Week honors business professionals

Kimberly Blair
@PensacolaNewsJournal.com

In observance of Administrative Professionals Week, Landrum Staffing Services in Pensacola has donated money to "Suit Yourself" in honor of the 200 secretaries currently in its employ.

"For many years we'd go through catalogs and have something made for administrative professionals," said Joni Humphreys, marketing and business development specialist for Landrum.

That practice was dropped five years ago after Landrum learned about the "Suit Yourself" ministry at Olive Baptist Church. The organization provides, for free, quality interview clothing, shoes, accessories, panty hose, ties, underwear, and even professional interview tips at no cost to men or women who are re-entering the work force and have not worked for a long time.

"Now we send out a letter to let our administrative professionals know how much we appreciate them and in honor of them we made a donation. It's an excellent way to go," she said.

Such a gesture is the type of thing International Association of Administrative Professionals suggests employers do to recognize the key support people in their business this week.

Instead of buying them flowers, candy, or giving them a plaque, the association suggests:

Have a companywide observance or special event for administrative staff, such as a presentation by a professional development speaker, or a group recognition of administrative professionals by the chief executive.

Provide registration for a professional development seminar to build the individual's technical, interpersonal or business skills.

Support membership in appropriate networking and professional associations.

Encourage study for and attainment of professional certification.

Observed since 1952, Administrative Professionals Week recognizes the 4.1 million employees who make up the largest segment of the office work force.Information

What: Administrative Professionals Week

When: April 18 through 24 with Administrative Professional Day observed Wednesday.

Detail: Visit www.iaap- hq.org/APW/apwindex.htm.