Happy Administrative Professionals Day™ to all who celebrate the occasion! With thanks to everyone who participated in my latest Weekend Poll, here are your responses to my question: What do you think of Admin. Professionals Day, and its evolution?

I’m biased

Regular readers will know that, for years now, I’ve advocated for elevation of the assistant career. This requires that assistants themselves approach the role as a career rather than a pay deposit, and I know that’s likely the case with anyone who follows my writing.

It’s unsurprising, then, that I hope those who mark this day will find a way to incorporate professional development into your celebrations. Take a minute to do an online search for national days marking careers in accounting, health care and so on. You’ll typically find a focus on professional development, and not imagery or advertising for seemingly obligatory chocolates, cards and flowers. Having laid my own bias on the line, let’s move on to readers’ experiences and views on the day!

Hallmark must be happy

Sixty-three percent of respondents who live in countries where Admin. Professionals Day™ is recognised reported that they are recognised on this day – 45% of them informally, and 18% formally or during a meeting.

I asked readers to indicate what, if any, recognition they receive this week. More than a third of respondents (35%) reported that they receive cards, followed by flowers (19%) and then lunch (25% of respondents). Only 4% of respondents reported that they receive professional development (PD) funding in association with this event. That doesn’t stop assistants, though, from learning through their networks and professional associations!

Unprompted expressions of appreciation

… go a long way. Some readers are clearly working in offices where they’re valued, and they know it. Kudos to the leaders who nurture those environments. These smart people know that, beyond being thoughtful, they’re supporting employee engagement and generating a culture of loyalty.  Other readers’ comments made it clear that – Admin Professionals Day™ or not – they’d like to know they’re appreciated, and that the words “thank you” go a long way.

Tell me what you really think

I asked readers to briefly describe the most meaningful indicator of appreciation or recognition their employers could extend. Here’s a sampling of readers’ views, and you’ll find more comments in the Data section below.

• I find that we as admins celebrate each other in the absence of anyone else doing it.
• The most meaningful aspect is our IAAP celebration which my employer completely supports – getting to network and celebrate with peers.
• It doesn’t need to be anything over the top, just some appreciation is all I need.
• I think it is dated and ridiculous. No one else gets flowers. I would prefer a bonus structure in line with the team. Flowers are sexist and in my opinion demeaning.
• Any recognition would be nice. We have none!
• Forced recognition on a specific date is not necessary. I prefer that my boss say thank you for my efforts on a regular basis. I don’t like the attention when it feels obligatory.
• As I was never acknowledged for the work I did, I plan on recognising my assistants now I’m COO even though the day is not recognised in my country.

For the bosses reading this post

I realise that many principals (bosses) genuinely want to express appreciation for the skills and dedication assistants bring to the role, and like to mark Administrative Professionals Day™ . Some make a gesture that they know their assistant(s) will appreciate, while others will turn to their assistants and ask them to take care of said gesture.

If you’re supportive of this event but need to be reminded, you’re in good company. Thirty-one percent of respondents to this Weekend Poll believe that’s the case with their principals. Five percent reported that their principals routinely extend recognition and don’t see a need to mark this day or week. An additional 38% reported that their principals don’t do anything for this event.

If your assistant has sent you the link to this post, this may be a terrific opportunity to have a conversation about meaningful employee recognition and engagement.

THE DATA

Note: Information below reflects the percentage of respondents who selected specific responses from multiple choice options.

1. Does your principal (boss) extend recognition of your contributions as part of Admin. Professionals Day™/Week?

• 49% of respondents: Yes 
• 40% of respondents: No
• 11% of respondents: No, but it’s not recognised in my country

2.  Do other colleagues extend recognition of your contributions as part of Admin. Professionals Day™/Week?

• 47% of respondents: Yes 
• 40% of respondents: No
• 13% of respondents: No, but it’s not recognised in my country

3. If the event is generally recognised where you live, do you receive recognition of the day in conversation? 

• 45% of respondents: Yes, informally 
• 36% of respondents: No
• 18% of respondents: Yes; this occurs formally or during a meeting

 4. If the event is generally recognised where you live, please select “Yes” or “No” to indicate recognition you receive. Following are the percentages of respondents who reported that they do receive recognition of the event in the following forms.

