Focus: Peer-to-peer recognition and connection.  

Goal: Strengthen workplace relationships and encourage mutual appreciation.   

Gratitude Flow – Each employee takes a moment to recognize a teammate for something specific. Once recognized, that employee keeps the momentum going by recognizing someone else. The recognition “travels” throughout the day, creating a positive ripple effect across the team. This activity can be easily adapted for small team meetings or scaled up for division- or department-wide gatherings, fostering a culture of appreciation and connection at any level.   

Lunch & Laughs – Encourage teams to share a meal, coffee break, or fun activity (trivia, icebreaker bingo).   

Sharing a Strength (CliftonStrengths)– Take your discussion to the next level! Encourage employees to share one of their Gallup CliftonStrengths (or personal strength they identify with) and explain how they use it in their role. This activity can be done during team meetings, on a shared board or virtually through Microsoft Teams.   

Bonus: Want deeper insights? Invite staff to take the one-day “CliftonStrengths: Discover Your Top 5” course on CalLearns to uncover their top five strengths and bring those insights to the discussion. Upcoming sessions are available on Apr.9 and Jun.9.  

Reflection Questions  

• Who on your team made your day easier recently, and how?   
• What’s one strength you admire in a colleague?   
• How do you contribute to a positive team environment?   

Live Well Video Resources 

• Self-Care Program | Mindset for Greatness 
• Workday Motivation Playlist | Energize Your Focus  
• Manager’s Special Session | Fostering Resilience on Your Team 

Resources  

• Recognition Certificate  
• EAP Resource - Importance of Personal Relationships for Lowering Stress: Healthy relationships play a key role in reducing stress and supporting mental wellbeing. Staying connected by spending time with loved ones, nurturing your partnership, building new connections, and being honest about how you feel can boost your mood and strengthen the relationships that support you.  
• EAP Resource – Healing Through Humor: Laughter activates the mind-body connection, prompting your brain to release chemicals that reduce stress, boost mood, support immunity, and help your body heal. Making time to laugh through people, media, or everyday moments is a simple, powerful form of self-care you can use anytime. 

Focus: Recognizing employees’ whole selves, not just their roles.   

Goal: Show care for staff wellbeing and balance by dedicating the day to Live Well resources and benefits that support employees’ lives at work and beyond.   

Live Well Scavenger Hunt – Encourage employees to spend time throughout the day exploring Life Well resources and employee benefits. A scavenger hunt document will be made available. Options include but aren’t limited to: watching a wellbeing video, reading an article, joining or bookmarking a program, reviewing one benefit they haven’t used yet (health, dental, vision, EAP, Group Legal, Long-Term Disability, etc.) and identifying one small action such as scheduling a preventive appointment. Departments may optionally offer small participation tokens on friendly team challenges to boost engagement.  

Mindful Appreciation Breaks – 5-minute team gratitude session or guided mindfulness practice. Video resources will be shared with departments.   

Wellness Wall – Invite employees to share what helps them recharge (hobbies, walks, family time).   

Live Well Lunch & Learn Webinar 

• Wednesday, May 6 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. [Register Here] 
  A statewide session on wellbeing: “Stress Less, Live Well: Simple Ways to Recharge Your Mind and Body” with practical, realistic ways to manage stress, boost energy and take care of yourself during a busy workday.  
• Departments encouraged to gather staff for group viewing sessions to promote connection and shared learning.  

Reflection Questions  

• What helps you recharge during a busy week?   
• How do you balance your work and personal life?   
• What’s one small act of self-care you can do today?   

Live Well Video Resources 

• Simplify Health & Wellbeing 
• Creating a Mental Wellbeing Plan 
• Music to Feel Calm | Soothing Serene Soundscapes 

Resources  

• EAP Resource – Caring for Yourself and Others: Self-care isn’t selfish—it’s essential, especially when you’re caring for others, because your wellbeing directly supports those who rely on you. Small, consistent habits like movement, connection, rest, and “me” time help you stay balanced, healthy, and better equipped to care for your loved ones.  

Focus: Formal and informal expressions of thanks.    

Goal: Foster a culture of daily gratitude.   

“We See You” Notes – People leaders visit worksites (or send personal messages) recognizing unique personal strengths and contributions.   

Peer Praises – As a form of public praise, encourage peer-to-peer recognition using the Praise function within Microsoft Teams.   

Social Media Shoutouts – Departments post photos and highlight staff stories on internal channels or LinkedIn.   

Savings Plus Lunch & Learn Webinar:

• Thursday, May 7 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. [Register Here] 
• “Invest in Yourself: A Gift Your Future Self Will Thank You For” – Show appreciation for our public servants by inviting employees to attend a Savings Plus webinar – a simple and impactful way to invest in themselves and learn how to prepare for the retirement they deserve.  

Reflection Questions  

• Who are you grateful for at work, and why?   
• What’s a recent moment when someone made you feel appreciated?   
• What’s one way you can express gratitude today?   

Live Well Video Resources 

• Thankful Three Gratitude Practice 
• Stress Relief Through Gratitude 

Resources  

• EAP Resource – Practicing Gratitude: Gratitude goes beyond saying thank you—it’s recognizing life and everyday experiences as gifts, which can improve wellbeing and help you feel more positive about life. Practicing gratitude may also reduce anger and build resilience, helping you refocus on support and bounce back from stress.  

Focus: Recognition through development and opportunity.  

Goal: Show appreciation by supporting employees’ professional and personal growth.   

Mentorship Matters: Designing Tailored Mentorship for Your Organization 

• Friday, May 8 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. [Register Here]
  This webinar gives people leaders an opportunity to learn about the CalHR Mentorship Model, a practical approach to supporting professional growth and leadership development across California state government. The model includes four phases with tools to help create formal or informal mentorship programs tailored to your organization. It works in office, remote, and hybrid environments and promotes knowledge sharing, inclusion, and employee development. 

Growth Goals Board- Empower development and collaboration! Invite employees to write one development goal (professional or personal) on a shared board. Managers can acknowledge these goals and actively find ways to provide support.    

Employee and Manager Check-In: Managers can use this opportunity for a quick conversation about Individual Development Plan (IDP) progress and identify resources or support needed.   

Develop an IDP Together: If an employee doesn’t have a IDP yet, managers can help create one during this activity to set clear growth objectives.  

Career Path Panel – Invite leaders to share how they advanced in public service.   

“You Inspire Us” Awards – Recognize emerging leaders, mentors, or innovators in each division.   

Bonus: Invite managers to join the CalHR Mentorship Model presentation. This program is designed to cultivate professional growth, encourage knowledge sharing and strengthen leadership development across California state government.   

 Weekly Wrap Up  

• Take a moment to reflect on the week’s highlights, including key wins, memorable moments, and photos that capture the energy and accomplishments of employees during PSRW 2026.  

Reflection Questions  

• What’s a skill or area you’d like to grow in develop?   
• Who has inspired your professional or personal journey?   
• What does career or personal success look like for you?   

Live Well Video Resources 

• Saving: For the Future 
• Goal Setting Exercise 
• Mindful Playlist | Fairytale Folk  

Resources 

• EAP Resource – Positivity and Resilience: Resilience is an inner strength that helps you recover from stress, setbacks, or illness—and it grows over time through small, intentional changes in how you view and respond to challenges. By building a more hopeful outlook and learning healthy coping strategies, you can experience both personal growth and greater confidence in navigating difficult situations.