In today’s beautifully diverse UK workforce, building inclusive workplaces goes beyond hiring practices and pay equity. It means recognising and celebrating the cultural moments that matter to your employees.
One such occasion is Bengali New Year or Pohela Boishakh celebrated by Bengali communities on April 14th. As a DEI-focused HR partner for UK small businesses, we want to help you understand why this matters and how you can show up meaningfully.
What Is Bengali New Year (Pohela Boishakh)?
Pohela Boishakh marks the first day of the Bengali calendar and is widely celebrated in Bangladesh, West Bengal (India), and by the Bengali diaspora across the world including here in the UK.
It’s a time of joy, renewal, cultural pride, and community gathering. People wear traditional clothes, attend parades, cook festive meals, clean their homes and businesses, and start new accounting books (a practice called Haalkhata).
It’s like New Year’s Day, Diwali, and a spring festival rolled into one — a perfect opportunity for cultural appreciation.
Why Should UK Employers and HR Teams Acknowledge It?
Bengali New Year may not be on the mainstream UK calendar, but it holds deep significance for many employees, especially those with South Asian roots. Recognising it shows:
- Cultural sensitivity and respect
- A genuine commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
- A desire to celebrate your people for who they are — beyond the job title
For small businesses with tight-knit teams, small gestures can have a big impact on morale, retention, and sense of belonging.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Bengali New Year a religious holiday?
No, it’s a cultural and traditional celebration observed by people of all faiths in Bengali communities including Hindus, Muslims, Christians, and others. - Should I give time off for Pohela Boishakh?
If your employee requests leave, treat it with the same respect you would a major cultural holiday. Offer flexible time off or floating holidays to accommodate. - What if no one on our team celebrates it?
That’s okay! Acknowledging diverse holidays is still great practice for cultural awareness. Share educational content, host a themed lunch, or post a greeting it keeps your culture inclusive. - How can we avoid tokenism when celebrating cultural events?
Engage your employees meaningfully. Ask for input, encourage storytelling, and make sure celebrations aren’t just symbolic but backed by policies that reflect genuine inclusivity.
What Can Small Businesses & HR Teams Do?
Here are 5 simple, meaningful actions for Bengali New Year:
- Acknowledge It – Share a message in your internal comms or company Slack: “Shubho Noboborsho (Happy New Year) to everyone celebrating!”
- Be Flexible – Honour time-off requests or consider a floating holiday policy to support personal observances.
- Educate Your Team – Share a short piece about Pohela Boishakh in your company newsletter or host a 10-minute learning session.
- Celebrate With Culture – Order Bengali sweets for the office, play traditional music, or spotlight a team member’s story if they’re open to it.
- Embed It in DEI Strategy – Use this as a moment to reflect on how your organisation honours different cultures throughout the year — not just when it’s trending.
SleekHR Can Help You Do This Right
At SleekHR, we help small businesses create inclusive, human-first cultures through practical, DEI-aligned HR solutions. Whether you need cultural holiday calendars, inclusive time-off policies, or workplace training, we’re here to help you get it right with respect, relevance, and heart.
Contact us today: hello@sleekhr.co.uk | +44(0)3301336377 | www.sleekhr.co.uk
To Everyone Celebrating…
Shubho Noboborsho!
Wishing you a joyful, healthy, and prosperous Bengali New Year from all of us at SleekHR. Here’s to new beginnings and inclusive workplaces.
SleekHR – Your DEI-Focused HR Partner!
