International Men’s Day is an important occasion that highlights the positive contributions of men to society and addresses the challenges they face.At Includability, we believe in creating inclusive work environments that promote the wellbeing of all employees.
In this blog, we’ll explore the purpose of International Men’s Day, its connection to Movember, and how organisations can take action to celebrate the day while supporting men's mental and physical health in the workplace.
International Men’s Day, celebrated annually on November 19th, is an opportunity to recognise the role men play in their communities and to shed light on key issues affecting men, such as mental health, workplace inclusion, and gender equality.
The day encourages positive male role models and aims to break down harmful stereotypes. While it serves as a moment to celebrate men, it also brings attention to men’s struggles, especially in areas like mental health and suicide prevention.
IMD aims to address a number of issues that men and boys face, including: Mental health, Education and work challenges, Male victims of violence and crime, and Challenges faced by men as parents.
IMD is an inclusive platform that supports men and boys in all forms. It also recognises the intersection between gender and other factors such as race, place, class, and sexuality.
Movember is a global campaign that runs every November to raise awareness of men’s health issues, particularly prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health. During Movember, men are encouraged to grow Mustaches as a symbol of their participation and to spark conversations about these health challenges.
Movember and International Men’s Day align in their missions to raise awareness and support for men's physical and mental wellbeing.
Celebrating International Men’s Day can take many forms within an organisation. Companies can organise events or workshops that focus on men’s mental health, provide resources for physical wellbeing, and offer a platform for men to share their experiences.
Simple actions like encouraging open conversations or acknowledging positive male role models can go a long way in fostering an inclusive environment.
International Men’s Day is held annually on November 19th. The day provides a dedicated space to discuss men's wellbeing, health challenges, and the importance of positive role models. Pairing this with the month-long Movember campaign makes November a crucial period for promoting men’s health and inclusivity in the workplace.
The theme of International Men’s Day 2024 highlights the importance of improving the health and well-being of men and boys. It also aims to recognise the people who are working to improve the lives of men and boys. The theme has four sub-themes:
International Men’s Day was inaugurated in 1999 in Trinidad and Tobago, IMD was created by Dr Jerome Tuluck Singh to commemorate his father’s birthday and is now celebrated in over 80 countries worldwide. Its aim is to celebrate the achievements and contributions of men while focusing on the broader issues of male mental health and wellbeing.
The day has grown significantly in awareness and participation since its inception, with more businesses taking part each year.
Positive male role models contribute significantly to a healthy and inclusive workplace culture. They can inspire others, challenge toxic masculinity, and promote healthy work-life balance. By encouraging men to embrace diverse roles and perspectives, organisations can cultivate a workplace that values inclusivity and growth for all employees.
Positive male role models play a crucial role in transforming workplace culture by promoting inclusivity, challenging outdated stereotypes, and encouraging emotional openness.
Positive male role models also encourage openness around emotions and mental health, allowing colleagues to prioritise well-being instead of adhering to harmful "tough guy" narratives. Natalie Welsh, Co-Founder of The TypeFace Group, explains role models can challenge stereotypes by showing vulnerability and calling out problematic behaviour. This, in turn, creates healthier, more collaborative workplaces.
“Positive male role models can have a transformative impact regardless of the industry. As a woman who has navigated male (automotive) and female (education) dominated environments, I've seen the difference in a culture where men are modelling inclusive and emotionally intelligent actions versus when they are not, whatever role they hold, they may be in the company. Positive male role models can:
“1. Challenge Stereotypes: When men show vulnerability, listen actively, and promote inclusive collaboration, it creates a healthier culture for all. Through these actions, men can dismantle the traditional "tough guy" image that often dominates the "masculine" narrative by listening and calling in problematic phrases and behaviours, which will slowly promote change.
“2. Encourage Emotional Openness: Men who show it's okay to talk about their feelings, family/home life, and mental health permit others to do the same. This can shift the workplace culture from normalising stress and burnout to prioritising mental well-being, which positively impacts overall health.
