Week honors professionals

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Administrative Professionals Week, formerly known as Professional Secretaries Week, is being observed April 22-28 this year. Statistics from the International Association of Administrative Professionals show that more than 4.8 million administrative professionals work in the United States. |ret||ret||tab|

A news release from the IAAP said that administrative professionals have several different job titles that cover a wide range of duties. |ret||ret||tab|

Those titles include administrative assistant, coordinator, office manager, executive assistant, secretary, legal secretary, associate, supervisor and clerical supervisor. |ret||ret||tab|

The observance of Administrative Professionals Week recognizes the increasing professional contributions of administrative professional staff in the workplace. |ret||ret||tab|

The week-long observance began in 1952. |ret||ret||tab|

An online poll conducted by the IAAP on its Web site shows that most administrative professionals prefer observances of the week that are geared toward professional education or group recognition.|ret||ret||tab|

The IAAP offers the following suggestions on commemorating the week:|ret||ret||tab|

Provide registration for a professional development seminar to build the administrative professional's technical, interpersonal or business skills.|ret||ret||tab|

Update computer hardware or software, or purchase ergonomically correct furniture and accessories. |ret||ret||tab|

Purchase a subscription to a professional magazine geared toward today's office staff.|ret||ret||tab|

Support membership in appropriate networking and professional organizations.|ret||ret||tab|

Encourage study for and attainment of professional certificates.|ret||ret||tab|

IAAP gift suggestions for the administrative professional include business-related items such as personalized business cards, a desktop nameplate, a gift certificate for business items, desktop reference tools or a monetary bonus for exemplary performance.|ret||ret||tab|

The IAAP suggests that employers visit the administrative professionals at their company to determine gift and observance preferences.[[In-content Ad]]