When is Boss's Day?
Boss's Day 2026 is on Friday
Friday, October 16, 2026
October 16 every year, or the nearest working day when it lands on a weekend. That's in 12 days.
until Boss's Day begins, in your time zone
Boss's Day is a workplace observance on which employees thank the managers and supervisors who support them. A secretary in Deerfield, Illinois, started it in 1958 and picked the date to honor her father, who was also her boss.
About Boss's Day
The day is meant to strengthen working relationships by giving staff a reason to recognize managers who are fair, supportive and good at their jobs. In many offices it is marked with a card signed by the team, a shared treat or a few words of thanks at a meeting rather than anything elaborate.
Boss's Day traces back to Patricia Bays Haroski, a secretary at State Farm Insurance in Deerfield, Illinois. In 1958 she registered National Boss's Day with the US Chamber of Commerce, choosing October 16 because it was the birthday of her father, who was also her employer at the time. Local news reports from Chicago describe her aim as improving relations between managers and the people who work for them.
In 1962 Illinois Governor Otto Kerner backed the idea with an official proclamation, and the day spread from there. Greeting card companies began selling Boss's Day cards in the late 1970s, which helped it become a fixture in American offices. It is not a federal or public holiday.
Because the date is fixed, October 16 sometimes falls on a Saturday or Sunday. Workplaces usually mark it on the nearest working day in those years, typically the Friday before or the Monday after. The day is observed mainly in the United States, and a few other countries have adopted it as well.
Sources: NBC Chicago: National Boss's Day started in Illinois (October 16, 2024), ABC7 Chicago: National Boss's Day history and its connection to Deerfield (October 16, 2019). How we check dates.
How to mark Boss's Day
- Write a short note to your manager naming one specific decision or piece of support that helped you this year.
- Organize a team card where everyone can contribute without anyone feeling pressured to spend money.
- Give feedback on what your manager does well in a one-to-one, so the praise is useful as well as kind.
- If you manage people, use the day to ask your team what you could do better as a boss.
- Thank a former manager or mentor who helped shape your career.
Boss's Day dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Thursday, October 16, 2025 |
| 2026 | Friday, October 16, 2026 |
| 2027 | Saturday, October 16, 2027 |
| 2028 | Monday, October 16, 2028 |
| 2029 | Tuesday, October 16, 2029 |
| 2030 | Wednesday, October 16, 2030 |
| 2031 | Thursday, October 16, 2031 |
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Frequently asked questions
When is Boss's Day 2026?
Boss's Day 2026 is on Friday, October 16, 2026. It falls on October 16 every year, or the nearest working day when it lands on a weekend. In 2027, it is on Saturday, October 16, 2027.
Who started Boss's Day?
Patricia Bays Haroski, a secretary at State Farm Insurance in Deerfield, Illinois, registered National Boss's Day with the US Chamber of Commerce in 1958. Illinois Governor Otto Kerner proclaimed it in 1962.
Why is Boss's Day on October 16?
Haroski chose October 16 because it was her father's birthday, and he was also her boss at the time.
Should employees buy their boss a gift?
There is no expectation of a gift. Many workplaces keep it to a card or a sincere thank-you, and when there is a gift it often comes from the whole team rather than one person.
Is Boss's Day a public holiday?
No. Boss's Day is an observance, not a public holiday, so schools, banks, government offices and most businesses keep their normal hours.