Discover

(Redirected from Secretary\'s Day)
'Administrative Professionals Day®' formerly known as 'Secretaries' Day' is an unofficial secular holiday observed on the third or fourth Wednesday of April (i.e. April 26 2006; April 25 2007; April 23 2008), to recognize the work of secretaries, administrative assistants, executive assistants, office managers, receptionists, and other administrative support professionals. It is celebrated as part of Administrative Professionals Week®, which is observed annually during the last full calendar week of April. National Secretaries Week was created in 1952 through the work of Harry F. Klemfuss of Young & Rubicam, in conjunction with the National Secretaries Association, now known as the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). Klemfuss recognized the importance and value of the position to a company or business. His goal was to encourage more people to consider careers in the secretarial/administrative support field. Using his skill and experience in public relations, Klemfuss promoted the values and importance of the job of administrative assistants. In doing so, he also created the holiday in recognition of the importance of administrative assistants.
The official period of appreciation/"celebration" was first proclaimed by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Charles Sawyer as "National Secretaries Week," which was held June 1-7 in 1952, with Wednesday, June 4, 1952 designated National Secretaries Day. The first Secretaries' Day was held in that year by the International Association of Administrative Professionals, with the support of an association of corporate groups.
National Secretaries Week was created with two objectives in mind: 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."
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 wide-ranging job titles of administrative support staff.
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. In the United States, the day is often "celebrated" by giving one's assistant flowers, candy, small gifts, lunch at a restaurant, or time off. Some critics of the observance decry it as a Hallmark holiday, serving mainly to boost the greeting-card and hospitality industries.
The International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP), the sole official sponsor of Administrative Professionals Week and Administrative Professionals Day, suggests that 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.
Also see "Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Administrative Professionals Week/Day: http://www.iaap-hq.org/APW/Answers_FAQs_APW.htm
''Administrative Professionals Day®'' is a registered trademark with registration number 2,475,334 (serial number 75/898930). The registrant is the International Association of Administrative Professionals.

Contents

External links

External links

★ History and Info from the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP)

★ Recommendations to Employers, Supervisors For Celebrating Administrative Professionals Week, from IAAP