As summer turns to fall, September provides a unique opportunity to deepen engagement and employee experience (EX) through your company newsletter. It’s the beginning of a new season that marks a natural transition point, both in the calendar year and in the rhythm of work life. This makes it the perfect time to promote a sense of connection and community, offering fresh starts and the chance to channel renewed focus into the workplace.
Never forget that a well-crafted newsletter is more than just a communication tool. It’s a vital connection point that can inspire, motivate, and unite your workforce. The secret is to concentrate on creating content that not only informs but also engages your employees, helping them to stay connected and focused. By providing valuable content, recognizing achievements, and highlighting upcoming events, you can strengthen employee morale and produce a positive workplace culture.
We’ve curated a collection of engaging newsletter ideas for September to help you kickstart the fall season and foster a deeper connection with your employees. These include observances and holidays that are specific to September. Using them as part of a monthly newsletter theme is a good idea because it helps create content that is timely, culturally relevant, and engaging, all of which contribute to stronger employee connections and a more cohesive organizational culture.
How do Newsletters Increase Employee Engagement
Newsletters can be incredibly effective for boosting engagement. For example:
- Regular newsletters can keep employees informed and connected to the company’s mission, goals, and values.
- They help maintain consistent communication, especially in hybrid or remote work environments, by providing employees with relevant information and fostering a sense of inclusion.
- Newsletters that feature employee stories, company achievements, and upcoming events contribute to higher engagement levels by making employees feel valued and informed.
- They can be particularly effective in addressing information overload by curating relevant content, helping employees feel more connected and less overwhelmed.
Gallagher’s State of the Sector 2023/24 survey on internal communications and employee experience identifies “E-newsletters” as one of the most effective (87%) and commonly used (71%) communication channels. Let that inspire you.
A Gallup article In New Workplace, U.S. Employee Engagement Stagnates written by Gallup’s Chief Scientist, Jim Harter, identifies employee expectations that have not been met. These include several that can be accomplished very easily in newsletters and News Digests.
- Lack of meaningful feedback
- Managers not keeping employees informed
- Employees not being motivated to perform well
- Not feeling like they’re a part of the team
- Not knowing what coworkers are expected to do
By increasing employee engagement through thoughtfully produced newsletters, organizational performance will improve along with profitability.
September Employee Newsletter Ideas to Get Started
Celebrated on Monday, September 2 in 2024, Labor Day is the only U.S. public holiday this month. However, there are lots of opportunities to celebrate or honor just about anything from wildlife to cooking, coconuts, and coffee ice cream. There are also important observances including Patriot Day (9/11), the International Day of Peace (September 21), and the Muslim Mawlid (September 15-16) that celebrates the birthday of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, that you can consider.
All these days offer great ways to connect with your employees on a deeper level, whether by honoring their contributions, celebrating cultural diversity, or promoting well-being.
Last month, we offered you 10 August newsletter ideas. Now, here are 10 ideas to consider for your September employee newsletter.
1. Labor Day (September 2)
Labor Day is a federal holiday in the United States that celebrates the social and economic achievements of American workers. We can trace its roots to the late 19th century when labor activists called for a federal holiday that would recognize workers and their contributions to prosperity and the strength of the U.S. Individual states passed laws recognizing Labor Day. And in 1894, Congress passed an act declaring the first Monday of September a legal holiday.
It’s an excellent opportunity to recognize the hard work and dedication of your employees. In your newsletter, you could:
- Share stories of employees who have gone above and beyond the call of duty. Try to include people from all levels within the company.
- Highlight the history of Labor Day and its significance.
- Encourage employees to take time to relax and recharge, perhaps sharing tips for unwinding over the long weekend.
- Feature a special thank you message to all workers from company leadership.
2. National Wildlife Day (September 4)
Founded in 2005 by philanthropist and animal behaviorist Colleen Paige, National Wildlife Day is celebrated on September 4 each year. Her mission is to increase awareness of endangered animals nationally and globally. It encourages those who love wildlife to stand up and fight for animals that need a voice and do all they can to help preserve this planet’s animals.
Nicknamed the “animal oracle,” Colleen is also the founder of National Dog Day, Cat Day, Pet Day, and other special animal-related days.
