National Boss's Day – Oct. 16, 2026

National Boss's Day
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AppreciationWork
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Date change rule:
Every October 16
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National Boss’s Day arrives every October 16, offering a perfect opportunity to recognize the dedication and hard work of managers and supervisors. Take this day to express genuine gratitude to the leaders who support your professional growth, foster positive work environments, and guide your team’s success.

Want to sponsor National Boss's Day? Learn how

Expected National Boss's Day Deals

As National Boss’s Day approaches, companies and employees look for meaningful ways to express appreciation. While direct sales aren’t typical, many businesses offer corporate gifting programs and personalized services. Consider gift baskets from Harry & David, gourmet coffee subscriptions from Starbucks, or custom stationery from Moleskine. Local florists like Teleflora and gift retailers such as Hallmark often feature special collections tailored for workplace appreciation. Additionally, many restaurants, including The Capital Grille and Ruth’s Chris Steak House, are popular choices for team lunches or dinners to celebrate leadership. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as October 16 approaches.

Platform Guide for National Boss's Day

LinkedIn

Tag National Today (linkedin.com/company/nationaltoday) and use #NationalBossDay. Share a post recognizing an inspiring leader or team achievement.

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #BossDay. Share a photo of your team or a creative graphic celebrating great leadership.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #NationalBossDay. Tweet a shout-out to your boss or share a positive workplace anecdote.

Social Media Tips for National Boss's Day

Individuals

Write a personalized thank-you note or send a small, thoughtful gift to your boss. Acknowledge specific ways they've supported you or the team.

Creators

Produce short videos or infographics highlighting qualities of effective leadership or creative ways to show appreciation in the workplace. Share on professional platforms.

Brands

Launch an internal campaign recognizing managers or offer special discounts on corporate gifting solutions. Encourage employees to share their appreciation stories.

Partners & Brands for National Boss's Day

  1. LinkedIn

    Founded in 2002, LinkedIn is the world's largest professional network, connecting millions of users globally. It serves as a vital platform for career development, networking, and celebrating professional milestones, making it ideal for workplace recognition.

  2. Indeed

    Launched in 2004, Indeed is a leading global job site that connects job seekers with employers. It plays a crucial role in shaping careers and workplaces, making it a relevant platform for discussions around leadership and employee appreciation.

  3. Glassdoor

    Founded in 2008, Glassdoor is a website where current and former employees anonymously review companies and their management. It provides insights into workplace culture and leadership, offering valuable context for Boss's Day discussions.

  4. Starbucks

    Founded in 1971 in Seattle, Washington, Starbucks is the world's largest coffeehouse chain. Its widespread presence and focus on corporate gifting options for employees and clients make it a popular choice for Boss's Day tokens of appreciation.

  5. Harry & David

    Established in 1934, Harry & David is a premier American food and gift retailer known for its gourmet gift baskets and fruit. Their curated selections are often chosen by companies and individuals to express gratitude to leaders.

  6. Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)

    Founded in 1948, SHRM is the world's largest HR professional society, dedicated to advancing the HR profession. They provide resources and guidance on workplace culture, employee recognition, and effective leadership practices.

  7. Dale Carnegie Training

    Established in 1912 by Dale Carnegie, this global training organization focuses on leadership development, public speaking, and interpersonal skills. Their programs directly contribute to fostering better bosses and more effective workplace communication.

National Boss's Day Hero

Patricia Haroski

Patricia Haroski, then an employee at State Farm Insurance in Deerfield, Illinois, is credited with creating National Boss's Day in 1958. She registered the holiday with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in 1958, choosing October 16 to honor her father, who was also her boss. Her vision was to foster better relationships between employees and supervisors, recognizing the hard work and dedication of leaders.

History of National Boss's Day

In 1958, Patricia Bays Haroski registered National Boss’s Days as a holiday with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in honor of her father, who was also her employer. She created the holiday to improve office relationships between supervisors and their employees as well as raise cognizance to all the hard work boss’s put into their jobs. She felt as if younger employees didn’t appreciate their bosses enough, and knowing first hand what her father went through to make a company run smooth, set out to change that viewpoint. However, it wasn’t until Illinois Governor Otto Kerner supported Haroski’s registration four years later, that the day officially became a national holiday. National Boss Day is celebrated annually on October 16, unless this date falls on a weekend, in which case it is celebrated on the next working day.

While it may seem like a lavish position to some, it’s not easy being a boss. It’s certainly not just giving orders and relaxing. The operations of an entire business or department are shouldered by dedicated bosses, who ensure a smooth flow of work, handling major concerns of employees, and achieving the required goal of the organization. Bosses can make or break the entire workplace, and not just from a business perspective. A boss’s managerial style and attitude impacts the work environment and morale of employees. Fair and kind bosses make work-life balance easy, and some even assist in navigating and paving career paths. This is exactly why National Boss Day was created — to express gratitude to all great bosses, and appreciate all they do to make work a collaborative effort and a success.

Whatever we may think of the bosses in our lives, one thing is for sure, it is cool to be a boss. Popular phrases such as “Like a Boss” and “Girl Boss” became internet sensations after they were first used, and now we use them to describe any task that is done well.

And of course, how can we forget some of the most beloved television bosses? in 2005 we were introduced to the “World’s Best Boss” himself, Michael Scott in the television show “The Office.” We have also enjoyed less jolly bosses such as Miranda Priestly in the 2006 movie “Devil Wears Prada,” and fast-talking Editor-in-Chief of The Daily Bugle and Peter Parker’s boss, J. Jonah Jameson.

