National Bosses Day

We all have a boss.  It's a fact of life in the workplace and setting aside a time to say "thanks" for how that "person of influence" makes your work day a little more enjoyable is the purpose behind National Bosses Day, which this year is officially marked on October 17, the nearest workday to the date originally chosen for the event.

When then?  It turns out that October 16th (the '"official" day) was the birthday of Patricia Bays Haroski's father and Patricia, then working as a secretary for State Farm Insurance in Deerfield, Illinois, registered the event with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in 1958.

Since then, Patricia's idea - to show appreciation for her bosses that she thought they deserved - has caught on, and with it a strategy to attempt to improve intra-office relationships between managers and those they supervise.

Four years after the day was first organized, Illinois Governor Otto Kerner officially backed Patricia's registration and the day was proclaimed in that state.

Today, all over America, we do the same, with numerous opportunities now available to say "thanks" to those who help keep the workplace organized, a job that often goes unacknowledged.

One way to do so actually allows employees to also make an impact in their community at the same time they recognize their boss.  It involves making a gift card contribution through Charity Choice or Charity Impact, both of which use technology from National Gift Card, the world's leading provider of gift card services.

Whatever charity you choose, the impact - on the people you are helping and your boss, whose efforts to provide a satisfying work environment - will continue.

Happy National Bosses Day!