Q3 may seem so far in the future — but time flies, and you’ll be surprised when you wake up and all of a sudden it’s July. Don’t let all the important Q3 dates sneak up on you. Start preparing today with all the important dates you need to know.
In Q3, departments across your company will be working hard to put the pieces in place to reach their end of year goals. In HR, Q3 is the perfect time to focus on employee engagement and your own career development before facing down the year end/year start tasks that come in Q4.
Here are the key dates to keep in mind for the upcoming quarter:
July
July 4: Independence Day (Bank Holiday)
This year the Fourth of July falls on a Saturday. This means that many employees may take weekend trips on the days leading up to—and directly following—the holiday. With potential long weekends on the calendar, make sure employees have planned adequate coverage during their absence, and consider bringing in celebratory snacks to honor the holiday and start the the quarter on a high note.
July 31: Form 941 due (Employer’s Quarterly Federal Tax Return)
As an employer, you don’t have the luxury of thinking about taxes only once a year. Don’t forget that your quarterly tax return is due at the end of July. Need some help? Check out our complete guide to Federal and State taxes for a detailed breakdown of tax rates.
August
August 4: National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day
August is the final month of the summer, and employees may need a little pick-me-up. National chocolate chip cookie day falls on a Friday this year, so consider bringing in cookies to keep spirits high as the summer reaches its peak.
Namely tip: In the dog days of summer, take some time to focus on your own career. Is it time to negotiate a raise or title change? Do you want to study for a new HR certification? Assess your career goals and identify a few ways to get there.
September
September 7: Labor Day (Bank Holiday)
The final bank holiday of the summer is already here. Employees may want to extend that three day weekend to soak up every last bit of sun before fall settles in. Encourage everyone to get the rest they need before kicking off an exciting Q4.
September 3-7: National Payroll Week
National payroll week is one of the most underrated celebrations in HR. Everyone’s favorite day of the month is payday, so why not celebrate the heroes who bring us our paycheck every week (that’s you!)? It’s a great way to engage employees and educate them about what you do. Play payroll trivia, give out prizes, and eat payroll-themed foods (“PayDay” bars, anyone?).
September 13: Grandparents Day
While September 13th falls on a Sunday, take the opportunity to show employees you care by encouraging them to share photos of their families and holiday celebrations on the company newsfeed.
September 18-20: Rosh Hashanah
This is a good time to review your policy on holidays to make sure employees of all cultures have the time off and resources they need to celebrate their traditions.
September 23: Fall begins
And just like that, summer comes to an end. The last week in September is the perfect time to get employees geared up for Q4. Help employees set goals and offer resources to support them through the year’s final stretch.