 

National Boss's Day timeline

1800s
Boss Moves

Americans start saying the word boss (taken from the Dutch word 'baas') in workplaces to avoid saying the word 'master.'

1958
Save the Date

Patricia Bays Haroski registers National Boss's Day with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in honor of her father, who's birthday is October 16.

1962
Make it Official

National Boss's Day officially becomes a holiday thanks to the help of Governor Otto Kerner.

1979
A Hallmark Moment

Hallmark starts offering National Boss's Day cards for sale.

How Businesses Can Celebrate National Boss's Day

Local businesses can celebrate National Boss’s Day by fostering a culture of appreciation and recognition. Consider organizing a team lunch or a small office gathering to acknowledge managers’ contributions. Retailers could offer special corporate gifting packages for employees looking to thank their supervisors, while restaurants might feature ‘Boss’s Brunch’ or ‘Leader’s Lunch’ specials. Encourage employees to write personalized thank-you notes, emphasizing specific instances of guidance or support.

National Boss Day Traditions

The main tradition on National Boss’s Day is, if you have a great boss, find a way of letting them know. To celebrate bosses, employees often pool in to buy a gift or card for their boss. Small celebratory lunches are hosted by some, and the day is all about letting the man or woman in charge know what a great job they’re doing.  

 

National Boss Day By Numbers

11 million – The number of people working in a supervisor or management role in the U.S.
40% – The percentage of female bosses throughout the world
86% – The percentage of companies who say developing new leaders is an urgent need.
65% – The percentage of employees who see opportunities to become a leader as important.
43% – The percentage of people who say feeling appreciated at work makes them feel more confident.
67% – Prefer to work for a company and people whose mission they believe in.

National Boss's Day FAQs

When is National Boss's Day?

National Boss’s Day 2026 falls on Friday, October 16. This annual observance is a dedicated opportunity to show appreciation for the leaders and managers who guide teams and foster positive work environments.

How many managers are there in the U.S.?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were approximately 17.5 million management occupations in the U.S. as of 2024. This vast number underscores the widespread impact of effective leadership across industries.

Is National Boss's Day a federal holiday?

No, National Boss’s Day is not a federal holiday in 2026. While widely observed in workplaces across the United States, it is not a day off from work and businesses operate as usual.

What is the history behind National Boss's Day?

National Boss’s Day was founded in 1958 by Patricia Haroski, an employee at State Farm Insurance in Illinois. She registered the holiday with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, choosing October 16 to honor her father, who was also her boss. The day was created to recognize the contributions of supervisors and improve employer-employee relations.

National Boss's Day Activities

  1. Chip in to make their days great

    In honor of the day, why not get a cute greeting card for you and all of your coworkers to sign? Or pitch in to buy a fun gift or something that they've talked about needing. Have a hard-to-buy-for boss? Consider making a donation in their name to a local charity.

  2. Tell them what they mean to you

    Send your boss a heartfelt email telling them how much you appreciate them. If you’re feeling fancy, you can write an old-fashioned letter thanking them for the inspiration and dedication they've shown to you. Either way, they'll appreciate you appreciating them.

  3. Help out on the job

    Unless you know your boss’s tastes in books or flowers, try an intangible gesture. Ask them what step you could take to make their job easier. The reply might be something as simple as showing up on time or making sure the printer paper gets refilled—but it could also be a chance to grow as a professional and take point on a daily report or a quarterly goal. Either way, the offer to go above and beyond will doubtless be appreciated.

5 Astonishing Facts About Bad Bosses

  1. Bad bosses are stressful

    Three out of four employees state that their boss is the worst part of their jobs.

  2. Bad bosses lead to low employee retention

    Low employee morale leads to many quitting their jobs due to poor leadership.

  3. Bad bosses impact productivity

    Employees are less likely to be productive under incompetent management.

  4. The importance of good bosses

    65% of employees say they'd take a new boss over a pay raise.

  5. Bad bosses are abusive

    44% of employees say they've been emotionally, verbally, or physically abused by a boss or senior in their career.

Why We Love National Boss's Day

  1. They gave us our jobs

    They hired us, pay us, and keep our workplace afloat. It’s a lot of responsibility to manage other people, but someone's got to do it! 

  2. They take the blame when things go badly

    When the client backs out or the contract is lost, odds are your boss is the one going under the bus. Bosses fall on their swords for us more often than we may realize, and they understand that it’s part of their position to do so. Now go and buy them some thank you chocolate!

  3. They are mentors and more

    The best bosses are excellent judges of character and can see our potential, sometimes even before we do. Many of them take immense pleasure in helping younger, less experienced colleagues develop their own abilities, network, and generally succeed in their field. And, by doing so, they can boost your career into the stratosphere. If you’ve found a boss like that, consider yourself lucky!

National Boss's Day dates

Year Date Day
2026 October 16 Friday
2027 October 16 Saturday
2028 October 16 Monday
2029 October 16 Tuesday
2030 October 16 Wednesday

Let’s get social

Here are some special hashtags for the day.

#NationalBossDay #BossDay #BestBossEver #HappyBossDay #BossMove #WhosTheBoss

National Boss's Day Featured Video

National Boss's Day