Charlotte admins speak out: The Do’s and Don’ts of Administrative Professionals Day
If you have an assistant or secretary in your office, today’s the day to show them some love. Not creepy, get-fired love. But appreciation. It’s Administrative Professionals Day!
After surveying a few local administrative assistants, we’re here to give you some Do’s & Don’ts for properly honoring the day:
Food
DO give your admin a “Dinner & A Movie” gift certificate package. But please make sure it’s enough to cover a meal for two. If you don’t know his/her favorite restaurant, consider a gift card that applies to multiple eateries. (Locally, we love the Harper’s restaurant group: Harper’s, Mimosa Grill and Upstream.)
1/2 off all glass wines at Carolina Place today!! Try our new Mighty Meatball pizza!! pic.twitter.com/cOnKRpHB5w
— Harper’s Restaurants (@HarpersCLT) April 16, 2015
DON’T take your admin to lunch and pick up the bill. The last thing an assistant wants is to spend more time with the boss. Even if you are picking up the bill.
Work “lunch” at 11 am because my boss was hungry early. Really….? — Anafielle (@Anafielle) December 5, 2014
One caveat to that …
DON’T take your admin to a restaurant down Independence Boulevard if you only have an hour. You’ll never get back in time.
Shop local
DO buy your admin a Panthers jersey. Who doesn’t love the Panthers?
DON’T give your admin your old Greg Hardy jersey.
Specialty gifts
DO give them a nice arrangement of chocolates and/or candies or flowers. Sure, it’s cliche, but it’s still nice. When does anybody ever just give you chocolates or flowers?
You can’t go wrong with the $20 or $10 bouquet sold on Tryon Street in uptown.
DON’T give them anything relating to office work
You might think an assistant wants a fancier stapler, futuristic 3-hole puncher or a brand new pen holder. But the last thing he or she wants is to be reminded of the office.
Getaways
DO give them a day at the spa.
DON’T give them a 4-day vacation to Hawaii.
Unless you’re a big honcho and your assistant works around the clock, you don’t have to break the bank. In fact, an over-gift will probably make them feel awkward.
Events
DO give them free tickets to the Knights. And a gift card to buy some craft brew. It’s an awesome evening out, and games sell out quickly — especially Friday nights with fireworks.
1 year ago today, BB&T Ballpark opened for the 1st time. Since then, we have welcomed over 700,000 fans. #ThankYou pic.twitter.com/p6ECDLJi4F
— Charlotte Knights (@KnightsBaseball) April 11, 2015
DON’T give them tickets to your kid’s t-ball game.
Photos: AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Davie Hinshaw/Charlotte Observer, David T. Foster III/Charlotte Observer
This story was originally published April 21, 2015 at 2:30 PM with the headline "Charlotte admins speak out: The Do’s and Don’ts of Administrative Professionals Day."