Half of Australian admin staff feel undervalued, survey finds

Half of administrative professionals in Australia report feeling underappreciated and unrecognised in their roles, according to a survey by group gifting platform GroupTogether in partnership with global admin network EA How To.

The survey, conducted with 475 administrative professionals, sheds light on the experiences of a largely unsung workforce that plays a crucial part in office operations across industries.

The data reveals that 50% of respondents feel undervalued, while 38% indicated they do not consistently receive recognition on Admin Professionals Day. Additionally, 32% said they have never received a gift or any form of acknowledgement in their workplace.

Administrative professionals are often described as planners, problem solvers, and people connectors, who are essential for keeping the day-to-day running of a workplace smooth. Despite this, the survey findings suggest many of their efforts frequently go unnoticed.

A spokesperson from GroupTogether commented, "Every office has that one person who knows where everything is, remembers birthdays, and keeps things running like clockwork - often without so much as a thank you. This Admin Professionals Day, Friday 2 May, GroupTogether, Australia's leading group gifting platform, is calling on workplaces across the country to celebrate the often-overlooked champions of office culture."

The survey highlights that recognition for administrative professionals does not always need to be material or expensive. Many respondents indicated that even simple gestures such as a verbal 'thank you' or a personalised message can help them feel appreciated and valued in their roles.

To mark Admin Professionals Day and bring attention to the importance of recognition, GroupTogether will be distributing complimentary single-stem flowers in Sydney's Martin Place from 8am on Friday, 2 May. This initiative aims to acknowledge the contributions of administrative staff with what the company describes as "a small but thoughtful way to say thank you to the admin professionals who do so much, so often, with so little fanfare."

Ali Linz, Co-founder of GroupTogether, stated, "Genuine appreciation isn't just nice - it's smart business. When people feel valued, they stay, they care, and they lift up everyone around them. Admin Professionals Day is just a nudge to ensure people remember that. At GroupTogether, we believe it's time they got the recognition they deserve - not just on Admin Professionals Day, but every day."

GroupTogether, a platform used by over a million Australians, is known for making it straightforward to organise collective cards and gifts for colleagues, even for remote teams. The company's service allows teams to sign a card online and contribute to a group gift or purchase options like the AnyCard, which can be exchanged for a broad selection of gift cards or experiences.

The platform's approach is designed to make group recognition less logistically challenging for colleagues and employers. According to the company, "Over a million Australians use GroupTogether because it's so touching and still easy, especially for remote teams. Just create the link, share it with the team, and you're done. The AnyCard is one of the most popular purchases on GroupTogether, which allows the recipient to choose the gift card they want or pick from curated hampers, luxe spa experiences, and more! Paired with heartfelt messages from the team, GroupTogether makes it personal — a small gesture that makes a big difference."

As Admin Professionals Day approaches, the findings from the survey and GroupTogether's planned activities draw attention to the ongoing issue of underappreciation in the administrative workforce and encourage Australian workplaces to consider consistent acknowledgment of their contributions.