Administrative Professionals Day 2023: We celebrate National Administrative Professionals Day on April 26. This celebration is always held on the Wednesday of the final complete week of April. Even though it is not a federal holiday, this day is still significant and there is much to celebrate. This holiday has its own episode of “The Office.”
WHEN IS ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS DAY 2023?
Administrative Professionals Day is observed annually on the last Wednesday of April. Administration is an absolute necessity for sustaining office decorum and ensuring smooth daily operations.
HISTORY OF ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS DAY
A paucity of administrative professionals existed during World War II. This was due to the decline in birthrate during the Great Depression and the flourishing post-war economy. The National Secretaries Association was founded in 1942 to recognise the contributions of administrative personnel to the economy, promote their professional development, and recruit individuals into the field. National Administrative Professionals Day was established in their first year as an organisation. The president of the association, Mary Barrett, and the president of the Dictaphone Corporation, C., were instrumental in the day’s establishment. King Woodbridge and the Young & Rubicam public relations account executives Harry F. Klemfuss and Daren Ball.
The United States established the designated moment of celebration. Secretary of Commerce Charles W. Sawyer proclaimed June 1 through June 7 National Secretaries Week. In 1955, Secretaries Week was relocated to the last full week of April, with Administrative Professionals Day celebrated on Wednesday. In 1981, the name was changed to Professional Secretaries Week, but in 2000, it was renamed Administrative Professionals Week to encompass the diverse responsibilities and job titles of administrative employees in the contemporary economy. The day has gone through numerous name changes, but its original purpose of celebrating and recognising administrative professionals’ hard work has remained.
DIFFERENT ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS JOBS
In reality, the term ‘administrative professional’ is more of an umbrella term that encompasses a variety of positions. With close to a hundred jobs falling under the title of administrative professional, it is conceivable that a person specialising in one of these fields is unaware that they are administrative. The International Association of Administrative Professionals defines administrative professionals as individuals who are accountable for administrative tasks and the coordination of information to support an office environment, and who are committed to advancing their professional development. Administration encompasses a vast array of responsibilities, including office administration, phone answering, clerical work, client communication, data entry, and record maintenance.
Below is a list of only seven job titles that fell under the administrative professional category.
Administrative Assistant – From answering phones to performing various clerical tasks, an administrative assistant is responsible for ensuring the smooth operation of an office. Some assistants may be more specialised than others, particularly if they work in a specialised profession such as the legal, medical, or educational sectors. A legal administrative assistant may require a comprehensive comprehension of legal terminology and procedures, whereas a medical assistant may need to be exceptionally well-versed in medical jargon when reading reports and must be knowledgeable when dealing with insurance companies. In these situations, it is preferable for the administrative assistant to have some training in the particular profession, as they will need to understand the various types of work and clients they will be logging and communicating with.
General administrative assistant responsibilities include bookkeeping, planning and scheduling, and documentation. Typically, assistants are responsible for monitoring expenditures; therefore, they must be familiar with creating spreadsheets in office accounting software. Administrative assistants are frequently tasked with planning board meetings and luncheons. This necessitates that they be prepared to investigate vendor prices and feel comfortable inquiring about participant availability.
Human Resource Administrator – A human resource administrator (also known as HR) manages a company’s employees and helps the company achieve a competitive edge. People with this job title are primarily concerned with maintaining primary policies and maximising employee performance. The purpose of human resources is to ensure the prosperity of an organisation through its employees. They are experts in employee sourcing, recruitment, training, and development, as well as maintaining benefits. In ventures and small businesses, HR duties are typically performed by trained professionals, whereas in larger organisations, there is typically a group of HR professionals who specialise in various HR tasks and participate in business-wide decision-making. During the industrial revolution in Europe in the eighteenth century, Robert Owen and Charles Babbage conceived the concept that human resource management would become a viable career path. The two realised how important individual employees were to the success of a company, emphasising that employee happiness lead to flawless work. Human resources became a distinct career path in the early 20th century, influenced by Frederick Winslow Taylor’s’scientific management,’ or Taylorism, which aimed to increase the economic efficiency of manufacturing employment.
Secretary – Some companies use the terms ‘administrative assistant’ and’secretary’ interchangeably, but the vast majority of businesses consider them to be entirely distinct positions, with administrative assistants having a greater degree of responsibility. A secretary’s responsibilities include assisting management and executives with project management, communication, and organisational skills. The secretary’s duties are comparable to those of the administrative assistant in that she also assists with budget management, bookkeeping, answering phone calls, and preparing expense reports.
