April 22, 2021
Our Podcast brings you ideas, inspiration, and best practices for Team Building from cities around the globe. Learn More
Administrative Professionals’ Day (also known as Administrative Assistant Day, Secretaries Day or Admin Day) is a day to highlight the important role of secretaries, assistants, receptionists, and other administrative support, which is observed in several countries.
During World War II, there was an increased need for skilled administrative personnel, particularly in the United States. Mary Barrett and C. King Woodbridge launched the holiday while serving on a council addressing a national shortage of skilled office workers to recognize “the secretary, upon whose skills, loyalty, and efficiency the functions of business and government offices depend,” and to call attention “through favorable publicity, to the tremendous potential of the secretarial career.” Account executives at Young & Rubicam originated the idea for a National Secretaries Week.
The official period of celebration was held June 1–7 in 1952, with Wednesday, June 4, 1952 and designated as National Secretaries Day. In 1955, the observance date of National Secretaries Week was moved to the last full week of April. The name was changed to Professional Secretaries Week in 1981, and became Administrative Professionals Week in 2000 to encompass the expanding responsibilities and job titles of administrative support staff.
3 Ways To Celebrate
Administrative Professionals’ Day has become one of the largest workplace holidays. Companies have celebrated through community events, social gatherings, and individual corporate activities recognizing support staff with gifts. Many US companies celebrate by giving flowers, candy, trinkets, lunch at a restaurant, gift cards, or time off. However, the IAAP suggests that employers provide training opportunities for their administrative staff.
Gifting experiences is also another great option to show your appreciation for your employees. Over time, many more employers and supervisors have started arranging events to show their appreciation. These highlight the importance of administrative professionals to the organization and enhance their work-related skills. Show your administrative professional staff how much you appreciate their contributions this year.
1. Invest in Work.
One of the best ways to make someone feel like their job is important is to invest in their role or department, especially in ways that make work more fun, efficient or easier. Your team will be more energized, have more time for other tasks and feel recognized.
If you’re managing a marketing department, ask your team to help identify opportunities for more data and automation. If you’re managing an accounting team, explore tools and training for programs like Salesforce. Do you lead a project management team? Check out tools like Trello. (bonus: it’s free!)
2. Invest in Play.
Having fun at work doesn’t just lead to great company culture, it also boosts productivity. Over 80% of the United States’ workforce experiences stress due to work. Now more than ever, it’s important for employees to have fun and build connections with their coworkers.
Team building activities, events, and icebreakers also help the members of your team create bonds that are as authentic as they are deep. Opportunities for play are a great way to celebrate and create a culture of teamwork. Whether they are virtual or in person, TeamBonding events are a perfect fit for Administrative Professionals’ Day.
As companies are slowly transitioning back to in-person events, outdoor activities are a great way to spend the day with your 
coworkers in a fun and safe environment. Empower your team and build trust with an Axe Throwing Event. Or test your team’s survivor skills in our Corporate Survivor! Some other great outdoor team activities to get the team together are Drone Control and a Team Scavenger Hunt.
If your team still isn’t back in the office then a virtual event is the perfect option. Bring out the positivity and encourage relationship building with the Gratitude program, or learn to crack a joke in our new Virtual Comedy School.
3. Invest in Learning.
Professional training programs and webinars delivered by industry experts are designed to energize your organization. Based on your specific need, each team building and professional development program combines work and play led by passionate, experienced, and often local trainers. Through programs like Breaking Barriers and White Privilege, Black Power Experience, your administrative staff will learn by doing and still have fun in the process.
Is your team spread throughout the country or around the world? Programs like Virtual TeamBonding can still help you celebrate and learn.
Whether it be through learning, gifts, or experiences giving back to your team for Administrative Professionals’ Day will make them feel appreciated and create a better working environment. What are some of the unique ways that you celebrate Administrative Professionals’ Day?
Plays well with these activities...
