Secretaries Day | Administrative Professional’s Day

National Secretaries day also known as Admin Day, Administrative Professional’s Day, or Secretaries Day is celebrated in all government and private offices on Wednesday of the last full week of April i.e. Administrative Professional’s Week. It is an unofficial secular holiday observed in several countries to recognize the work of secretaries, administrative assistants, receptionists, and other administrative support professionals. Special events are marked for those who occupy secretarial posts.

It recognizes the work of clerical employees such as administrative assistants, receptionists, paralegals, etc. It is celebrated as part of a larger Administrative Professionals Week, which takes place during the last full week of April.

History of Secretaries day

National Professional Secretaries Week and National Secretary’s Day were created in 1952 through the work of Harry F. Klemfuss of Young and Rubicam. Klemfuss recognized the importance and value of the secretarial position, to a company or business and to management. His goal in creating this day was to encourage more women to become secretaries. (Nowadays, that would be both women and men). Using his skill and experience in public relations, Klemfuss, promoted the values and importance of the job that secretaries do. In doing so, he also created the holiday in recognition of the importance of secretaries.

The first Secretaries Day, was held on June 4, 1952. In 1955, the NSA (National Secretaries Association) changed the date of Secretaries Week to the last full week in April. This has become a permanent date for the observance of Secretaries Week, with Wednesday of that week designated Secretaries Day. In 1981, the word “Professional” was added to the name of Secretaries Day and Secretaries Week. Professional Secretaries International continues to be the sole sponsor of Professional Secretaries Week and Professional Secretaries Day.

The 48-year-old tradition of honoring administrative professionals during the last full week of April received a new name in 2000. Professional Secretaries Week has been renamed Administrative Professionals Week and Professional Secretaries Day became Administrative Professionals Day, effective with the April 23-29, 2000 observance, to keep pace with changing job titles and expanding responsibilities of today’s administrative workforce.

Research shows that many workers around the world still hold the “secretary” job title; however, many alternative titles have become more popular, such as administrative assistant, office coordinator, administrative specialist, executive assistant, and office manager.

While all secretaries are covered under the umbrella term “administrative professional,” not all admins hold the title of “secretary.” The name change to Administrative Professionals Week and Administrative Professionals Day expands the event to include other administrative job titles that also richly deserve recognition.

How and when Secretaries day is celebrated

In the United States, Canada, Hong Kong, India, Kenya, and Malaysia, it is celebrated annually on the Wednesday of the last full week of April. In New Zealand, it is celebrated on the third Wednesday of April. In Belgium, France, and the Netherlands, it is celebrated annually on the third Thursday of April. In Australia, it is celebrated annually on the first Friday of May. In South Africa, it is celebrated annually on the first Wednesday of September, while in Brazil it is celebrated annually on 9 September.

In the United States, the day is often celebrated by giving one’s assistant flowers, candy, or small gifts, or by taking him/her out to lunch. The holiday is criticized for being just another holiday created by the greeting card/gift industry to increase their sales between larger holidays.

Over the years, Administrative Professionals Week has become one of the largest workplace observances. The event is celebrated worldwide, bringing together millions of people for community events, educational seminars, and individual corporate activities recognizing support staff with gifts of appreciation. The employers observe Administrative Professionals Week by providing training for their administrative staff through seminars, continuing education, or self-study materials. Another suggestion is to make a commitment toward delegating responsibilities that better utilize the skills of administrative professionals. This day also provides a platform for motivating the officers and secretaries to work harder and provide information about employees to higher authorities. The day also provides a message to junior to prepare themselves harder to perform the tasks and reach new heights.

A number of special meetings are held in offices, speeches are given to boost the confidence of officers and secretaries. Awards and certificates are given for their extraordinary services and as a token of appreciation. A small get-together is held in offices to celebrate this day.

The day not only highlights the importance of Administrative Professionals in doing office works but also provides them with much-needed encouragement so that they keep up the good work.