Admin Professionals Day gift ideas

[ZebraStripes]

Are you an admistrative assistant? What type of gift would you like to receive from your boss or your company?

Here's the story. We have about 70 admins world-wide. We are often overlooked and left out. Moral is not the best. The management wants to make an honest effort this year to say "you've worked hard, you've been through a lot, we really do appreciate all that you do". Management wants to give a gift between $50-$100. We are looking for something unique. Maybe something they don't already have, or wouldn't buy for themselves. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[MHopkins2]

How about a gift certificate plus the time off to use it? E.g., one round of golf or a manicure/pedicure combo (both should fit under the $100 limit), plus 1/2 day "free" vacation.

 

[mickeyfan1]

I was an admin for many years. Your management is being really nice to give a gift! Because everyone has different tastes, the best thing for me would be an AMEX gift cheque. They are as good as cash, and can be used everywhere. Althought now that I have reread your post, I see it's world wide, so that could be another problem. What I hated getting was company logo merchandise (usually useless crap), and being told I had to go out to lunch with my direct supervisor, who had no people skills, and constantly told me "I am too busy, and I have to push this work DOWN to you". I do understand the morale thing, it is an often thankless job.

 

[MHopkins2]

Originally posted by mickeyfan1
What I hated getting was company logo merchandise (usually useless crap)

Amen to that! Great, another tchochke to sit on my shelf, or a fugly shirt three sizes too big. Whee!

 

[2bemarried]

I've been an admin for 8 years. Believe me...I've had my fair share of horrible and wonderful bosses. I think the absolute best gift I have ever received came from my current boss. He knows that I love movies and music so his wife created a movie basket for me with drinks, popcorn, and blockbuster gift cards. He also takes me out to lunch for a combo birthday/admin day celebration since they're both this month.

I think your management staff should reward each admin according to what she likes. You could pick 4 items and from each choose which would best fit each person. One admin may love flowers, while another hates them. Or one admin loves a massage but the one beside her would rather go rock climbing. I think mainly the admins just want to be appreciated and actually believe that the management considered her likes and dislikes when buying the gift instead of just picking one thing and having someone else make sure it's all ordered and delivered. Hope that helps you with the selection.

 

[ZebraStripes]

Originally posted by MHopkins2
Amen to that! Great, another tchochke to sit on my shelf, or a fugly shirt three sizes too big. Whee!

Exactly what we are trying to avoid!! We've got cabinets full of mugs, drawers full of T-shirts, pens, magets, etc.

Personally, I'd like to see a comp day. Something we never have enough of....vacation days!

 

[tiggerlover]

I'm an administrative manager by trade (currently working out of my field) and my favorite Professional's Day gifts were gift certificates for a salon for a manicure or pedicure, a gift certificate to a favorite restaurant and flowers. Any gift is nice, but those above are most appreciated.

 

[ZebraStripes]

Well, I should have seen this coming. HR now tells us...oh, no, you can't spend that much. It wouldn't be right to spend that much when other groups don't. It would cause "issues". Ok, so now I should be thinking, its the thought that counts. I should be happy they will do anything at all. But, yet again, we are being told, we are not worthy. Its ok to spend millions on higher level staff, but admins, nope, no can do. If I sound ungrateful, I do apologize. I have a good job, I like my job, I'm well paid, my boss is good to me. Its just that admins just don't get the respect they should here.

End of rant. I feel better!

 

[MHopkins2]

Originally posted by ZebraStripes
Well, I should have seen this coming. HR now tells us...oh, no, you can't spend that much. It wouldn't be right to spend that much when other groups don't. It would cause "issues". Ok, so now I should be thinking, its the thought that counts. I should be happy they will do anything at all. But, yet again, we are being told, we are not worthy. If I sound ungrateful, I do apologize. I have a good job, I like my job, I'm well paid, my boss is good to me. Its just that admins just don't get the respect they should here.

End of rant. I feel better!

Unfortunately, I can't say I'm surprised. But you could still try for the comp time, which has only minimal additional cost for the company, as long as they don't have to bring in temps while you're gone.

 

[ZebraStripes]

Originally posted by MHopkins2
Unfortunately, I can't say I'm surprised. But you could still try for the comp time, which has only minimal additional cost for the company, as long as they don't have to bring in temps while you're gone.

It seems comp time would cause even more "unfairness" issues.

