Hello, you beautiful, dedicated HR heartbeats of the workplace! 👋

We know. International HR Day was yesterday, May 20th. And yes, we could’ve added one more sweet message to your overflowing Tuesday inbox – full of warm thoughts, urgent requests, and wonderfully chaotic Slack threads.

But we didn’t. On purpose.

Because you were busy, as always, making space for everyone else.

Your impact deserves more than a quick "thank you." It deserves reflection, celebration, and the spotlight you’re too humble to ask for.

💡A Day That Belongs to You: The Story Behind International HR Day

While you might have been too busy caring for others yesterday to stop and reflect, May 20th — International HR Day — was created for you.

How did it start?

Back in 2019, the European Association for People Management (EAPM) established International HR Day to bring long-overdue visibility to the vital role HR professionals play — not just behind the scenes, but at the heart of every strategic success story in an organization.

Since then, May 20th has become a global moment — where HR leaders come together to reflect, upskill, and uplift each other. From driving AI transformation to championing DEI, shaping agile teams, and nurturing mental health.

🧠 2025 Theme: Humanify AI — Leading Change Together

This year's theme is especially timely: “Humanify AI: Leading Change Together.”

As technology, especially AI, reshapes how we recruit, engage, and grow our people, this theme reminds us that HR’s real superpower is its ability to keep humans at the center of innovation. It calls on all of us to adopt AI tools without losing the human touch — to lead the AI revolution with empathy, ethics, and inclusivity.

From redefining workforce planning to navigating ethical tech use, HR is being asked to do more than ever — and once again, you're stepping up with strength, compassion, and clarity.

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 🎉 We’re Here to CELEBRATE YOU — The Human Heart of HR!

In the spirit of International HR Day and “Humanify AI,” the TSOW HR 40 Under 40 Awards are open!

Know an HR hero (maybe you? 👀) leading with heart and smarts in this AI-powered world?

🏆 Winners get a custom trophy, certificate, and surprises!
🌟3 standout changemakers will be awarded Apple iPads, and 2 honorary champions will receive Amazon Kindles.

👉️ Nominate now and shine bright, workplace unicorn!

We’re doing our best to celebrate and appreciate everything you do — because you truly deserve it.

🫵To Every HR Professional: This Is for You 🫵

From the very bottom of our hearts — thank you.💖

Thank you for being the first warm voice when someone is struggling, and the last one quietly ensuring everything is okay when no one else is looking. Thank you for fighting for fairness in silence, for holding sacred space during grief, for celebrating so quietly when someone gets that promotion because you remember every single step of their hard work. Thank you for welcoming each new hire with open arms and guiding others through graceful, compassionate exits.

You remember birthdays, gently solve conflicts, craft policies with care, and fiercely protect the soul of your culture. You’ve had to lead through a pandemic, through layoffs, through crises of identity and technology — and still, with unwavering kindness, you've chosen people first, every single time. You’ve been wise strategists, comforting counselors, patient coaches, joyful cheerleaders, and unwavering warriors for well-being. Thank you.

In a world that spins so fast, you are the steady, gentle hands holding the beautiful soul of every organization. You make work more human. You bring such warmth into often-cold spaces. And you rarely, if ever, ask for applause. Thank you

But even though International HR Day was yesterday, the profound impact you make is felt every single day. So today, we give you that applause — with overflowing gratitude, with profound admiration, and with absolute awe.

Here’s to you — the true heartbeat of the workplace.

With profound respect,
The TSOW Team