Bill and Account Collectors – Bill and account collectors administer and maintain the company’s finances. They receive payments, record financial data, arrange payment for past-due bills, and assist consumers in locating options for paying past-due bills. Generally, they contact debtors via telephone, but occasionally they do so via mail. The collector’s primary responsibility is not to frighten a debtor into paying, but rather to find a solution that is both acceptable and realistic for the debtor, while maximising payment to the creditor. The majority of bill and account collectors work for a collection agency rather than in-house. However, large creditors such as credit card companies and healthcare providers frequently employ in-house debt collectors who operate around the clock with their extensive debtor list.
Office Manager – Office management entails the implementation, maintenance, evaluation, and design of an office’s work processes in order to sustain and increase efficiency and productivity. It is a part of the overall administration of the business and the management function as its components include forecasting and planning, command, control, and coordination, as well as organising. This profession requires the skill of planning, organising, coordinating, and regulating office activities with a comprehensive and exhaustive view to achieve business objectives pertaining to the effective and efficient operation of the office space. The efficacy of a business’s office is crucial to its success. A manager of an office is responsible for monitoring and evaluating systems that are typically geared towards improving timeframes, turnover, output, and sales, among other outcomes. They may also supervise or manage a team of administrators, distributing responsibilities, overseeing training and recruitment, and distributing tasks and projects.
Receptionists are frequently the initial point of contact for clients and consumers. They answer the phone, greet consumers, and respond to common inquiries about the company. Their duties are typically performed in the waiting area of a business, such as the foyer or front desk. Receptionist responsibilities include responding to visitors’ questions about a company’s products, directing them to their destinations, gathering and distributing mail, filing, scheduling appointments, entering data, and performing various other office tasks. In some offices, receptionists serve visitors tea and coffee and maintain the lobby’s cleanliness. Sometimes receptionists function as security guards by verifying employee identification, issuing visitor passes, and observing and reporting suspicious behaviour.
Director of Administration – A director of administration oversees the administrative operations of a business. The duties performed by an administrative director vary from company to company, but in general, administrative directors supervise and lead administrative departments such as finance, human resources, and materials administration.
Since administrative directors provide leadership for a wide range of administrative departments, they must have a broad understanding of how these departments operate and interact. These professionals devise company-wide policies and initiatives, manage the flow of personnel and funds into each administrative department, and serve as the ultimate authority over the administrative workforce as a whole. In addition, they serve as the primary point of contact for landlords, vendors, and other contract partners, and they provide operational guidance. They are responsible for the budgets and employment of administrative departments.
401(k) Administrator – Participation in a 401(k) is simple for many employees. To make things appear simple, however, there is a great deal going on behind the scenes, from day-to-day administration to compliance requirements. This is the role of 401(k) administrators. An administrator is tasked with managing all aspects of plan administration and may be a company employee or a third party.
To begin, terminology. The responsibility of a 401(k) administrator is to manage an employer’s retirement plan. Given the extensive list of responsibilities and liability risks, this responsibility is frequently delegated to a third-party administrator (TPA) such as LT Trust.
401(k) plans are managed by plan administrators behind the scenes. The administrator is available from the outset to assist your company structure its offerings. Will you provide traditional and Roth 401(k) plans? Who is qualified for participation? Depending on the extent of their involvement, an administrator may also provide guidance on plan design to ensure that your 401(k) is competitive and compliant. This may also involve designing a profit sharing and/or employee matching programme with your company.
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HOW TO BECOME AN ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONAL
Education and skill levels of administrative professionals may vary depending on the field in which they operate. While some offices may only require a GED, more specialised fields may require a degree related to the department to ensure that administrative staff is familiar with department-specific terminology, practises, and situational expectations.
Legal – An administrative professional working in the legal field should have knowledge of legal procedures. Legal administrative professionals must therefore have a certificate or an associate’s degree in criminal justice, law, or paralegal studies.
Medical – Individuals aspiring to become a healthcare administrator, manager, or executive must first satisfy a few fundamental educational prerequisites. Healthcare administrators are required to have at least a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in healthcare administration, where they study topics like healthcare finance and ethics, public health, quality management, and healthcare marketing. However, many employers favour hiring healthcare administrators with a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration or Master of Healthcare Administration.
Education – Working as a school administrator is a demanding, hectic, but incredibly rewarding profession. An administrator in the field of education may serve at a private or public elementary, secondary, or postsecondary institution. Administrators of elementary and secondary schools must complete a certification programme in order to be certified in their respective states as educational administrators. In most schools, it is also anticipated that teachers will complete a master’s degree programme to become administrators. A degree and teacher preparation programme, a state teaching licence, at least two years of teaching experience, a master’s degree in education administration, and a state administrator’s licence are the typical requirements.
ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS DAY VS. NATIONAL RECEPTIONISTS DAY
The 13th of May is both Administrative Professionals Day and National Receptionists Day. What is the difference? Well, it’s comparable to the distinction between bread and sourdough or music and alternative rock: receptionists are administrative professionals, but administrative professionals are not necessarily receptionists. Get it? Administrative Professionals Day includes a variety of positions, including secretaries, HR professionals, special events coordinators, bill collectors, support analysts, and receptionists.
On Administrative Professionals Day, everyone from data entry clerks to administrative directors is honoured. Administrative workers at all levels are recognised for their efforts behind and in front of the scenes, ensuring that the company runs efficiently and assisting their colleagues in any way possible.
On National Receptionists Day, we honour the individuals who make initial contact with clients and consumers, representing the face of their companies. They keep clients and consumers satisfied and calm regardless of the chaos occurring behind the scenes, and frequently accept responsibility for unavoidable circumstances. These administrative professionals have an entire day to themselves because they are hard employees whose difficult work is often overlooked.
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ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS DAY TRADITIONS
There are no national traditions associated with Administrative Professionals Day, but that doesn’t mean we can’t establish our own office traditions. A small annual tribute to the employees who work tirelessly to keep the business operating smoothly is the least we can do to show our appreciation and acknowledge how much we would miss them. So, from our minds to yours, here are some office traditions we believe you should consider instituting.
Note-Sticky Greeting
This is guaranteed to place a smile on their faces first thing in the morning. Have everyone in the office write encouraging and appreciative messages on sticky notes and leave them all over the desks of your administrative staff so they can find them in the morning and see that their coworkers appreciate the daily effort they put into their jobs. Sometimes administration can feel like a thankless position, but knowing that your coworkers recognise and appreciate you makes it all worthwhile.
Free (Quality) Coffee
We all need coffee to shake off our morning grogginess and get into a work-focused mindset. On this day, everyone should arrive at work a bit early to surprise their administrative coworkers with a cup of coffee from a coffee store rather than the break-room vending machine. Give them a cup of the good stuff to demonstrate that they are also excellent stuff.
Unique Happy Hour
There is no better way to spend time with coworkers and express your appreciation than by purchasing them a few drinks and engaging in office-related banter. Tell your administrative team to leave their purses in their pockets, as tonight is all about them and they will not be required to pay. Unless, of course, they request the most expensive item on the menu.
ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS DAY BY THE NUMBERS
- The estimated number of administrative professionals employed in the United States is 22 million.
- The average purchasing decision made by administrative professionals is valued at $20,000.
- The percentage of administrative specialists who have been with their organisation for more than six years is 42%.
- The percentage of female administrative professionals is 85%.
- The average age of an administrative professional is 40 years old.
- 45 percent – the proportion of administrative professionals who are also human resources specialists.
- The proportion of administrative personnel who feel valued is 78%.
- The position of Andrea from “The Devil Wears Prada” as the most popular administrative professional on television.
- The assessment of Pam from “The Office” as the most popular administrative professional on television.
- 25% of administrative professionals favour the designation Executive Assistant.
HOW TO CELEBRATE ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS DAY 2021
Invite them to brunch
Spend some time becoming acquainted with your administrative staff. Ensure that their labour is recognised.
Give them a present.
Administration does a great deal more than meets the eye, so demonstrate your appreciation for everything they do.
Valorize them
A simple expression of appreciation and comprehension goes far. Be sure to thank your administration team verbally and observe their features light up.
5 FACTS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT NATIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS DAY
Some individuals believe it’s fabricated
Some people believe that Hallmark devised this holiday to sell cards and gifts.
It was stereotypically female
People complained that the holiday was only for women because the gifts were extremely feminised.
There were more complaints.
The purpose of this holiday is to unite the office and help you comprehend the roles and responsibilities of your coworkers, contrary to popular belief.
Men serve as aides.
There are many male secretaries, despite the common perception that secretarial labour is a “woman’s job.”
Beyond simply answering the phone
In addition to answering the phone, administrative employees are responsible for general management, speaking with clients, clerical work, and other essential office support.
WHY WE LOVE ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS DAY
They exert effort
They perform a great deal of administrative tasks that contribute to a cohesive and functional office.
Enhance the workplace environment.
In addition to bringing a bright and positive energy to the office, they also serve to bring order to an otherwise chaotic office environment.
They merit more admiration
The majority of their labour passes unnoticed, but it is absolutely necessary for the office to function.
ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | April 21 | Wednesday |
| 2022 | April 27 | Wednesday |
| 2023 | April 26 | Wednesday |
| 2024 | April 24 | Wednesday |
| 2025 | April 23 | Wednesday |
| 2026 | April 22 | Wednesday |
| 2027 | April 21 | Wednesday |
| 2028 | April 26 | Wednesday |
| 2029 | April 25 | Wednesday |
