The last full week in April celebrates Administrative Professionals Week. From taking over the organization to buying some tasty treats, here are 14 answers to the question, “Can you share your favorite ways a business can celebrate its administrative professionals?”
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- Take Charge of Organizing for a Change!
- Talk About Work Flexibility
- Hold a Free Tech Giveaway
- Throw a “Thank You” Luncheon
- Offer Additional Time Off
- Schedule Time With Executives
- Start a Mentorship Program
- Create Personalized Employee Spotlight Company Newsletters for Admin Staff
- Consider a Raise or a Bonus
- Give a Gift Card
- Thoughtfully Incorporate Public Gratitude
- Host a Virtual Recognition Event
- Provide Professional Development Opportunities
- Grab Some Delicious Treats
Take Charge of Organizing for a Change
Administrative workers’ job is to organize and multitask as much as possible all day long. If you want to show them appreciation and make their day completely different, make the tables turn!
Schedule a non-formal meeting for your administrative department, during which they’ll brainstorm ideas for improving their comfort at work. It could be even the craziest ideas, from office décor to new innovative equipment for each employee.
Later, decide which ideas are possible and implement them—without the help of the administrative workers—as soon as possible. Consider asking for their feedback on your changes to ensure they’re happy with the result. This will not only show your administrative professionals that you care about their well-being, but it will also make their work environment more comfortable and conducive to productivity.
Bartek Boniecki, Head of People, US Passport Photo
Talk About Work Flexibility
If you want to show your administrative professionals that you appreciate their work-life balance, I think it’s a good idea to give them options for working remotely and/or for flexible hours.
This adaptability can help reduce stress, boost job satisfaction, and foster a more productive workplace. It is critical to clearly define the norms and expectations, set reasonable goals, and provide the necessary tools and resources for employees to operate productively remotely.
Edward Mellett, Co-founder, TestHQ
Hold a Free Tech Giveaway
Giving away a box full of sponsored prizes, or developing a game where every participant wins something, is an excellent way to celebrate. Headphones, small kitchen appliances, and equipment, etc., make solid giveaway surprises to make everyone feel valued. Finding a corporate partner instead of just buying something provides an excellent networking opportunity, too.
Max Schwartzapfel, CMO, Schwartzapfel Lawyers
Throw a “Thank You” Luncheon
Nothing brings people together like a good meal, so why not host a special luncheon for your administrative professionals and treat them to a delicious meal as a token of appreciation? It could even be a potluck-style luncheon where everyone in the office contributes a dish.
During the luncheon, take the time to express your gratitude and acknowledge the hard work and contributions of your administrative professionals. You can also provide small gifts, such as personalized thank-you notes or fragrances that you know they love, as a gesture of appreciation.
Larissa Pickens, Founder, Everfumed
Offer Additional Time Off
In my opinion, in addition to giving your administrative workers a day off, you should give them additional time off. This could take the shape of additional vacation days, a half-day, or a more flexible schedule. Offering your administrative workers more time off is a terrific way to show your appreciation for their efforts and give them a well-deserved respite.
Kenny Kline, President and Financial Lead, BarBend
Schedule Time With Executives
Provide your administrative professionals the opportunity to sit down with company executives. Providing this time with the leaders of the organization gives them an additional development resource and helps them feel empowered.
This also gives them the chance to share their ideas for their specific positions or the entire company. Dedicating time for your admin professionals to connect with the heads of the organization shows them just how much you value their opinion and is a fantastic way to celebrate them for Administrative Professionals Week.
Sasha Ramani, Associate Director of Corporate Strategy, MPOWER Financing
Start a Mentorship Program
We are planning to pair our administrative professionals with experienced mentors who provide guidance, support, and knowledge sharing. Mentors will assist new employees in understanding their roles.
Besides the mentorship program, we are also going to provide ongoing professional development opportunities for our administrative professionals. This includes workshops, seminars, and online courses to enhance their skills in areas such as time management, communication, problem-solving, and project management.
We also encourage them to attend relevant conferences and industry events to broaden their knowledge and network with other professionals.
