We asked:

It’s Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW). Anything special happening in your workplace to honor the efforts of you and your colleagues? How much of a difference do you believe this week can make when it comes to the public’s perception of federal workers?

You said:

As far as public perception, I think that it’s just going to be received by the public as just another pat on the back for a bunch of spoiled feds instead of what it should be: a sincere thank-you for a job well done for . . . federal employees nationwide. Maybe I should be glad it’s low-key so I don’t have to listen to a bunch of people complain about us again.

Veterans Affairs employee

Not at all, unless you count me bringing in donuts today.

Craig O’Brien

Consumer Product

Safety Commission

Last Friday at the State Department, Foreign Service Day was held. The American Foreign Service Association is the master of ceremonies at this annual event, in the south (“Flag”) lobby of the department.

One Foreign Service career staff person, who passed away at an overseas post in December 2010 from a tropical disease, was the center of the recognition — it has been a fairly bloodless 18 months.

Her name went up on the stone tablet bearing the names of those who have died while on active service beyond the oceans.

Matthew Johnson

Deputy for Management Affairs,

U.S. Mission Nigeria

Resident at Embassy Abuja

From GovLoop.com

Now is an excellent time to reward those who have gone the extra mile.

These are very harsh times for govvies: formal complaints are up across the board, and the work environment is becoming increasingly hostile. We need these sorts of activities to provide a counterbalance to the fear. A great work environment is not linked to big budgets. There are many ways to reward employees and to provide incentives that do not require big budgets, such as dog parks, doggie day care, child care, compressed schedules, telework, and other discretionary benefits.

Megan Eskey

Computer Engineer,

National Aeronautics

and Space Administration

Unfortunately, I don’t even think that PSRW hit many agencies’ radar screens.

Erin Duggins

Senior Adviser,

United States Agency

for International Development

“We’ve had food every day this week, along with theme days for dressing up. I work for a state agency, and we do more than most other agencies in the state. Our execs bought pizza and cake yesterday & handed out certificates of appreciation.

A nice gesture, but again, “Yawn.”

Marian Henderson

Management Analyst II,

Nevada Department of Taxation

GovLoop.com is a social networking site for government employees.