There are all sorts of ways to celebrate and promote this day. For instance, employee newsletter ideas can include:
- Highlight an employee who is passionate about wildlife or has volunteered with a conservation organization. It doesn’t matter whether they are a newly employed person or a long-time executive.
- Host a fun, educational event at a local animal sanctuary.
- Feature information about wild animals in your area.
- Ask employees to submit photographs or drawings of certain animals and offer prizes for the best or most original.
- Promote a fundraiser for a wildlife organization.
3. International Literacy Day (September 8)
International Literacy Day promotes the importance of literacy as a fundamental human right. You can include this day to emphasize the value of continuous learning and professional development within your organization. Try to appeal to everyone within the organization, irrespective of rank.
- Recommend books, articles, or podcasts related to your industry or personal development.
- Feature employee book clubs or literacy programs.
- Share inspiring stories about employees who have overcome literacy challenges.
- Encourage participation in local or virtual literacy volunteer opportunities.
- Organize a workshop or training session on topics related to literacy, such as effective reading strategies, writing techniques, or public speaking skills. This can be conducted internally by knowledgeable employees or by bringing in an external expert.
4. Patriot Day (September 11)
Patriot Day is an annual U.S. observance that honors the nearly 3,000 victims of the 2001 September 11 (9/11) attacks. It serves as a somber reminder of the tragedy and is also a day of unity, reflection, and resilience for the American people. For this reason, it is also recognized as a national day of service and remembrance, encouraging acts of charity and community service.
The American flag is flown at half-staff at the White House, all U.S. government buildings, and many private homes and businesses as a sign of respect and mourning. Moments of silence are observed to mark the exact times when the planes struck the World Trade Center towers, the Pentagon, and the field in Pennsylvania. There are also memorial services and media tributes.
- Share a message of remembrance in your September newsletter to honor those affected by the events of 9/11.
- Highlight opportunities for employees to participate in community service, whether through company-organized events or on their own.
- Share stories of resilience and heroism, both from 9/11 and within your company.
- Encourage a moment of silence or a reflective activity that groups can participate in.
5. National Working Parents Day (September 16)
This day celebrates the dedication of working parents who balance their careers and family responsibilities. It’s a great time to acknowledge the unique challenges they face. Chances are there are many working parents in your organization — you may be one of them.
- Feature stories or interviews with working parents in your company.
- Share tips on work-life balance, especially for those juggling parental duties.
- Highlight any family-friendly company policies or benefits.
- Consider organizing a virtual family day or sharing resources for parents, such as online educational tools or local family events.
Remember this: The American Psychological Association’s 2023 Work in America Survey found that 95% of employees reported work-life balance as a top factor in job satisfaction.
6. Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15)
National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the history, culture, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. This is an ideal time to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within your company.
A McKinsey & Company report, Diversity matters even more: The case for holistic impact, was published in December 2023. Drawing on a large database spanning 1,265 companies in 23 countries and six global regions, it is the fourth in a series about diversity published over the past decade. It shows that companies with high ethnic diversity scores are 39% more likely to outperform their competitors. This shows an increase of 4% since 2015, 6% since 2018, and 3% since 2020.
Highlighting Hispanic Heritage Month and other cultural observances in your September newsletters can strengthen your company’s DEI efforts.
- Feature profiles of Hispanic and Latino employees, sharing their stories and cultural experiences.
- Highlight the contributions of Hispanic and Latino figures in your industry or community.
- Share resources for learning more about Hispanic culture, such as documentaries, books, or local events.
- Consider hosting a virtual cultural event or discussion panel.
7. IT Pro Day (September 17)
IT Pro Day has been celebrated on the third Tuesday of September every year since 2015. Established by SolarWinds, a software company, it aims to honor the essential work of IT professionals who keep networks and software applications running smoothly.
hat you can do:
- Highlight the work of your IT team (or teams) and the critical projects they’ve completed.
- Share tech tips or cybersecurity best practices for employees.
- Consider a Q&A section where IT professionals can answer common tech questions from employees.
- Offer a thank you video or message from employees or a company team to the IT department.
8. First Day of Fall (September 22)
The first day of fall in 2024 is officially on Sunday, September 22, the autumnal equinox. It marks a change in seasons and can be a fun theme to incorporate into your newsletter. You can:
- Share seasonal wellness tips, like how to boost immunity as the weather changes.
