History of the celebration

In America

This annual event was originally organized in 1952 as "National Secretaries Week" by the National Secretaries Association (now known as the International Association of Administrative Professionals) in conjunction with public relations executive Harry Klemfuss and a consortium of office product manufacturers. It was established as an effort to recognize secretaries for their contributions in the workplace, and to attract people to secretarial/administrative careers. In the year 2000, IAAP announced a name change for Professional Secretaries Week and Professional Secretaries Day. The names were changed to Administrative Professionals Week and Administrative Professionals Day to keep pace with changing job titles and expanding responsibilities of today’s administrative workforce.

Over the years, Administrative Professionals Week has become one of the largest workplace observances. The event is celebrated worldwide, bringing together millions of people for community events, educational seminars, and individual corporate activities recognizing support staff with gifts of appreciation. Although the purpose of the celebration is sometimes altered, and even maligned, by other groups and individuals, a tremendous amount of publicity is obtained for the profession during this time.

In Australia

In Australia the celebration date is set by the Australian Institute of Office Professionals (AIOP), formerly the Institute of Professional Secretaries & Administrators (IPSA).  Originally held the last Friday in March, it was changed in the 1990's to bring it in line with the international celebration of Secretaries Week and the special day - Secretaries Day, held in April each year.   The name changed with the change in technology and in the US is now known as 'Administrative Professionals Day'; in Australia, 'National Office Professionals Day', 'Administrative Professionals Day' in New Zealand, whilst in the UK it is called 'Professional Secretaries Day'.   Because of clashes, however, with Easter, Anzac Day and school holidays in Australia, AIOP elected to change the date to the first Friday in May.

In Bangladesh

We will be observing our Secretaries Day on April 23 because Friday is our weekly holiday and all secretaries can attend this function.  We usually do this on Friday.

In South Africa

Secretaries Day in South Africa is held the first Wednesday in September every year so this year its to be held September 1st. Secretaries all over SA celebrate this day with breakfasts, lunches or functions, mostly the Boss spoils them on this special day with flowers and chocolates or
perfume and they are taken to lunch usually at one of the best restaurant in town. In SA this is celebrated as a very special day for Secretaries.

In the United Kingdom

OPW Office Professionals' Week©, celebrated all over the world, was initiated in America by the International Association for Administrative Professionals (IAAP), of which IQPS is an associate member. IQPS was responsible for introducing the celebration into the UK in the early eighties.

Office Professionals' Week takes place in the last week of April every year. This celebration, and particularly Office Professionals' Day, the last Wednesday in April, are recognised internationally. For further details about Office Professionals' Week, contact the IQPS Office on 0844 8000 182 or IQPS Ltd, Suite 464, 24-28 St Leonards Road, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 3BB.

Office Professionals' Week is one of the largest workplace celebrations. It brings together millions of office professionals worldwide for educational seminars, conferences and individual activities recognising the contribution of office professional.

2008 around the World

Australia - May 2
New Zealand - April 30
PNG - April 25
Pakistan - April 16
South Africa - Sept 3
Sri Lanka - May
UK - April 23
USA - April 23

Future Dates

Articles

Gifts and Flowers, etc.

History and other items

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Make sure you remember your admin support on the day that counts!