“3. Train Inclusive Champions: When male leaders champion the careers of others, it sends a powerful message. Offering training around inclusivity will encourage more men to see the benefits of actively ensuring that opportunities are accessible to everyone. It will change the "dog eat dog" and "old boys club" narratives that no longer serve a purpose in today's workplace and ultimately leads to a silo workforce just out for their personal gain.”
Natalie Welsh, Co-Founder, The TypeFace Group
Alex Manners, author of That's Not Right! My Life Living with Asperger's, highlights that positive male role models not only inspire others but also foster happiness and motivation in the workplace, enhancing daily productivity and well-being.
“Positive male role models can encourage others, inspire others, and bring happiness to the workplace. I have had some amazing conversations with other men about the work we are doing where I have been smiling throughout. This in turn has motivated me to work harder and smarter and has done wonders to my daily wellbeing.”
Alex Manners, Author, "That's Not Right! My life Living with Asperger's"
When men in leadership embody open communication and vulnerability, they break traditional moulds, helping build an environment of respect, mentorship, and emotional intelligence, ultimately boosting morale across teams. Manuel Schlothauer, Founder of HeyManuel Coaching & Therapy, adds that empathy, integrity, and balance demonstrated by male leaders can foster trust and inclusivity.
“Positive male role models can profoundly influence workplace culture by embodying empathy, integrity, and balance. When men in leadership demonstrate vulnerability, open communication, and collaboration, they challenge outdated stereotypes and create a more inclusive environment. These role models set the tone for healthy dynamics, encouraging mentorship, emotional intelligence, and respect for diversity. Their behaviour not only fosters trust but also motivates others to lead with authenticity, ultimately enhancing productivity and morale across the board.”
Manuel Schlothauer, Founder, HeyManuel Coaching & Therapy
More openness from men can normalise difficult conversations and encourage others to speak up, creating a safer, more inclusive environment where employees don’t feel judged for seeking support. Kirsty Dixon, a Menopause Educator, stresses the importance of male role models speaking out about struggles, particularly with mental health.
“We all know that men are less likely to speak out when they are struggling, especially mentally. Positive role models and men who are happy to speak out, can only help to normalise conversations and create an inclusive and open work environment. Over time this can help those who are shy to speak about issues, realise that it is perfectly ok and they will not be deemed as 'weak' for doing so.”
Kirsty Dixon, Menopause Educator
Sophie Kang, Sales & Marketing Manager at Sign Solutions, believes that positive male role models are key in challenging stereotypes about leadership and success being gendered. Their influence helps cultivate a diverse, equitable workplace where leadership is seen as a shared responsibility, not limited to one gender.
“Having positive male role models can help challenge and change any existing stereotypes or biases within the workplace. They can show that success and leadership are not limited to any one gender, promoting a more diverse and inclusive work environment.”
Sophie Kang, Sales and Marketing Manager, Sign Solutions
Creating a safer and more inclusive workplace where junior team members feel empowered to be themselves helps male colleagues to gain more emotional intelligence. Gunraj Arora highlights the need for a shift in workplace dynamics, particularly in male-dominated environments, by encouraging male role models to lead with compassion rather than competitiveness.
He challenges the "old-school" cultural norms that prioritises competition, advocating instead for emotional intelligence in leadership.
“Most businesses are still male dominated at the top level. We have to challenge the harsh, 'old-school' cultural alignment norm where we are driven by competition. It's imperative for male role models to shine by encompassing the full human range of emotions, particularly compassion.
“When we see those types of role models in the workplace, it impacts the entire culture; encouraging junior team members to feel safer and inspired to show their full selves at work.”
Gunraj Arora, Coach, Facilitator, Mindfulness Practitioner & Lawyer
Positive male role models in the workplace set a constructive tone for how challenges are handled, relationships are built, and stress is managed.