Create Personalized Employee Spotlight Company Newsletters for Admin Staff
Everyone loves being celebrated—especially the administrative staff, whose inputs are so commonly ignored.
Curating an extensively personalized employee spotlight company newsletter is one intelligent, low-cost way to shine the light on the heroics of your administrative staff.
Creating these newsletters shouldn’t be complicated, either. The newsletter can have pages dedicated to each admin staff.
To flavor it with more personalization, each admin staff page should have a hilarious (or emotionally stimulating) picture of that admin and sweet comments from colleagues about each admin staff.
Never underestimate the psychological remuneration such newsletters can pay your admin staff.
Lotus Felix, CEO, Lotus Brains Studio
Consider a Raise or a Bonus
Giving your administrative workers a salary increase or bonus is, in my opinion, one of the best ways to express your appreciation for their hard work. This can be a big gesture that demonstrates to your employees that you appreciate their contributions and are prepared to invest in their future with the company.
When considering a raise or bonus, ensure that it is fair and consistent with industry standards and that it is based on the employee’s performance and contributions to the company’s success.
Matt Magnante, Director of Content and SEO, Fitness Volt
Give a Gift Card
Every employee would appreciate a gift card, but administrative workers are especially well-suited to receive one.
Many administrative professionals devote most of their workweeks to looking after other people. Executive assistants keep their attention on ensuring that executives have well-organized calendars, travel plans, and everything else they need to complete their work. The majority of an office manager’s day is spent working to make the workplace pleasant for both employees and visitors.
An incentive such as a gift card encourages people to indulge. To give them the freedom to choose how they want to use their present, you may alternatively choose a Visa gift card.
Leona Bass, Marketing Director, Loan Advisor
Thoughtfully Incorporate Public Gratitude
One way to celebrate an Administrative Professional is to first ask what they like and get very creative. What I would love to do is to write personal notes or even thank the person in the presence of others.
We can do this at a town hall, the weekly newsletter, the well-viewed platform used for business communication, have the owner or CEO do a personalized message, and simply perform an act of kindness that matters most to the person. A coupon for an extra day off, massage, gift card, or lunch on us twice, or couple it with a handwritten thank-you note. Being seen is important and not just on one day out of the year.
Tanya Turner, MBA, SHRM-CP, PHR, HR Director, SALTO Systems, Inc
Host a Virtual Recognition Event
If you’re looking for a unique way to celebrate Administrative Professionals Week, consider hosting a virtual recognition event. This could include a presentation from upper management, personalized thank-you notes from team members, and perhaps even the option for team members to select their own rewards from a predetermined list.
Additionally, you might consider offering a day off or half-day off to those team members as a way to emphasize the appreciation you have for their hard work and dedication throughout the year. By taking the time to recognize your administrative professionals in a thoughtful and personalized way, you can boost morale and help your team feel valued and supported.
Jefferson McCall, Co-founder and HR Head, TechBullish
Provide Professional Development Opportunities
I think this is a fantastic way for your company to recognize the contributions of its administrative professionals. Investing in the professional development of your administrative workers can benefit both the individual and the firm.
It can help people improve their abilities, increase their job satisfaction, and expand their career opportunities. Offering opportunities for your administrative professionals to attend industry conferences, take online courses, or participate in training sessions can be a fantastic way to demonstrate your commitment to their growth and success.
Gerrid Smith, Communications Manager, Property Tax Loan Pros
Grab Some Delicious Treats
The finest thing I know to honor my administrative professionals on their day is to give them a treat. I take pleasure in showering my professionals with such attention, and they always appreciate it.
Yet if you want your administrative professionals to feel appreciated, surprise them with a treat they will like the most. Whether it’s a meaningful gift or flowers, bringing in breakfast, snacks, or lunch for the employees is always appreciated.
The secret to honoring your administrative professionals is demonstrating how much you cherish and appreciate their efforts. Inspire everyone on the team to thank their coworkers for their efforts and acknowledge their contributions.
Vincent Zhu, CEO, ShineACS Locks
