International Age Diversity Day
September 24
About International Age Diversity Day
International Age Diversity Day takes place on 24 September each year, and in 2026 it falls on Thursday, 24 September. The day celebrates people of all generations in the workplace and raises awareness of the value that age diversity brings to teams and organisations. It encourages employers to challenge age-related bias and to recognise the strengths that come from bringing different ages together.
What is International Age Diversity Day?
International Age Diversity Day, often shortened to IADD, is a global awareness day focused on age inclusion in the world of work. It celebrates every generation in the workforce, from those just starting out to those with decades of experience, and it asks businesses to consider the benefits of building teams that span a wide range of ages. The day is run by the Age Diversity Forum, a not-for-profit social enterprise, and it treats age as an essential and sometimes overlooked part of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
When is International Age Diversity Day?
International Age Diversity Day is observed on 24 September every year. In 2026 it falls on a Thursday. The date was settled in late September relatively recently, having moved from earlier in the year, so it is now a fixed annual fixture. If you care about creating fairer, more inclusive workplaces, you might also be interested in Flexible Working Awareness Day, which promotes another important aspect of modern working life.
Why International Age Diversity Day Matters
Workforces are ageing across much of the world, and people are working later into life than previous generations did. This makes age inclusion more relevant than ever, yet age remains one of the most common and least challenged forms of bias at work. Older workers can be overlooked for hiring, training, and promotion, while younger workers are sometimes dismissed as inexperienced.
Age-diverse teams bring together a broad mix of skills, perspectives, and life experience. Experienced staff offer institutional knowledge and mentorship, while younger colleagues often bring fresh ideas and fluency with new tools. International Age Diversity Day matters because it encourages organisations to value this blend, to design policies that support longer and healthier working lives, and to treat workers fairly regardless of how old they are.
How to Get Involved in International Age Diversity Day
There are many ways for individuals, managers, and organisations to take part, whatever the size of the workplace.
- Review your hiring practices – Examine job adverts and recruitment processes for language or assumptions that might discourage candidates of certain ages.
- Set up mentoring schemes – Pair colleagues of different generations so knowledge and skills flow in both directions.
- Run an awareness session – Host a talk or workshop on age inclusion and the value of intergenerational teams.
- Celebrate experience and fresh perspectives – Recognise the contributions of both long-serving and newer staff members.
- Audit your policies – Check that training, promotion, and development opportunities are open to workers of every age.
- Listen to employees – Invite staff to share their experiences of age at work and act on what you hear.
- Share the message online – Use the day to spread awareness on social media and encourage other organisations to take age inclusion seriously.
History of International Age Diversity Day
International Age Diversity Day is run by the Age Diversity Forum, a not-for-profit social enterprise founded in 2015. The organisation was created to champion age inclusion and to make the case that age belongs alongside other strands of diversity, equity, and inclusion work.
The day was originally known as Champion Age Diversity Day. In its early years it was held earlier in the calendar, but in 2024 the organisers moved it to late September, settling on 24 September as its annual date. The rebranding and the new date helped to give the observance a clearer identity and a more consistent place in the diversity calendar.
Since then the day has grown as more employers, managers, recruiters, and inclusion professionals have taken up its message. By focusing squarely on the workplace, International Age Diversity Day has carved out a distinct role among awareness days, encouraging practical action rather than abstract discussion.
Noteworthy Facts About International Age Diversity Day
- The day is organised by the Age Diversity Forum, founded in 2015.
- It was originally called Champion Age Diversity Day.
- The observance moved to 24 September in 2024.
- Its core focus is age inclusion within the workplace.
- It treats age as an essential part of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is International Age Diversity Day?
It is a global awareness day on 24 September that celebrates all generations in the workplace and promotes age inclusion as part of wider diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
When is International Age Diversity Day in 2026?
It falls on Thursday, 24 September 2026. The date is now fixed each year.
Who organises International Age Diversity Day?
It is run by the Age Diversity Forum, a not-for-profit social enterprise founded in 2015 to champion age inclusion.
Spread the Word
Help raise awareness by sharing International Age Diversity Day with your colleagues, friends, and followers. Use the hashtags #IADD and #IADD2026 on social media. The more workplaces that recognise the value of age diversity, the fairer and more productive working life can become for everyone.
Related Awareness Days
- Flexible Working Awareness Day – A day promoting flexible working arrangements that support people at every stage of life.
- Autistic Pride Day – A day celebrating neurodiversity and inclusion in society and the workplace.
- National Centenarian’s Day – A celebration of longevity and the contributions of the oldest members of our communities.
Links
- Visit the official International Age Diversity Day website
- Explore more awareness days at AwarenessDays.com
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