Today is Administrative Professionals Day, which is being celebrated worldwide as part of Administrative Professionals Week, and is designed to recognise the hard work and importance of secretaries, admin assistants, receptionists, and other admin support professionals.
For those bosses who may have let this day slip by unnoticed, Adecco offer the following tips for things you could do to show how much you appreciate their work:
D.I.Y
Do a little of your own photocopying, filing, admin work - anything that lessens their work load is much appreciated.
Call it a day
Tell them to go home a little early today - a little more free time is assured to bring a smile.
No such thing as a free lunch?
Tell them to take longer for lunch if they like, they can get outside, clear their head, and come back to work refreshed and motivated. If they have no lunch plans perhaps you could treat them to a lunch.
My round
See if people want to go for a drink after work - you're paying!
Walkie Talkie
Speak to them - think, when was the last time you got up from your desk and went to speak to them about something non work-related? If you can't remember, go and find out what they have planned for their weekend.
Music makes the people come together
Put the radio on – some music in the office can often lift the mood and avoid deadly silences.
A little bit of what you fancy
Get them a treat - if you come back from lunch armed with cakes and snacks this is sure to put a smile on their faces. After all, the occasional treat doesn’t hurt
A good job, well done
Praise their work - it costs nothing but can increase job satisfaction and make your staff feel appreciated
Tea?
Make them a drink - it sounds simple but it might be nice to reverse the roles
My way of saying thank you
If you're really feeling flush, treat them big. Flowers, dinner for them and a friend/partner, bottle of champagne are all great ways of showing your appreciation.
Administrative staff take a lot of work load off those more senior members of staff and without them they could not run their business effectively. A treat like this would keep staff enthused and happy to work for you
Claire Darley, chief marketing officer for Adecco says, "Twenty years ago administrative staff may have been viewed as a less crucial member of staff in many organisations, but today it's a very different story. Many people in these types of roles are extremely career focused and are gaining experience in specific sectors with an intention of progressing in their chosen field, while others make administration their own area of expertise.
"Administrative staff, secretaries and receptionists are all key members of a work force and now carry much greater responsibility than ever before. Of course staff should be made to feel appreciated on an ongoing basis, but today is a good time to start!”
