Before there was an Administrative Professionals Day, there was a National Secretaries Day, created in 1952. We’ve come a long way since then, and so have the job and celebration.

This national day of recognition, which falls on April 24 this year, has gone through several evolutions to reflect changing administrative titles and responsibilities in the modern workforce. While its moniker has changed, the purpose of Administrative Professionals Day remains the same: to celebrate and shed light on the many contributions of devoted and valued administrative professionals.

In today’s workplace, which includes a mix of remote, hybrid and in-office employees, recognizing the efforts of your support staff is more important than ever. Administrative professionals have proved instrumental to the teams they support, tackling new challenges and exhibiting grace under pressure while helping employees stay connected, engaged and productive.

Every year, Administrative Professionals Day falls on the Wednesday of the last full week of April. Mark these dates on your calendar:

2024: April 24

2025: April 23

2026: April 22

Many companies go beyond a single day to celebrate a full Administrative Professionals Week — and considering the amount of work these valuable colleagues do, it’s no wonder both managers and employees alike feel they merit special recognition.

Read the infographic text.

Are there team members you’d like to honor? Even with some employees working remotely, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the administrative professionals you regularly work with. The International Association of Administrative Professionals, one of the original sponsors of Administrative Professionals Day, offers a listing of events to celebrate your support team. 

The value of administrative professionals

Administrative roles are incredibly diverse — and they continue to evolve, with these professionals often going above and beyond their regular duties.

Administrative professionals provide real benefits to the teams they support and the organization at large, and their work should not go unnoticed. And given the important role many administrative staff play in contributing to today’s rapidly changing business environment, they deserve their time in the spotlight more than ever.

Sharing appreciation on Administrative Professionals Day and beyond

If you’re looking for ways to honor the members of your administrative teams, going the traditional route and sending a gift card is a solid choice. But if you’re searching for an alternative way to show your appreciation, try one of these ideas:

  • A kind word — A thank-you can go a long way, but don’t leave it at that. Let your administrative team know how their work has helped you or the department. Share praise from happy clients, celebrate achievements and recognize your workers publicly by acknowledging their contributions with peers. An even nicer touch is a verbal commendation followed by a thank-you card or e-card. Administrative professionals can keep these accolades, reminding them of how much they are appreciated.
  • Rest and relaxation— Administrative professionals work hard, and it can be difficult to find personal time to unwind. If policies allow, give them some flexibility to log off early to recharge. 
  • New opportunities — Show your administrative team members you’re invested in their future by offering new professional challenges and opportunities. If they are interested, ask them to oversee a project or encourage them to consider joining a mentorship program. A gesture like this will show that you value a team member’s contributions and career growth and have confidence in their skills and abilities.
  • Professional development — Offer reimbursement for professional organization memberships or online courses. Administrative professionals are eager to learn and expand their skills, and they need to stay abreast of the latest technologies and best practices in their field. When you encourage employees to grow in their careers, the result benefits the entire organization.

Your hardworking team will likely appreciate any act of gratitude, no matter how big or small. Even if you’re working with a limited budget, you can make an administrative professional’s day.

Get more suggestions on how to show appreciation for your employees all year long.

Read our tips on hiring a great executive assistant or administrative assistant now.