Celebrating Public Sector Workers: Public Service Recognition Week is Almost Here!

Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW) is just days away. Are you ready?

Since 1985, PSRW has been celebrated during the first full week of May. This year, the weeklong celebration of public service runs from May 4 – 10, and offers a great opportunity to let the committed public servants within your organization know that their hard work is appreciated.

Need some ideas on how to properly recognize your workforce for their efforts? Check out this collection of resources and examples of what some other agencies have in store. For example:

The Partnership for Public Service provides several PSRW-related resources for organizations looking to share a PSRW-themed event to add to the Partnership for Public Service events calendar, a podcast featuring stories about public service leaders’ efforts and much more.

• The Partnership for Public Service has also launched the #ISupportFeds campaign, offering members of the public a chance to share anecdotes demonstrating how a federal employee made a positive impact on their community, country or the world. Current or former federal employees are also encouraged to share examples of how their work makes a difference. The Partnership for Public Service will feature these stories on its website, in its newsletter and on its social platforms.
• The University of Wisconsin Public Service Recognition Toolkit includes items including email templates, graphics, scripts and distribution plans, designed to be used in conjunction with PSRW to aid in the recruitment and retention of employees.

• Washington State’s Office of Financial Management awards communications toolkit provides a number of resources and downloads for state agencies designed to be used in relation to Public Service Recognition Week awards.
• The National Association of State Personnel Executives has created a resource guide with facts, resources and ideas for events and activities to celebrate State Employee Recognition Day—held on May 7, as part of PSRW—at the state and local government levels.
• The City of Houston has shared information on a number of events and activities designed to honor its government employees and promote public service careers, including the City’s Bravo! Awards, PSRW Basketball Tournament and Profiles in Public Service.
• The California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) Public Service Recognition Week Toolkit includes a host of PSRW-related resources, along with a schedule of PSRW-themed events geared toward state employees throughout the week of May 4 – 10.
• The State of Oregon offers a variety of PSRW-themed toolkits and recognition ideas, as well as social media templates intended to help highlight the hard work and contributions of public employees.