5 Fantastic Ways to Show Thanks on Administrative Professionals Day

On April 22, 2015, many companies will be celebrating Administrative Professionals Day, one of the most commonly observed workplace celebrations in the world.

Administrative Professionals Day was created in 1952 as a way to honor and show appreciation to administrative support professionals such as secretaries, administrative assistants, receptionists, and live virtual receptionists at companies all over the world. It is generally celebrated by recognizing the hard work of administrative staff with gifts and corporate activities.

As the time to show thanks draws near, you may be thinking about the right gifts for your administrative professionals. After another year with the help of their invaluable help, you want their gift to be personal and meaningful. If you are struggling to come up with ideas, here is a list of five fantastic ways you can show thanks on Administrative Professionals Day.

Gift basket

For a more visual representation of your gratitude, opt for sending your administrative professional a beautifully-decorated gift basket. Not only are they exciting to look at, they can also be customized for their specific interests. You can either buy or make your own gift basket with themes ranging anywhere from coffee, chocolate, and wine to movies, spa kits, and games. No matter what they like, there is a gift basket theme out there that they will love.

Spa certificate

If your administrative assistant spends a lot of time making life easier for you, you can return the favor by rewarding them with a spa certificate. Their days can be filled with a lot of running around, and sometimes it can be exhausting and take a toll on the body. Individuals of any profession can find comfort in getting out of the office for a little bit of self-pampering and relaxation, and administrative assistants are certainly no exception. They will appreciate the gesture and stay motivated to continue to work hard when they return feeling rejuvenated.

Office potluck

If you employ several administrative professionals and would prefer not to give individual gifts, having a celebration in the office is a fantastic way to express your thanks. Throw a party in the office, such as a potluck or banquet, to show recognition of their work with the entire company. You can make it exclusive to administrative professionals or invite all of your employees so each of them can offer their own appreciation, as well.

Recognition awards

To recognize specific actions and performances of great work, many companies adopt employee recognition award programs. These can provide a variety of options for administrative assistant awards, including trophies, plaques, and certificates of achievement. Whichever option you choose, be sure that it is personalized for the recipient with their name and the achievement for which they are being rewarded. Make it a momentous occasion by having an awards ceremony to share their success with your entire company.

Continued education

The International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP), the main sponsor and registrant of Administrative Professionals Day, encourages employers to recognize support the holiday by rewarding their administrative assistants with continued education. Rather than gifts, awards, or parties, you can show interest in their future success by giving them opportunities to grow and learn with classes, workshops, or seminars. Any knowledge they receive benefits both them and your business by creating opportunities for their own career advancement, enhancing their job performance, and aiding with employee retention.

As Administrative Professionals Day rapidly approaches, consider these five ideas as you search for the perfect way to show special recognition for the myriad tasks your administrative staff perform to keep your business organized and running smoothly.

Have other ideas to show thanks on Administrative Professionals Day? Share how you are showing your gratitude to your administrative assistant in the comments below.

About Coco Quillen

Coco is the Chief Operating Officer at Davinci Virtual Office Solutions. She manages the strategic development and operational implementation of services for Davinci. She works closely with all teams to ensure customers are well taken care of.