What?  You didn’t know that today is National Bosses Day?  Well perhaps your groveling peers did.  And in fear of losing their jobs during a time of economic crisis, they likely applied their limited wages toward the purchase of an unneeded bauble for presentation to the person who – by definition – already has more than them.  (Of course, the irony of the situation may be that the boss attributes the gift to excess wages, thus justifying a further reduction in pay.)

So how did National Bosses Day come to be?  Like all great stories, it began with the nepotistic dreams of one person:

“Patricia Bays Haroski registered ‘National Boss’s Day’ with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in 1958.  She was working as a secretary for State Farm Insurance Company in Deerfield, Illinois at the time and chose October 16 because it was the birthday of her boss, who happened to be her father.  Four years later in 1962, Illinois Governor Otto Kerner backed Haroski’s registration and officially proclaimed the day.”

• National Wait in Endless Line at the DMV Day
• National 20 Items in the 15 Item Grocery Lane Day
• National Disinterest in the Customer Day
• National Your Call is Very Important to Us Day

Sometimes a gift from the heart is the only answer, so take some time today to speak with your boss and thank her.  And when she looks at you sidewise (because she didn’t know it’s National Bosses Day), you can be ensured the circle of kiss-ups will continue.  Let’s keep the conversation going.