What to get Your Administrative Assistant

April 21, 2004 3:10 PM

D'oh! I goofed up. Today is Administrative Assistant's Day, and I completely spaced it out. Is there a graceful way to show my appreciation belatedly? [it gets worse inside]

My assistant does a great job and I feel terrible about not doing anything. Two weeks ago her birthday came and went, and again, I completely spaced it until it was too late. That makes twice in one month that I’ve blown it. I’d consider a gigantic bouqet of flowers, but I did that last year, and since I don’t get any points for timeliness I’d at least like to do something a little more thoughtful.

posted by ambrosia to shopping (23 comments total)

Whatever you do, it can't hurt to mention "I'm sorry I missed your birthday and AA day." But really, I don't think you need to hit the holiday to let her know you appreciate what she does. How about a bonus? :)
posted by scarabic at 3:15 PM on April 21, 2004

A gift certificate for a nice local spa as well as encouraging her to take off early to go take advantage of it.
posted by vacapinta at 3:22 PM on April 21, 2004

Money can solve all problems, no matter the cause. Otherwise, how about a long weekend?
posted by dg at 3:22 PM on April 21, 2004

This person is your assistant. It's their job to remember such things. I'd fire her for obvious incompetence.

Seriously.
Apologise, and then do what you would have done now. It'd be nice to know a little about the person before suggesting things. Where was her last holiday? What sort of things does she do when she's not working? How old is she? What sort of music does she like?

If she's good at her job, then do the gift & then the bonus.
posted by seanyboy at 3:24 PM on April 21, 2004

Does she enjoy music? Is an iPod mini too much?
posted by mathowie at 3:33 PM on April 21, 2004

A long weekend is probably the best gift of all. If you want to be really nice, you could pick up an airline ticket or two (if she has friends or family that you know of).
posted by Kwantsar at 3:38 PM on April 21, 2004

Where was her last holiday? What sort of things does she do when she's not working? How old is she? What sort of music does she like?

Is she Hot?
posted by Witty at 3:41 PM on April 21, 2004

Perhaps a gift certificate to a good restaurant?
posted by kickingtheground at 3:50 PM on April 21, 2004

How about a pay raise? That should make up for an awful lot.
posted by five fresh fish at 4:02 PM on April 21, 2004

Trust me, those of us who have been administrative assistants know how many brain farts bosses have on a regular basis. That's why they have administrative assistants. ;-)

Gift certificate to a restaurant would be good for the occasions-but if this person does great work on a regular basis, a bonus of some sort on a REGULAR day would say a lot.
posted by konolia at 4:19 PM on April 21, 2004

All good suggestions! She's 22 and lives with her parents, and as much as I'd love to give her a bonus, a raise or a day off, the Grinch above me on the food chain wouldn't approve. She does like to go to Vegas, however...maybe that's an idea.
posted by ambrosia at 4:20 PM on April 21, 2004

Give her a secret extra 5-7 days off, between the two of you--HR doesn't need to know.
posted by amberglow at 4:25 PM on April 21, 2004

administrative assistant's day? Hallmark really does run the US, doesn't it...
posted by twine42 at 4:33 PM on April 21, 2004

There are 12 people in the office, total. If she's not here, it's noticed. And the office manager seems to have it in for her, so the last thing I'd want to do is make trouble for her.

(and yes, in an office that small, it's astonishing that a junior woodchuck like me has an assistant all to herself, but that's a different thread.)
posted by ambrosia at 4:38 PM on April 21, 2004

Do you guys have unlimited sickdays?
posted by amberglow at 4:46 PM on April 21, 2004

Write her a poem.

But, if you're no Wordsworth, then a gift certificate from one of your local book / music stores should suffice.
posted by pemulis at 5:08 PM on April 21, 2004

If you take Matt's suggestion she will love you forever.
posted by anathema at 5:53 PM on April 21, 2004

I agree with Amberglow (to the degree it's practical). A day or two off (shhhh....).
posted by kamikazegopher at 8:41 PM on April 21, 2004

I'm going to second the spa idea...just thinking about a hot rock massage makes me feel all tingly. ;)
posted by dejah420 at 9:09 PM on April 21, 2004

cal the day off a research day. or go for the iPod.

(iPod is a bigger bang for the buck, certainly)
posted by mwhybark at 10:13 PM on April 21, 2004

Last year for Xmas my boss gave me a $500 spa gift certificate and a day off to use it - it certainly was the best present I've ever gotten from a boss. I used it on my bday and felt very pampered indeed. If a whole day off is likely to be noticed, make it a half day - many spa days don't start till noon anyway.

Flowers are nice, but have you considered taking her out to an expensive dinner? That's what my other boss does and I really enjoy it (he's a great guy). You'd probably be able to expense it, too. Or, if going together is not appropriate/comfortable, I'd recommend a gift certificate to the expensive restaurant. Don't be cheap on this one - she will appreciate it for a long, long time.
posted by widdershins at 8:14 AM on April 22, 2004

Does she enjoy music? Is an iPod mini too much?
posted by mathowie at 3:33 PM PST on April 21

My God, I wish I were your assistant.
posted by rhapsodie at 11:28 AM on April 22, 2004

My office took me out to an expensive lunch and then let me go home early, which worked really well.
posted by rhapsodie at 11:30 AM on April 22, 2004