U.S. Office of Personnel Management Celebrates Public Service Recognition Week | site |


2021 marks 36 years of highlighting public service


(Information contained in U.S. Office of Personnel Management press release dated: May 3, 2021)

Washington, D.C. – This week, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is honoring the 2.8 million federal employees for their service and commitment as part of Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW), celebrated annually during the first week of May. During a global pandemic and unprecedented set of challenges this past year, the federal workforce displayed resilience and commitment to their work. The Biden-Harris Administration will celebrate PSRW throughout the federal government as a sign of the President’s commitment to protect, empower, and rebuild the career federal workforce.

“The work of federal public servants affects so much of our lives, from supporting our biggest dreams to helping us tackle our day to day challenges,” said OPM Acting Director Kathleen McGettigan. “Federal employees have helped discover distant galaxies, land rovers on Mars, and explore the depths of the oceans. They’ve helped fight a global pandemic and taken care of our veterans. They support our small businesses, schools, national parks, and infrastructure. We are grateful to our federal workforce for the many unsung things they do for our country, and I am proud to support this effort as a PSRW co-chair.”

During PSRW, OPM will highlight the contributions of a variety of communities within the federal workforce, including federal retirees, veterans, and federal employees who have died in the line of duty. OPM will also host several internal events, including a town hall, wellness seminar, financial literacy course, informational sessions for the local unions, and a welcome ceremony for OPM’s newest members of the Senior Executive Service (SES).

“With 80 percent of the federal workforce living outside Washington, D.C., our public servants typically live in the communities they serve, demonstrating their tireless commitment to making life better for their friends, family, and neighbors,” said McGettigan.

PSRW runs from May 2-8, 2021. Last week, President Biden released A Proclamation on Public Service Recognition Week, 2021.