In any business, regardless of its sector of activity, administrative staff play an indispensable role. They perform a multitude of tasks essential to the smooth running of the company: organizing meetings, managing documents, processing data and much more. Yet, very often, the work of these employees goes unnoticed. Fortunately, Administrative Support Staff Week exists to honor them and highlight the importance of their contribution.
What is Administrative Support Staff Week?
Administrative Support Staff Week, formerly known as Secretaries' Week, aims to recognize the major impact of all administrative staff members (secretaries, agents, assistants, technicians, etc.). It takes place each year during the last full week of April.
While some companies don't dedicate an entire week to highlighting the contributions of their administrative support staff, most do mark International Administrative Professionals Day, which falls on Wednesday of the same week. You guessed it: this day used to be called International Secretaries' Day.
5 Ideas to Celebrate Administrative Support Staff Week
Administrative Support Staff Week, along with other theme weeks related to a profession in your organization, should be included in your annual recognition calendar. Here are some effective ideas to make it a success.
1. Personalized thank you message
Chances are, your administrative support staff are responsible for writing the majority of your internal and external communications. As Administrative Support Staff Week approaches, offering them a sincere and personalized thank-you note is a particularly meaningful gesture.
If your company has a lot of employees, you probably don’t have the time to handwrite a greeting card for each person. Accolad can make it easier by sending a personalized thank you message to all your employees. Each employee will receive an email with your message, addressed directly to their name. Plus, you have the option to add a graphic with your logo in the email. Accolad can even take care of creating this graphic for you.
2. Moment of respite
In addition to juggling multiple tasks and frequently working under pressure, administrative staff often have to deal with frequent external interruptions (a colleague who comes to ask a question about a file, a phone call from a supplier, etc.). However, in her book Le stress au travail vs le stress du travail, Sonia Lupien explains that these interruptions considerably increase employee stress.
To recognize your administrative staff and reduce the risk of burnout, it may be wise to offer them a moment of rest. Why not organize a relaxation workshop in the office, allow them to leave early or even telework? These simple actions not only reduce stress and fatigue for your employees, but also show how much their work is appreciated.
3. Public recognition
Public recognition is a powerful way to show your employees that you value their work and efforts. During Administrative Support Staff Week, take the time to publicly thank your administrative team, whether through company communication channels, at a meeting, or on your recognition platform.
If you run a large company, encourage every manager to do the same for their team members. A special mention during a coffee break, for example, can make all the difference.
4. Gift card
Perfect for rewarding your staff in person or remotely, a gift card allows the person receiving it to choose what they want. It is undeniably the most popular gift.
For a guaranteed home run, opt for the Accolad universal gift card. Exchangeable for a wide variety of gift cards from Quebec, Canadian and American brands, it allows you to meet all expectations. This way, the members of your administrative team can treat themselves with a gift card from a spa, a hotel, a fine food store or a company that offers experiences.
5. Specific training
To celebrate Administrative Support Staff Week, have you considered offering training to your employees? When you invest in the development of your staff, you show that you believe in their potential and recognize the value of their work.
Training courses designed specifically for administrative staff, such as those offered by Événements Les Affaires and the Association du personnel de soutien administratif du Québec (APSAQ), are particularly interesting. Educational institutions also generally have a continuing education department that can help you find the ideal training or even design customized training for your team.
Accolad, a perfect ally for a successful Administrative Support Staff Week
As a leader in business recognition solutions, Accolad offers a variety of options to show your gratitude to your employees in a personalized way.
Whether you opt for a turnkey service or for the purchase of universal gift cards, you are sure to please your employees.
Contact an expert today to learn more.