Ali + Julie
Co-Founders, GroupTogether.
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The Recognition Gap: What Admin Professionals Really Think—and Why It Matters
Administrative Professionals are the backbone of every organization—keeping calendars running smoothly, managing chaos with grace, and often doing it all behind the scenes. But how do they really feel about the appreciation they receive? To find out, GroupTogether surveyed 457 admin professionals across the U.S. ahead of Administrative Professionals Day 2025. The results are eye-opening—and a wake-up call for every company that wants to build a more inclusive and appreciative workplace.
By Ali + Julie
April 21, 2025
Administrative professionals are the quiet engines of every organization—booking meetings, handling logistics, smoothing over chaos, and making sure the rest of us can do our jobs. But despite how essential they are, many admins say they feel overlooked and underappreciated.
Ahead of Administrative Professionals Day (April 23), GroupTogether surveyed 457 admin professionals across the U.S. to find out how they really feel about recognition at work. The results? Striking, and honestly hard to ignore.
From feeling invisible to receiving inconsistent or impersonal appreciation, the message was clear: admin professionals deserve better. Here’s what we found and what it means for teams that truly want to support the people who support everyone else.
Here’s what we found:
1. The Recognition Gap Is Real
66% of administrative professionals say their contributions are underrecognized and underappreciated at work.
These are the people who keep the wheels turning. They remember the little things that make a workplace feel human. And yet, the vast majority feel unseen and undervalued. In an age where employee engagement and retention are critical, this disconnect is more than just a morale issue. It’s a cultural one.
2. Admin Day Isn’t Making Up for It
Administrative Professionals Day—this year on April 23rd—is meant to be a moment of appreciation. But for most admins, it’s not hitting the mark. According to our survey:
- 39% said they’ve never received anything for Admin Day
- 38% said recognition is inconsistent
- Only 23% receive something every year
That means 3 in 4 admins feel overlooked on the one day designed to celebrate them.
It’s not about grand gestures or expensive gifts. It’s about being seen, acknowledged, and appreciated even just once a year.
3. When Recognition Does Happen, It Often Misses the Mark
We asked how admins feel when they do get recognized. The responses were telling:
- Only 39% said it felt like a genuine expression of appreciation
- 30% said it felt like a token gesture
- 32% had never received anything at all
This shows that intention matters. A generic gift or last-minute flowers might check the box—but it doesn’t always make someone feel seen. Real appreciation is personal. It shows effort. It says, “We notice what you do—and we value it.”
4. This Is a Gender Equity Issue, Too
Of the 457 admin professionals we surveyed, 97% identified as women.
That makes the issue of underappreciation not just a workplace problem, but also a gender equity issue. When a majority-female segment of the workforce consistently reports feeling undervalued, it reflects broader systemic patterns that need to be addressed.
Administrative Professionals do so much for everyone else. This Admin Day—and every day—let’s make sure they feel the appreciation they deserve. A little effort goes a long way.
5. Small Gestures, Big Impact
The good news? It’s not hard to turn things around.
Creating meaningful recognition doesn’t require a huge budget—just a bit of thought and coordination. A group card signed by the whole team. A heartfelt message. A gift card for a coffee or a lunch break. It all adds up to something that says: “We see you.”
At GroupTogether, we make it easy to do just that. Our digital group cards let your whole team sign and share messages (and even pitch in for a gift), making recognition personal, easy, and meaningful.
Let’s Do Better—Together
Administrative Professionals do so much for everyone else. This Admin Day—and every day—let’s make sure they feel the appreciation they deserve. A little effort goes a long way.
What Can We Do About It?
The data is clear: administrative professionals are feeling overlooked. But showing appreciation doesn’t have to mean spending money—it starts with how they’re treated every day.
Here are meaningful (and often free) ways to recognize your admin team:
- Treat them with genuine respect. It sounds simple, but it matters. Include them in meetings where appropriate, listen to their ideas, and speak to them with the same professionalism and consideration you’d offer any colleague.
- Acknowledge their wins—out loud. Whether it’s solving a last-minute issue or keeping everything organized during chaos, take a moment to say, “Great job” or “That made a difference.”
- Involve them in meaningful conversations. Don’t just delegate tasks—ask for their input. It reinforces that their role is valued, not just necessary.
- Recognize them in team comms. A shout-out in a team meeting or company-wide email can go a long way in making someone feel seen.
- Make appreciation part of your culture. Recognition shouldn’t be reserved for once a year. Build habits that acknowledge effort consistently—whether that’s through peer shoutouts, thank-you Slack messages, or quick coffee chats.
And if you do want to go a step further on Administrative Professionals Day:
- Start a Admin day group card. Invite the whole team to sign and leave messages of appreciation online. GroupTogether makes getting it set up a breeze.
- Add a small gesture. It could be a lunch voucher, eGift card, or breakfast as a team—anything that shows you took the time to think of them.
- Ask what matters to them. Recognition isn’t one-size-fits-all. The most meaningful gestures come when you ask, “What would feel special to you?”
In short, appreciation is a practice, not a one-off event. When we create a culture that values the people behind the scenes—not just on Admin Day, but all year long—we build stronger, more connected teams.
Let’s make that the norm.
Ready to Start your Admin Day Card?
GroupTogether makes it easy to show genuine appreciation this Admin Day—just set up a group card, share the link, and collect messages from the whole team in minutes. It’s a simple way to create something heartfelt and meaningful for the people who keep everything running.
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