As Sara Matthews explains, role models who display maturity, empathy, and thoughtfulness help create a workplace environment where professionalism thrives and collaboration flourishes. When employees observe these behaviours, it encourages similar positive interactions and respect across the team, making a tangible difference in work culture.
"Positive role modelling and behaviours bring many benefits to the workplace and its culture. Having individuals at work who act and conduct themselves in a positive way sets the tone for how others address work issues and challenges, how they cope in stressful situations, and how they operate and collaborate with others.
"Having role models who demonstrate thoughtfulness, maturity and empathy brings a positive and professional environment for everyone to work in."
Sara Matthews, Director of ODISEE
These voices collectively show that male role models who embrace inclusivity, vulnerability, and support for others help foster a work environment where diversity, mental health, and emotional well-being thrive.
Supporting male employees to focus on their health and wellbeing can be as simple as providing mental health resources, promoting physical health initiatives, and encouraging participation in awareness campaigns like Movember. Employers should foster a supportive atmosphere where male colleagues feel comfortable addressing health concerns without stigma.
Encouraging men to prioritise their health and well-being in the workplace requires shifting cultural norms, promoting openness, and offering the right support structures. In today's fast-paced environments, many men often neglect their physical and mental well-being, but fostering a more open culture can change that.
Making mental health resources, such as counselling and stress management workshops, accessible and stigma-free, businesses can create an environment where men feel empowered to focus on their well-being.
Natalie Welsh emphasises that men need safe spaces to discuss mental health and stresses the importance of normalising vulnerability. She also points out that well-being directly correlates with performance and framing it as a way to excel can resonate with men in performance-driven roles.
“Encouraging male colleagues to focus on their health and well-being requires a mixture of awareness, cultural shifts, and leading by example. As a mother to a boy, I openly show and talk about my emotions and the benefits of seeing my therapist to make it less taboo. However, I am acutely aware of the lack of positive male role models in his formative years within his immediate close circle, which is why the likes Mr Beast and Jordan Stephens are a godsend. These individuals are more likely to reinforce what I am saying and doing because they model these actions as inspirational men. This approach is easy to replicate in the workplace.
“Here are a few more ideas of what can be done:
“1. Normalise vulnerability: Create spaces where men feel safe discussing stress, emotions, and mental health. This starts with leadership modelling openness. When male colleagues see their peers discussing these topics without fear of judgment, they're more likely to follow.
“2. Promote Mental Health Resources: Many men may hesitate to use well-being programs or resources because they fear they will look weak. We can change this by normalising mental health days (at TFG, we call these personal days to prevent further stigma), counselling, and stress-management workshops and actively promoting them as necessary tools for everyone.
“3. Encourage Peer Support: Men often respond well to peer-led initiatives. Having male colleagues advocate for regular check-ins, healthy work-life boundaries, and wellness activities can create a more receptive environment for others to engage in their well-being.
“4. Well-being Performance: Many men, especially in fast-paced industries, focus on performance and results. Reminding men that health and well-being are intrinsically linked to performance and long-term success can be one way to motivate them into take it seriously. Just look at any athlete for an analogy!
“Fostering a culture that values emotional intelligence, and well-being will not only create workplaces where men can thrive and have long, successful careers but everyone.”
Natalie Welsh, Co-Founder, The TypeFace Group
Acknowledging personal interests, he believes, can significantly help male colleagues to de-stress. Alex Manners stresses the importance of having quiet spaces for relaxation and encourages taking breaks throughout the day to engage in activities that bring joy.
“Giving colleagues a quiet space to go to where they can de-stress, unwind and relax is really important. Also encourage them to take a break throughout the day and focus on something they enjoy doing. I know when I focus on a special interest I am completely relaxed, and all my worries seem to go away.”
