The tables will be turned tomorrow at Argus when management literally wait hand-on-foot for company employees at a slap-up breakfast.

It has become a yearly tradition for the company to lay on a breakfast for all staff with managers performing the waiting duties at the beck and call of employees for a full half-hour or so.

Although last week was Administrative Assistant Appreciation Week in Bermuda, and the Argus event normally coincides with the internationally recognised Administrative Assistant Appreciation Day (formerly known as Secretaries' day).

This year it has has been moved to May 1 so that CEO Gerald Simons can be there to play his part in treating staff to a pampered breakfast.

Previously, former CEO John Sainsbury had decided that rather than just restrict the day to recognising secretaries it should encompass all employees. Staff were given a gift, usually an Argus-branded product.

The idea for the breakfast came about as a result of a new lunch/dining area being created in the offices in the 1990s, which was opened with a special breakfast for all staff.

Current CEO Gerald Simons, thought it would be a great idea to make the breakfast a once-a-year event to show management's appreciation of employees.

Staff enjoy a buffet breakfast and, once they take their seats, management bring them coffee, tea or juice and anything else they require to complete their breakfast.

Executive vice president, marketing, Joy Pimental said: "It's fun. We have a healthy breakfast and the management team serve."

The idea also helps foster good feeling among staff, she explained: "In Bermuda it is a challenge to attract and retain good people. We try to achieve that. When we have a new employee at the breakfast for the first time you can see the look of 'wow' on their face when they see management serve the staff."

Front desk receptionist Leonie Woolridge, who has worked for Argus for 19 years, said: "I've not heard of this being done anywhere else in Bermuda. We get to mingle with other staff who we don't see often during the year and talk and share with them."

Her front desk colleague Terri Watson, now in her eighth year at Argus, added: "It is so upbeat. We get to mingle with people who we have not seen for a long time, the half-hour is so positive. I think Argus is setting a wonderful example."

Tomorrow's staff appreciation day will also feature a celebration to Argus' late tea-lady Barbara Dillas.