(Rose-colored glasses being tossed in the trash)

 

[mickeyfan1]

Originally posted by ZebraStripes
Well, I should have seen this coming. HR now tells us...oh, no, you can't spend that much. It wouldn't be right to spend that much when other groups don't. It would cause "issues". Ok, so now I should be thinking, its the thought that counts. I should be happy they will do anything at all. But, yet again, we are being told, we are not worthy. If I sound ungrateful, I do apologize. I have a good job, I like my job, I'm well paid, my boss is good to me. Its just that admins just don't get the respect they should here.

End of rant. I feel better!

I feel your pain. It amazes me that all the "workers" in my office would get awards (monetary) all the time, the sales people in the comany would get to go on trips to celebrate their success, the upper level managers would get the bonuses at evauation time, but the ones who di it all, the admins, got nothing. There was never any consideration of the fact that we do the payroll, we prepare the expence vouchers, we do all the catering arrangements for the silly meetings, we take care of all the questions about benefits, we do all the inhouse training onnew corporate systems, but we don't contribute to the company directly. We don't write programs, or sell stuff, or fix things. so we don't count. But let one of the admins be out for surgery, or child birth, and then the office goes to hell. But still, no way to compensate you for your "normal work". I was told more than once, it's your job, you are supposed to do everything. Why should you get recognized for doing your job?

Hmmmm, and I have been away for 9 months. It still bugs me.

 

[MHopkins2]

Originally posted by ZebraStripes
It seems comp time would cause even more "unfairness" issues.

(Rose-colored glasses being tossed in the trash)

Boogers. Did they give you a new dollar limit?

 

[ZebraStripes]

Originally posted by MHopkins2
Boogers. Did they give you a new dollar limit?

Sure...$30

mickeyfan1...I have to admit, I do those things, and yes, I do get compensated for it. But, I'm the exception. I see other who do all those things, then get hassled when they want to take a day off to destress. I see the admins who endure not nice bosses, I see admins cry because of nasty behavior, I've seen admins be scared to voice their concerns. I've been there, I have it good now. I want these admin to have it as good as I have it. I feel their pain and I want it better for them. I'm at the top of the admin pile in my group. I thought I could make a difference in quality of life for them. I think I'm failing.

 

[coliebird]

I would just like to be acknowledged for the work I do. A good job or thanks would be nice. Honestly, in this place AA day comes and goes and nobody notices and I will not remind people. I know it sounds like I work in a horrible place, but it's really not. They are really good to me about taking time when my daughter is sick and my boss paid me my full salary for 3 months maternity leave so I truly cannot complain, plus I am DISing at work right now. As long as my work is done I am pretty much free to do what I want, but still a "job well done" would be good.

 

[TerriP]

The official policy where I work is that we are not "allowed" to celebrate Admin. Assistant Day/ Secretary's Day...whatever you would like to call it. If, however, we want to celebrate Boss's Day, that is fine.

Anyone want to guess how often we celebrate Boss's Day???

 

[ZebraStripes]

Originally posted by TerriP
The official policy where I work is that we are not "allowed" to celebrate Admin. Assistant Day/ Secretary's Day...whatever you would like to call it. If, however, we want to celebrate Boss's Day, that is fine.

Anyone want to guess how often we celebrate Boss's Day???

Please tell me you are kidding.

 

[TerriP]

Unfortunately, I am not.

 

[Otto's Doll]

I have been at the same place for 4.5 years now. I generally receive flowers, and I have also gotten $50 gift certificates for different local restaurants, generally ones I wouldn't choose, but have really enjoyed. (I wouldn't choose them, because they are usually above my budget and we usually have the kids when we go out.) DH and I use these certificates for lunch - and usually get to go twice. (I also work for a boss who tells me all the time how valuable I am, and that is such a boost. A personal note thanking them would go a long way toward building morale.)

 

[Bichon Barb]

When I was a legal assistant ten years ago, the entire support staff would take an extended lunch at a fine restaurant on the firm's credit card. After a couple of mamosa's or glasses of wine, we usually didn't make it back to the office. Of course, there were always a couple of martyrs who had something VERY important to attend to and went back--making the rest of us look bad.

But as far as gifts go, the individual attorneys would give gifts to their secretaries. Cold cash was always my personal favorite.

Now all I get from the boss is sexual harrassment. (I work with my DH. )

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

Our bosses (two for three of us) traditionally take us to lunch, and usually give an individual, personal gift as well. . . . Simply "let me know you appreciate the work I do."
Some gift ideas: a nice pen, gift certificate to a nice restaurant, flower arrangement, gift basket (snacks, fruit, bath & body). Keep it simple, try to be personal.