Public Service Recognition Week: May 5-11, 2024
Since 1985, the first full week in May has been designated as Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW), honoring those who serve our nation as federal, state, county, or local government employees. The Indiana State Personnel Department (INSPD) encourages your agency to celebrate this week with special events and by sharing employee activities on social media.
Join us in recognizing the amazing work of all those who work for Indiana. Here in state government, we’ll celebrate our state's public servants from May 5-11, 2024.
Celebrate PSRW 2024 with the following events! Be sure to share how you are celebrating each day on social media using #PSRW and #INAppreciation and tagging @stateofindiana on Facebook and @workforindiana on X and Instagram.
#PSRW Events
Monday, May 6
- Theme Day: Silly Socks
Wear your favorite silly socks!
Wednesday, May 8
- Professional Development Day
Take advantage of the state’s free professional development opportunities from LinkedIn Learning. With more than 10,000 on-demand courses, there are ample opportunities for state workers to expand their knowledge – and advance their careers in the process. Learn more >- Get started with one of the following topics:
- Mindful Moments: In moments of stress, it's important to know what you can do to help manage it. Check out the calendar of selected LinkedIn Learning videos that can be completed in 5-10 minutes a day. These will help you build positive routines into your day and learn to become more mindful in your personal and professional life. Download the Mindful Moments calendar >
- Upskill to Advance Your Career: Identify and prioritize skills that are most important to you and that will help move your career forward. From leadership training to time management, sharpening your skills can help you boost your career. Get started by using this calendar of selected LinkedIn Learning videos and quick activities. Download the Upskills calendar >
- Get started with one of the following topics:
- Theme Day: Agency Spirit Day
Represent your agency by wearing your agency apparel.
Thursday, May 9
- Statehouse Market Opening Day
Featuring some of your favorite local food trucks and artisan vendors, the Statehouse Market’s Opening Day is 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, May 9 on Robert D. Orr Plaza. - Group Photo
INSPD will be taking the annual all-agency group photo during the Statehouse Market to showcase the service-year colors. The group photo will be taken at 11:30 a.m. on the steps of the Statehouse facing Washington Street. Wear your years of state service colors and join us on the steps beginning at 11:20 a.m. - Theme Day: Years of State Service
Show your colors! Wear the following colors that correspond with how long you’ve been serving Indiana.- 0-2 years: Wear Gray
- 3-5 years: Wear Yellow
- 6-10 years: Wear Green
- 11-15 years: Wear Blue
- 16+ years: Wear Red
Friday, May 10
- Theme Day: Hoosier Spirit
Show your Hoosier pride and wear anything Indiana! Sports, schools, if it’s Indiana, rock your gear.
Saturday, May 11
- Visit an Indiana state park for free!
The Indiana Department of National Resources is offering free admission to state employees at all state parks and other DNR properties with entrance fees on Saturday, May 11. Just let the gate attendant know you are a state employee for free admission.
Saturday, May 11 & Sunday, May 12
- State of Indiana Employee Appreciation Weekend at Indiana Beach
On Saturday, May 11 and Sunday, May 12, state employees and guests can receive $16.99 tickets to Indiana Beach Amusement & Water Park Resort! Must arrive by 6 p.m. Present your state ID at the group sales booth in the South parking lot for discounted rate. Learn more >
How to celebrate #PSRW
Showing gratitude can be the simplest, yet most effective, way to boost morale and promote a healthy work culture, and it is the cornerstone of PSRW. The benefits of employee appreciation offer:
- Increased productivity.
- Enhanced customer service (internal and external).
- Improved physical and mental wellness.
- Greater job satisfaction.
- A great way to model supportive behavior; generosity is contagious!
Here are a few suggestions for a great Public Service Recognition Week or #PSRW.
- Show your #INAppreciation on social media: Please use the hashtags #INAppreciation and #PSRW when posting on social media. Let's show those outside of state government all of the awesome things we're doing as state employees! We hope to see how your agency participates and celebrates the week. Please engage with our state employee social media accounts, @stateofindiana on Facebook, and @workforindiana on X and Instagram.
- Perform random acts of kindness: Write letters thanking fellow employees within your agency or within other state agencies. Send your thank you note via email or write a thank you card by hand and send it through the mail. Other ideas include baking cookies, sending flowers, etc.
PSRW Thank You card template - White board campaign: Participate in the Partnership for Public Service PSRW white board campaign. Use one of the white board templates to write why you serve or support public servants. Take a photo and share it on social media! Templates are available for download below.
I Serve Because...
I Appreciate Public Servants Because... - Have fun!