Administrative Professionals Day takes place annually on Wednesday during the last full week of April in the United States and Canada. This day is an important time for businesses to appreciate and recognize the hard work of their office support and administrative professionals.
Contrary to popular belief, Administrative Professionals Day was not invented by Hallmark. It was created in 1952 to recognize the importance administrative personnel played and continues to play in the economy. During World War II, the workforce saw an increase need for administrative professionals. Thus the National Secretaries Association, now the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP).
So as the day draws near, do you need ideas about what to do for Administrative Professionals Day? If you’re struggling to come up with creative ideas to reward your amazing administrative professionals, check out these five ideas for Administrative Professionals Day that are sure to make them feel valued.
How to Celebrate Administrative Professionals Day: 5 Creative Ideas
1. Team Building Activities
Team building is an excellent choice when you’re considering ideas for Administrative Professionals Day, especially if you’re celebrating a larger group. From city-wide scavenger hunts to a Game Show Feud, there are many engaging and fun team building activities for your employees to participate in.
In addition to rewarding your employees with a fun activity outside of the office, team building activities can also help build confidence in employees and boost overall performance. On a higher level, these types of activities can grow a strong organizational culture. Employees develop deeper relationships and learn to work together more effectively.
2. Time Off: A Well-Deserved Break
Your admins work hard, so why not reward them with a day off? You can even bring it up a notch and reward them with an afternoon at the movies, spa, or mall. Most people enjoy a paid break to rest and reset to help decrease stress levels.
You can even extend the time off and offer a couple of paid vacation days. that They can use to take a short trip somewhere with friends or family.
3. Personalized Gifts
Another excellent way to properly award your admins is to give them a personalized gift. Before Administrative Professionals Day rolls around, learn what your employees like and dislike. Talk with their co-workers to gain a better understanding. You should also take the time to get to know your admin better if you’re not exactly sure what they like.
In return, your admin won’t just appreciate the personalized gift, but be more motivated in their work. They will know that upper management values them and their skills.
4. Professional Development
Not every admin will want a gift or time off. Some may want and would benefit from a professional training course or seminar. Have an informal one-on-one conversation with your administrative professionals. Discuss what skills they are looking to develop.
Developing new skills can help them become more effective at their job or help further their career. Then, once you have an idea of what they would like to develop, look for programs, seminars, or workshops they could attend.
At BEST, we offer many corporate training and professional development workshops. From time management to conflict resolution workshops, we can help your employees develop the necessary core competencies needed in today’s business environment.
5. Cater Lunch
Lastly, consider rewarding admins with a catered lunch or treat them to lunch outside of the office. Talk with employees to learn what type of food they enjoy. This will show your gratitude for their hard work. Plus, employees will notice if you go the extra mile to make their Administrative Professionals Day special.
Celebrate and Appreciate Your Administrative Professionals
Whether it’s through team building activities, personalized gifts, or professional development opportunities, Administrative Professionals Day is the perfect time to show your appreciation for your administrative team. These hard-working individuals keep the wheels of your organization turning smoothly every day, and recognizing their contributions can make a big impact on morale and productivity.
From rewarding time off to engaging team building challenges, there are plenty of ideas for Administrative Professionals Day to suit any team. Whatever you decide to do, make sure it’s thoughtful, personal, and fun to truly show how much you value their dedication. Need help planning the perfect event or selecting activities? Contact us to explore a range of creative administrative assistant day ideas that will make the celebration memorable!