- Highlight local fall events like pumpkin patches or harvest festivals.
- Feature a fall-themed recipe contest or a virtual fall decoration showcase.
- Encourage employees to share their favorite fall traditions or activities — and ask them to take pictures you can use in the newsletter.
9. National Cooking Day (September 25)
It might sound like a thumbsuck, but National Cooking Day has been around since the 1950s. It celebrates the culinary arts and their significance in our lives. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a kitchen novice, this day is about enjoying the process of cooking and sharing delicious creations with loved ones.
There are lots of ways you can incorporate this yummy day into your September newsletter.
- Ask employees to share their favorite cooking techniques or recipes and award prizes for the best ones.
- Highlight the history of dishes that are typically American.
- Feature an employee who is especially passionate about cooking or has a unique culinary talent.
- Organize a potluck where employees can share their culinary creations and tell everyone about them in the newsletter.
10. National Good Neighbor Day (September 28)
In 2023, The Surgeon General of the U.S. declared loneliness a public health crisis. This led to The Hopeful Neighborhood Project and National Good Neighbor Day. Their mission is to reverse the epidemic of loneliness in the U.S. “It starts with a simple act of neighboring on September 28.”
One of the first things they advocate is to get to know your neighbors. You live next door to them, but have you even met them? The same is true of the people you work with. For instance, they ask whether we are all good neighbors. We want you to ask whether you are a good colleague.
Here’s what you can do in your newsletter:
- Announce and/or report on a casual virtual or in-person gathering where employees can introduce themselves, share a bit about their background, and learn more about their colleagues. This can help break down barriers and foster a sense of community within the workplace.
- Challenge employees to perform and document small acts of kindness for their coworkers leading up to National Good Neighbor Day. Create a “Kindness Wall” in the office or a digital forum where these acts can be shared and celebrated.
- Create a spotlight feature in the newsletter where employees can nominate colleagues who exemplify the spirit of being a good neighbor. Highlight these individuals and their positive contributions to the workplace.
- Invite employees to submit short stories or anecdotes about their experiences with good neighbors, whether at work or in their personal lives. Publish a selection of these stories in the September newsletter to inspire and encourage others to build stronger connections.
How to Send Your Internal Email Newsletter with Broadcast’s Help
September is full of opportunities to connect with employees through your internal communications. Ideally, these will include at least one employee newsletter. By aligning your content with relevant holidays and observances, you can foster a sense of community, promote engagement, and celebrate the diversity of your workforce. Whether through recognition, education, or simply sharing in the spirit of the season, these ideas can help make your September newsletter both meaningful and memorable.
But once you’ve got your newsletter finalized, how are you going to distribute it?
The Cerkl Broadcast employee email platform is your answer. Email Blasts will save you time, and the platform works perfectly on all devices. It also enables you to target specific audiences. So, if you only want your September newsletter to go to a certain department or employees of a certain seniority level, you can set your preferences to this. They will, though, all receive the same newsletter.
Another more targeted option is to save articles or highlights from your newsletter as individual posts. Then you will have a bank of News Digests that you can personalize to meet the needs of individual employees.
What’s Next?
Armed with some great employee newsletter ideas for September, you can get started compiling and creating content. But then what? Don’t panic. Our online publication, Employee Newsletters: A Comprehensive Guide for Internal Communicators, will introduce you to employee newsletter creation. We cover format options, design challenges, employee newsletter best practices, and delivery options. And it’s absolutely free.
FAQ
In a September newsletter, consider writing about seasonal themes like the transition to fall and any relevant holidays or observances such as Labor Day or Patriot Day. You can also highlight upcoming company events, share employee achievements, or introduce new initiatives for the final quarter (summer).
Choose a newsletter topic by aligning it with current events, company goals, or employee interests, and consider what information or insights will be most valuable and engaging for your audience in September.
Make your newsletter more fun by incorporating interactive elements like quizzes, polls, or contests, adding engaging visuals or GIFs, and using a conversational tone that reflects your company culture. Including light-hearted content such as fun facts, employee spotlights, or seasonal tips can also boost enjoyment.
