How Federal Leaders Should Thank Their Employees

Public Service Recognition Week, celebrated from May 3 through 9, is a time to honor our public servants and reflect on the benefits they provide to the American people.

Government employees are often taken for granted, that is until there is a crisis and the public expects that they will step in and immediately solve the problem at hand. And when things go wrong, of course, there is no shortage of criticism and outrage.

Those who are in the trenches know that government employees are successfully working every day behind the scenes on a wide range of endeavors that help the public -- disease prevention, public safety, national security, education, transportation, veterans' care and so much more.

While praise from the public would be more than welcomed, it is critically important for such recognition to come from federal leaders as well. They need to let employees know that they are valued and that the work they do is important.

A number of leaders are doing so this week.

For starters, President Obama issued a proclamation in honor of the nation's public servants, the House and Senate approved resolutions designating this week as Public Service Recognition Week, and all 15 Cabinet secretaries signed a letter paying "special tribute" to the men and women serving at all levels of government.

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This post was originally featured on The Washington Post's website.