Alex Manners, Author, "That's Not Right! My life Living with Asperger's
When male colleagues see examples of others benefiting from self-care practices, they become more comfortable engaging in similar activities. He advocates for accessible resources like wellness workshops and mental health days to break down the stigma around men taking time for themselves.
Manuel Schlothauer, Founder of HeyManuel Coaching & Therapy, echoes these sentiments by highlighting the need to make self-care more relatable to men.
“Encouraging male colleagues to prioritise health and wellbeing starts with normalising self-care in the workplace. Creating a culture that openly discusses mental and physical health, offering accessible resources like fitness programs, mental health days, and wellness workshops can help break down stigma. Additionally, fostering peer support and highlighting stories of men who’ve benefited from self-care can make the conversation more relatable. Engaging male employees in these initiatives by framing wellbeing as a strength, not a vulnerability, can encourage them to take proactive steps.”
Manuel Schlothauer, Founder, HeyManuel Coaching & Therapy
Kirsty Dixon suggests making wellness part of the workplace culture. She recommends men’s wellness-themed days and regular meetings where male employees can discuss well-being initiatives, with support from senior leadership.
“Promote it! Have men wellness themed days. Not just on a specific date like International Men's Day. Include it in newsletters. Posters in toilets and elsewhere. Set up a Men's Wellness Group to meet monthly. Get management onboard, especially executive or senior management speaking out. Keep it on the EDI agenda. Have wellbeing initiatives. Small things will make a huge difference. (Please note, this can be for women’s wellness too!)”
Kirsty Dixon, Menopause Educator
A collective focus on well-being can lead to a more productive and healthier workforce, encouraging open dialogue and reducing stigma around men's health in the workplace.
Sophie Kang notes that men who prioritise and openly discuss their health can inspire others to do the same.
“By openly discussing and prioritising their own health, they can encourage others to do the same, leading to a healthier and more productive workforce.”
Sophie Kang, Sales and Marketing Manager, Sign Solutions
Arora further emphasizes the importance of openness regarding personal well-being. By sharing their own challenges, male colleagues can foster resilience, encourage others to be vulnerable, and promote collective growth in the workplace.
“It starts with each of us being honest with our wellbeing challenges. Being open and sharing your struggles is the best way I know of becoming stronger and more resilient. Colleagues can learn a great deal from being open and true to themselves, to find their own path to greater wellbeing.”
Gunraj Arora, Coach, Facilitator, Mindfulness Practitioner & Lawyer
Addressing men’s health and wellbeing at work can lead to greater engagement and a supportive culture. Sara Matthews suggests using targeted communication and awareness programmes alongside expert partnerships to encourage male colleagues to prioritise their health. Integrating lived experiences, educational campaigns, and additional resources into the workplace can provide the knowledge and tools needed for better health awareness among male employees.
“Focusing on health and wellbeing can be addressed through communication and awareness raising programmes. This can be supplemented with specialist organisations bringing their knowledge and expertise to the workplace and individuals discussing lived experiences. Further support can be given through signposting male colleagues to other information sources and through internal media campaigns.”
Sara Matthews, Director of ODISEE
By embedding these approaches into workplace culture, businesses can help male employees lead healthier, more balanced lives while also boosting overall team productivity and morale.
Includability offers a range of resources and tools to help organisations create inclusive cultures that support the mental and physical wellbeing of all employees. During International Men’s Day, we provide expert-led workshops on mental health, access to male-focused wellness resources, and guidance on developing inclusive workplace strategies.
Our network of Partner Experts and Ambassadors is here to support your organisation in making meaningful changes that foster inclusivity for men and all colleagues. Contact us to learn more about how we can assist you during International Men’s Day and throughout the year. dave@includability.co.uk
https://www.weareincludability.co.uk/membership/signup
Signing up for the Includability newsletter can be the first step to creating a more complete society. Periodically we will send our latest articles, events & guides from some of the most respected voices in the industry. We run a no-spam policy so you won't get 100's of unwanted messages from us.