• A card: 35%  of respondents
• Flowers: 19% of respondents
• Lunch: 25% of respondents
• Gift Certificate: 12% of respondents
• Chocolate: 5% of respondents
• PD funding: 4% of respondents

 5. Which of the following best describes how you think your principal feels about Admin Professionals Day™ and Week?

• 38% of respondents: S/he doesn’t do anything for the event
• 31% of respondents: S/he’s supportive of it but needs to be reminded
• 14% of respondents: Neutral; it’s a fact of life
• 10% of respondents: S/he’s all for it
• 5% of respondents: S/he routinely extends recognition and doesn’t see a need for it
• 2% of respondents: S/he thinks it’s a bit dated

6. On a scale of 1 (low relevance) to 3 (very relevant), how relevant do you think Admin. Professionals Day™ and Week are in 2019?

• 1 out of 3 (low relevance): 16% of respondents 
•  2 out of 3 (I have mixed feelings): 42% of respondents 
• 3 out of 3 (very relevant): 42% of respondents 

7. Which of the following best describes your views on this event?  I invited readers to choose as many answers as applied. The following list reflects the frequency with which each response was chosen, in descending order of frequency. Note: the first two responses below tied for the greatest frequency with which readers chose them.

• Intentions are good and I really value the recognition that’s extended.
• Intentions are good, but I find the approach in our office a bit old fashioned/out of step with the times.
• I would prefer simple acknowledgements of/feedback on my contributions on an ongoing basis.
• I value it primarily as an opportunity for professional development.
• Intentions are good; it just doesn’t resonate with me.

 8. Briefly describe the most meaningful indicator of appreciation/recognition your employer could extend to you – on Admin. Professionals Day™/Week or otherwise.

• A thank you for a job done well wouldn’t hurt on occasion! We have staff awards but a PA/EA would never win.
• Card or lunch
• A number of you said you’d appreciate simple expressions of thanks. Here are some examples of your comments: A thoughtful note thanking me for my contributions … Often they say thank you for being amazing today when I pop on the way out of the office … (Tell me) “Thank you!” … Any recognition would be nice. We have none!! … Verbal wishes for a good and or happy day.
• Paid training opportunity
• The most meaningful aspect is our IAAP celebration which my employer completely supports – getting to network and celebrate with peers.
• A personal note or card or email from senior management would make me very happy; more public recognition of the same type would be even better. It doesn’t need to be anything over the top, just some appreciation is all I need.
• Forced recognition on a specific date is not necessary. I prefer that my boss say thank you for my efforts on a regular basis. I don’t like the attention when it feels obligatory.
• I think it is dated and ridiculous. No one else gets flowers. I would prefer a bonus structure in line with the team. Flowers are sexist and in my opinion demeaning.
• When you are told that they have complete faith, trust, and confidence in your ability and you have made a difference.
• Formal recognition during a meeting without being prompted
• Appreciation throughout the year; one day makes no difference
• Not having to remind my boss each year would be a huge step after 10 years. I think I have gotten an unprompted acknowledgement like 2-3 times from teams or people I work for. I find that we as admins celebrate each other in the absence of anyone else doing it.
• Attend the AP Day celebration events.
• Offer flowers and thank you card.
• My firm does not recognise this day; as a large firm with many admin staff, it would be too expensive. I preferred this day when it was called PA Day.
• As I was never acknowledged for the work I did, I plan on recognising my assistants now I’m COO even though the day is not recognised in my country. But I can start it. In my office at least.
• Last year, we did a special lunch for all the admin staff with their directors. Each director shared what they valued/appreciated the most about his/her assistant. While we also had cards that the staff signed for each assistant, the feedback from my peers was that they enjoyed the lunch the most of the various things we’ve done over the years (e.g., gift cards, flowers).
• My employer does not know about it but it would be nice to receive some/any feedback as to how I am doing.
• Nothing during Admin Prof Week; however, I did receive administrative employee of the year for 2017.
• A hand written card; support for training/development. My employer has moved away from recognizing admin day, among others like nurses’ day. We recognize employee appreciation day (on) March 01 of each year.
• (Being) given extra time off would be great.
• sigh… I think it is important that we call out how important the role is in today’s world – that there is a career path and professional development makes a difference, because if we don’t it will be overlooked and overtaken. In my organisation, I lead an assistant network and we make a big deal out of the week. We ask our managers to participate in intranet and social media activities, calling out what the role means to our organisation’s success.
• Support as an administrative professional
• My employer is supportive of my professional development. It’s nice admin day/week is generally recognized overall for the entire company.