National Boss Day 2010 is being celebrated on Oct. 15, due to the 16th falling on a Saturday. The "holiday" is meant to give employees an opportunity to thank bosses, supervisors, managers, etc. for their kindness and fair-mindedness. If you are the person in charge or are self-employed, there are still ways you can celebrate Boss Day.
National Bosses Day was founded in 1958, when Patricia Bays Haroski registered the holiday with the Chamber of Commerce of the United States. She was an employee at the State Farm Insurance Company in Deerfield, Illinois, and had forgotten her boss's birthday. Since her boss was her father, she picked his Oct. 16 birthday as Bosses Day. Then Illinois Governor Otto Kerner proclaimed National Bosses Day into existence in 1963. Now the "holiday" is celebrated around the world.
When the day falls on a weekend, it is celebrated on the closest weekday. That is why the holiday is being observed on Oct. 15 in 2010.
National Boss Day When You Are the Boss
If you are the boss or supervisor on the receiving end of thank-yous today, don't think you don't have any obligations on National Boss Day. Haroski also founded the day to improve supervisor/employee relationships and raise awareness to younger workers the challenges a boss goes through.
So when an employee thanks you or gives a gift, be sure to acknowledge and thank them in return. Let the employee know a difficult aspect of being a boss and how they help make it easier. It can be as simple as "Thanks for always coming in on time, it's a lot easier to focus on X when I don't have to deal with Y."
Just be sure you say something fairly unique, or at least worded differently to each employee. You don't want them to discover the boss gave them all the same rehearsed speech.
Bosses Day for Self-Employed
If you're like me and self-employed, you may think there isn't a supervisor to thank on National Boss Day. Wrong. I am setting aside an hour to go over what I have achieved in the past year and how I did it. I will recognize my accomplishments and think back on goals I set and how I accomplished them. Was I fair to myself in expectations? Kind to myself if any weren't met? Think about how, as your own boss, you made your business happen.
It may not be a fancy lunch or Hallmark card, but it is important to acknowledge what you do as a boss. I also plan on taking half the day off as a present to myself. I'm self-employed. I can do that.
What If No Employees Thank You on National Boss Day?
If none of the people you supervise come to thank you on Bosses Day, don't get bent out of shape. It doesn't mean you are a horrible or under-appreciated supervisor. It certainly isn't that mainstream of a holiday that everyone is aware of it. Besides, you're the boss. You know your workers are busy.
If you're still looking for a treat on National Boss Day, head to TGI Friday's. The restaurant is offering a special for bosses and non-bosses. With the purchase of an entree, those in charge get $10 off their meal. Employees are offered their petite sirloin menu item for $7.99.
A coupon must be presented when you order. Boss Day coupons can be found and printed at TGI Friday's Facebook page or website.
Sources:
National Boss Day, Calendar-Updates.com
Fridays.com
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