely to the original author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of CPHR Alberta.



Celebrating the Stars of HR: Introducing Our 2026 Member Recognition Recipients

By Jessica Jaithoo • March 11, 2026
Inspired by the spirit of the Northern Lights, the CPHR Alberta Member Recognition Program reflects a core belief: excellence is for everyone, everywhere. Just as the northern skies stretch across Alberta, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut, so too does the impact of HR professionals—our Stars of HR—who illuminate workplaces and communities through leadership, innovation, and collaboration.  We are proud to celebrate the recipients of our 2026 Member Recognition Program, a refreshed and re-imagined approach to recognition that replaces our former awards program. Inspired by the brilliance of the Aurora Borealis—a symbol of energy, beauty, and limitless potential—this program honours HR professionals as guiding lights within their organizations, illuminating pathways to success and shaping the future of work across our region. A New Era of Recognition With a renewed focus on excellence and inclusion, the Member Recognition Program recognizes a broad spectrum of contributions across the HR profession. From individual practitioners and collaborative teams to champions of the profession, volunteers, and newly designated CPHRs, this program celebrates the many ways HR professionals lead, inspire, and make a difference. We are thrilled to recognize the following groups at our first-ever Member Recognition Gala: Congratulations to our 2026 recipients and honourees. We’re proud to celebrate your achievements and contributions to HR! 2026 Individual HR Excellence Recipients 2026 Team HR Excellence Recipients 2026 HR Champion Recipients 2025 Newly Designated CPHRs 2025 FCPHRs 2025 Scholarship Winners 2025 CPHR Alberta Volunteers Spotlight: Individual HR Excellence Award The Individual HR Excellence Award honours HR professionals who demonstrate exceptional leadership, innovation, and commitment to the profession. Recipients are recognized for mentoring, collaboration, and inspiring others through their dedication, continuous learning, and advocacy for HR. 2026 Individual HR Excellence Recipients: Monika Ahuja Cristina Balamban Jennifer Kapala Arobo Ako Anna Tymoszejko All nominees who met the criteria, as evaluated by our Awards Selection Committee, will be honoured as 2026 HR Excellence Recipients and receive an individual spotlight at the Member Recognition Gala. Spotlight: Team HR Excellence Award The Team HR Excellence Award honours HR teams for exceptional collaboration, strategic leadership, and impactful execution. Recipients are recognized for advancing HR practices, delivering initiatives aligned with CPHR Alberta’s competency framework, and driving measurable positive outcomes through shared leadership, adaptability, and resilience. 2026 Team HR Excellence Recipients: Calgary Airports Servus People & Culture Team Edmonton West Primary Care Network (EWPCN) Alberta New Home Warranty Program Group of Companies Spotlight: HR Champion Award The HR Champion Award honors leaders in our business community who are not members, but who advocate for HR’s strategic value, demonstrate a people-first approach, and drive significant organizational impact. Award recipients are recognized for empowering colleagues, mentoring future professionals, and shaping workplace culture through outstanding leadership and innovation. In addition, these leaders actively encourage the pursuit of the CPHR designation, recognizing its importance in advancing HR professionalism and excellence across organizations. 2026 HR Champion Recipients: Bhanu Walia Kim Armstrong Join Us at the 2026 Member Recognition Gala Thursday, April 30, 2026 5:00 – 9:00 PM at the Westin Calgary Airport Included in your Gala Ticket: For $105 +GST, guests will enjoy a vibrant, modern, and prestigious night featuring a cocktail‑attire atmosphere, a three‑course plated meal, and a complimentary drink ticket. Get your ticket here.

Reminder to cast your vote for the next CPHR Alberta Board of Directors

March 5, 2026
Your current CPHR Alberta Board of Directors selected a slate of two (2) strong candidates to fill the current Board vacancies from a talented pool of applicants. The nomination process began in late 2025 with a call for applicants. The applications period ended on January 9, 2026. The responsibility of reviewing all applications sits with the Human Resources Committee of the Board. All applicants were reviewed in full, and based on the established selection criteria, a short-list was identified and interviewed. Following interviews a proposed slate was developed and presented to the Board, with the final slate generated for your consideration. The 2026 slate of Directors are Adediwura (Wura) Odiase and Terri Davis. These applicants reflect the skills, experience, and qualifications to supplement the existing Board of Directors and to guide the association into the future and to serve you, the members. 2026 Slate: Adediwura (Wura) Odiase - Click here to watch Wura's introduction video. Terri Davis - Click here to watch Terri's introduction video. Read more about our 2026 slate of directors here. How to Vote Only Chartered and Retired members can vote. Open the email you receive from CPHR Alberta via Simply Voting , read the bios, and vote yes or no to the slate. The voting website is available from March 2, at 1 PM MST until March 13, at 12 PM MST. The Simply Voting email contains your elector ID and password, which is needed for you to cast your ballot. If you do not see an email from CPHR Alberta via Simply Voting ( vote@simplyvoting.com ), please check your junk mail and spam filters. If you experience any technical difficulties in accessing the voting website, please email Heather McMaster at for assistance. On behalf of the CPHR Alberta Board of Directors, thank you in advance for your participation in the 2026 CPHR Alberta Board of Directors Election. We look forward to seeing you online for our Annual General Meeting on May 7. Registration will open in April, watch your email for more details.

Celebrating Progress, Inspiring Action This International Women’s Day

By Jessica Jaithoo • March 4, 2026
Author: Taia Northrup, 2026 Social Media Committee Member International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate the achievements of women, recognize the barriers that still exist, and renew our commitment to advancing equity in the workplace and beyond. Across industries, women continue to shape organizations, strengthen communities, and lead innovation. In the HR profession especially, women play a vital role in designing inclusive workplaces, fostering culture, and driving meaningful change. Today, we celebrate those contributions — and acknowledge the responsibility we share in continuing to build equitable environments where everyone can thrive.  Creating Workplaces Where Women Thrive Celebrating women’s achievements also means creating environments where future leaders can grow. Equity is not about identical treatment; it is about ensuring access to opportunity. It is about removing systemic barriers and fostering workplaces where individuals are supported in reaching their full potential. Organizations can take meaningful steps by: Actively monitoring representation across levels of leadership Conducting regular pay equity reviews Encouraging inclusive leadership training Amplifying diverse voices in decision-making spaces Recognizing and valuing different leadership styles Moving Forward Together At CPHR AB, we recognize the important role HR professionals play in advancing equity across Alberta’s workplaces. By embedding fairness into our policies, embracing inclusive leadership, and thoughtfully integrating technology with people-first values, we can continue to shape a future of work that is both innovative and inclusive. Progress happens when intention meets action. This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the resilience, leadership, and achievements of women across our profession and our communities. We also reaffirm our commitment to building workplaces where every individual — regardless of gender — has the opportunity to contribute, lead, and succeed.
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