California’s Public Service Recognition Week Toolkit
SAVE THE DATES MAY 4-10, 2025
Honoring Our Public Servants
Connecting Citizens With Their Government
Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW) is a time set aside to honor individuals who serve our nation as federal, state, county and local government employees. It is a valuable recognition program intended to help build workplace culture and support meaningful employee engagement.
CalHR invites each department to participate in themed event days during PSRW. Recommended events are highly encouraged but not mandatory. Departments can also establish their own unique activities for the week.
This year’s Public Service Recognition Week virtual learning session presentation can be found here!
Stay Updated
This page is updated on an ongoing basis as new information becomes available. Bookmark and check back often for the latest updates.
General PRSW Resources
- Download the 2025 PSRW virtual learning session presentation here.
- Use these email templates to send daily messages to your department during PSRW:
- Use this flyer to promote PSRW to your department’s employees:
- Use templates from the Statewide Engagement Program to recognize employees, foster appreciation and celebrate contribution:
- Find PSRW resources including sample messages, educational ideas and digital logo resources from the Partnership for Public Service Recognition.
- Celebrate digitally with a different PSRW virtual background, available for download each day below.
- Find Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) resources:
Suggested Schedule of Events
Below is a framework of suggested Public Service Recognition Week 2025 activities for state departments. The theme for each day is based on one of Gallup’s five elements of wellbeing. Each day also features reflection questions and additional resources. Departments can use the reflection questions to spark meaningful conversations through social media, lunch and learns, email communication or team meetings.
Monday, May 5, 2025: Career Wellbeing
Career wellbeing: You like what you do every day.
Statewide themed activity
- Executive/Management Meet and Greet with a focus on career development
- Career recognition activity (online using Teams Whiteboard, or in-person)
- Microsoft Teams Whiteboard Tips
Reflection questions
- What is a skill/area you would like to grow in over the year?
- How can our team support your career growth?
Resources
- Healthier U Connections: Finding Purpose in Your Work
- Employee Assistance Program:
Tuesday, May 6, 2025: Social Wellbeing
Social wellbeing: You have meaningful friendships in your social life.
Statewide themed activity
- Speed Networking with Strengths/Skills Recognition: Host a networking event in person or virtually with breakout rooms, rotating partners.
- Speed Networking Prompt
- Personal interest slide activity
Reflection question
- What is something you have learned about a coworker this week?
- How can we strengthen our connections as a team?
Resources
- Healthier U Connections: Living a Well-balanced Life
- UnitedHealthcare: Eight Tips for Setting Healthy Boundaries
- Sutter Health: How to Discuss Social Media with Your Teen
- Employee Assistance Program:
Wednesday, May 7, 2025: Physical Wellbeing
Physical wellbeing: You have energy to get things done.
Statewide themed activity:
- Healthy Snack Break/Walk and Talk Break (CDC: Tips For Offering Healthier Options and Physical Activity at Workplace Meetings and Events)
Reflection questions
- How do you prioritize your physical health during workday?
- What is one healthy habit you would like to build into your routine?
Resources
- Kaiser Permanente: Mind-Body Wellness
- Healthier U Connections: Propel Studio (on-demand workouts)
- Healthier U Connections: Virtual Kitchen
- Employee Assistance Program:
Thursday, May 8, 2025: Community Wellbeing
Community wellbeing: You like where you live.
Statewide themed activity
Reflection question
- How does our work contribute to the larger community?
- What aspects of your community make you proud?
Resources
- Kaiser Permanente: Find Community Resources Near You
- Healthier U Connections Podcast: Getting Involved In Your Community
- Blue Shield On-Demand Webinar: Building Health Habits Together
- CDPH: Get Involved in Shaping Healthy Communities
- Employee Assistance Program: Creating Psychological Safety: A Guide for Leaders
Friday, May 9, 2025: Financial Wellbeing
Financial wellbeing: The perception you have enough money to do what you want to do.
Statewide themed activity
- Investing in Yourself: A Savings Plus Collaboration
- 2025 PSRW Financial Wellbeing Webinar registration link
Reflection questions
- What financial goals are you working towards this year?
- What resources could make you feel more confident about your financial wellbeing?
Resources
- Financial Wellbeing Resource: Manage Your Money Guidebook.pdf
- Healthier U Connections: Financial Wellbeing Program
- Blue Shield On-Demand Webinar: Balanced Budget, Balanced Brain
- Employee Assistance Program:
Social Media and Hashtags
If it is appropriate for your department, share photos of your events on social media using the hashtags #PSRWCA and #CAServingCA. If you have satellite offices or a hybrid workforce, be sure to establish a way to collect photos and share PSRW participation in advance.
Contact Us
Need more event ideas, signage ideas, or other resources? Contact StatewideEngagement@calhr.ca.gov.
The Statewide Engagement Program’s mission is to provide a holistic approach in connecting state departments with the capacity and community needed to support the overall wellbeing of their employees.
Learn more about how the Statewide Engagement Program can help your department:
