Public Service - Now More Than Ever

Each year since 1985, the first full week of May has been designated as Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW), a national celebration of public servants in federal, state, local, and tribal government. This year, PSRW falls on May 3-9.

It is fitting that we celebrate the contributions of the more than 23 million public servants in government, schools, and universities who deliver essential services to the American public every day.

Their work is more important now than ever.

Public servants under siege

Even as we honor these contributions to society, may public servants feel increasingly under siege. Thirteen years ago, I began my book “Engaging Government Employees” with this observation:

Unfortunately, this sentiment remains true today.

Efforts to shrink the federal workforce and the persistent political rhetoric have fueled public skepticism about government in general. Confidence in all levels of government has declined, driven by factors that include:

• Political rhetoric;
• Outdated systems that frustrate the very people government tries to help; and
• The unavoidable visibility of any government mistakes and inefficiencies.

Unlike private-sector organizations, government rarely has the luxury of operating out of the spotlight. This scrutiny can overshadow the fact that government’s work is both essential and uniquely broad.

The work of government: essential, visible, and vast

Amid the often-overheated rhetoric about government is the simple truth that public servants deliver services that shape our lives every day in critical ways. We expect government to:

• Protect our nation and our communities;
• Respond to disasters;
• Maintain a strong economy;
• Ensure what we eat and drink is safe;
• Fight poverty and homelessness;
• Provide reliable public transportation;
• Protect our natural resources and environment;
• Educate our children;
• Ensure affordable healthcare; and
• So much more.

Government is the largest and most occupationally diverse sector in the U.S. economy, with some individual governments encompassing literally thousands of roles. This occupational diversity, which no private sector firm can match, makes government organizations highly complex to manage. In many cases, the public sector performs work that the private sector can’t – or won’t – do.

We must also never forget that during the pandemic, public servants continued to deliver essential services, risking their health and the health of their loved ones. While many of us were hunkered down in front of our computers trying to stay safe, front-line public servants persevered, doing the work of government in person.

They continued to protect the public, respond to emergencies, deliver the mail, maintain the infrastructure, provide public transportation, and so on. We owe these people a profound debt of gratitude.

Public service: more than a paycheck

These dedicated government employees are vivid, real-world examples of research showing that public servants are largely motivated by mission, compassion, duty, and the opportunity to make a difference. They are committed to:

• Prioritizing fairness, transparency, and justice;
• Upholding ethical standards even under pressure; and
• Holding themselves accountable and speaking up against injustice.

Public servants are even more likely to volunteer in their local communities.

For many, public service is not just a job – it is part of who they are. This deep sense of purpose is a powerful strength, especially in times of change and uncertainty. As Gandhi said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” In the U.S., leaders across political lines have described public service as both a privilege and a calling.

As President George H. W. Bush put it, “Public service is a noble calling, and we need men and women of character to believe they can make a difference in their communities, their states, and in their country … There is no greater privilege than to labor in government.”                   

For generations, calls to serve like this motivated the best and brightest to make a difference through government service – in Washington, DC; their state capitals; and their local communities.

A workforce under strain

Today, that call to serve often goes unanswered.

Critical positions remain vacant in fields such as law enforcement, 911 call centers, public health, engineering, public transit, skilled trades, public finance, and other occupations. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recently reported 362,000 vacancies in state and local government, compared to only 160,000 hires. This continued the trend of vacancies outpacing hires in these sectors.

State and local government HR leaders reported that 85 percent of their organizations were forced to reopen recruitments because of a shortage of qualified candidates, and 61 percent reported that a retirement wave is occurring now or will occur in the next few years.  

Vacancies create excessive workloads that lead to stress and turnover, and the resulting vacancies are hard to fill. It’s a vicious cycle that is hard to disrupt.

As a local government official told me, “We’re all feeling the pain.” 

Rising expectations, limited resources

Despite these workforce challenges, public expectations of government continue to grow. With the relentless advance of technology, people increasingly expect government to match the speed, accessibility, and responsiveness they experience elsewhere.

Government must meet these demands despite tight budgets, aging infrastructures, workforces stretched thin by retirements and turnover, and limited ability to add positions.

In other words, public-sector organizations are being asked to do more with less, and do it faster. Meeting this challenge is essential to the nation’s well-being.

Supporting public servants is supporting America

As we celebrate Public Service Recognition Week 2026, the United States is navigating rapid technological transformation, global uncertainty, economic pressures, and deep polarization. In times like these, public servants are indispensable, as they keep essential systems operating and ensure that the promise of government reaches every community.

It’s easy to complain about government. Most of us have done it, even those who champion public service. But if we want a government that works for everyone, we must support the people who make it work. This means recognizing their contributions, defending their integrity, and giving them the tools, resources, and respect they need to succeed.

Because when public servants thrive, the country thrives.

As I emphasize when I speak about the value of public service, the people I have known in my five decades working in and with (mostly in) government at all levels don’t want awards, big salaries, hefty bonuses, or public recognition.

They simply want to make a difference.

And they do – every day. What they hope for in return is understanding, trust, and appreciation for the impact they have on our nation, our states, and our communities.

We should celebrate the contributions of public servants year-round, but Public Service Recognition Week offers a special time to pause, reflect on, and express our gratitude for their impact. It is a reminder that our democracy depends on the dedication of public servants, and that supporting them is an investment in our communities and our nation.

In my next article, I will detail the concrete steps that public-sector organizations are taking to attract and retain a committed and high-performing workforce capable of meeting the challenges of today – and tomorrow.