We often think of them as slave drivers or adversary’s with unrealistic expectations of what we can accomplish in a day, but do we ever stop to think about the work they put in to get new clients, keep old ones, and to ensure everything move along smoothly? Mostly not. 

Boss’ Day reminds us that it’s not all roses at the top of the pecking order either, so be sure to thank your boss for all they do!

Boss’ Day was created by Patricia Bays Haroski in 1958, when she registered it with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce while working as a secretary at State Farm Insurance. The date she selected was her father’s birthday, due in no small part to the fact that she was working for him at the time. She felt that the work her father did was rarely recognised and that employees rarely showed appreciation for these people who kept their workplaces moving smoothly. 

By 1979 it had grown popular enough that Hallmark Cards issued a Boss’ Day card to honour the holiday.

It continued to grow in popularity until recent years, when growing social awareness and class awareness has led to controversy about its celebration. There is a power differential between employees and employers, where the employer generally makes more money and has more power overall, and thus it has been argued that Boss’ Day should not be observed, and that any gift-giving in the workplace should flow down.

It’s an interesting debate, but we feel that it’s important to recognise that bosses are people too, and while they may be in a position of greater power, they also have greater responsibility, and their efforts are what ensure employment. Perhaps both boss and employee need to work together to create an environment of teamwork in the workplace, and Boss’ Day can be a good step in that direction.

Celebrate Boss’ Day by giving them a nice card, or just stop in and let them know how much you appreciate what they do. If you realise that you don’t really know what their work consists of or what demands are placed on them, Boss’ Day can also be a good opportunity to learn exactly what they do each day to keep your workplace moving smoothly.

www.daysoftheyear.com

SABC