Monday, October 16, 2006

Take A Memo: It’s Bosses Day!

So, is it Boss’ Day or Bosses Day? It really does matter. Boss’ Days means that our boss possesses the day (although I guess our bosses possesses every day we work for them) and Bosses Day means a day of bosses, which could be a pretty scary idea. Whatever the grammatical treatment, today is the day we honor our boss. Doesn’t it seem appropriate in a somewhat twisted way that Bosses Day falls on a Monday, which is universally regarded as the one day of the work week that we all don’t want to be there.

I’ve never been a boss so I am on the honoring instead of honoree side. I will admit right here and now (especially since my boss knows about and may actually read my blog) that I like my boss and feel fortunate to have him as my leader. Bosses can be different things to different folks: friend, mentor, colleague or enemy. Not sure about the enemy part? Just think, Darth Vader and Mussolini were both bosses and I don’t consider levitating your employees while choking them is what exemplary bosses do (yes, I am speaking about Mussolini). There are mafia bosses and Boss Hogg. Every former President was a boss and the guy running your favorite bowling alley is a boss. I could also argue that if you are a parent you’re a boss, but since I have to freely admit that my daughters rule me, I won’t push the point.

Many people would follow their boss off the edge of a cliff. Of course, many more would rather push their boss off the edge of that same cliff. With all respect to my boss, my favorite boss is not even real. It’s Michael Scott of NBC’s The Office. On the surface it seems like it would be aggravating working for him, but I and my co-workers think it would be endlessly entertaining. The guy tries so hard and fails miserably to gain the friendship, not to mention respect of his employees. Plus, he has no conscience and no idea of what is and is not appropriate to say around the workplace. And we all know that social awkwardness makes for great entertainment!

Aside from being in charge and having to make most decisions, it’s got to be hard being a boss. Do you want your staff to like you? Do you try to befriend them or do you make decisions regardless of what it will do to them? I’m sure it’s not a popularity contest but it is nice to be liked so I imagine that makes the going difficult for every boss. Seriously, aside from God and Jimmy Buffett, can you think of a boss who is liked by every one of their underlings? Hitler doesn’t count because he was liked by his staff under the fear of death, which I hear is a pretty strong motivational tool.

So, if you are a boss and happen to be reading this blog, Happy Bosses Day! If you have a boss, then this day may not mean as much to you. Incidentally, what day is there to honor employees? Yeah there is Labor Day and many companies have an employee appreciation day, but what day do employees get to go to work and receive some kind of recognition? If you are an administrative professional, (I’m trying to be PC) you get Administrative Professionals Day, but if you are a mid-level worker, I guess you just don’t get a day. There are always sick days, but don’t expect your fellow employees to send a card, unless you really are sick, but that’s nothing to celebrate now, is it?

11 comments:

Awesome Mom said...

My bosses are absolute tyrants but occasionally they are nice enough to let me get a nap during the work day.

Odat said...

Hey...I didn't even know today was Bosses Day!!! I hope my boss doesn't know either...it was him I made those comments to about his plant!!!! lol....(But it's all ok, I got a raise today (in my check)..(for real) (no pun intended).....Good post..I like the Office too!!! reminds me of my last job...lol

mist1 said...

I am my own boss, but I don't take directives very well. I didn't even get myself a card today.

Sara's Varolo Village said...

I had a boss once who called me filthy names on a daily basis and threw a huge book at my head when I quit. My Dad of blessed memory offered to break his kneecaps with a baseball bat and I will always regret that I didn't let him.

Happy Bosses Day!
Sara who takes orders from a scary four year old.

Ra Ra said...

I'm sure there's a "national mid-level employee appreciation day." Just google holidays and look for one with a link to something like "a holiday everyday." I'm pretty sure that my birthday is national dance dance revolution day.

ShadowFalcon said...

This is so wrong, when is employee day?

Then again I do like my boss, it my job I hate...

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

yeah no national employee day. when i was a kid (when dinosaurs roamed the earth) i felt cheated that there was no kids day. now i know kids get alot of stuff but i mean an actual KIDS day. it made me sad every mother's and father's day. and of course, back then there was no grandparent's day either, so there is still hope for kids and employees.

what you have to do to get this thing initiated is get the greeting card companies on it. they really like to sell cards and more days with something attached to them equals more greeting card $$'s....so my friend, want to take on this project???

have a great day! bee

Dr. A said...

I will link to this post. I had a funny story about yesterday.

Mo and The Purries said...

As my own boss, I just bought myself lunch.
wooo-hhhoooo, way to go all out for bosses' day, eh?

echo said...

Boss is a four-letter word. :-D Could be good or bad, what the heck. I don't have a boss, thank heavens. It's a good thing you have a likeable boss!

Irene said...

I'm my own boss. So do you think I should celebrate me and the occasion by getting rip-roaring drunk?! :p