Some Better Than Government Work
The woman called to report a leaking water pipe on her property. It was a city of Spokane pipe, but she wasn’t expecting much help from the Water and Hydroelectric Services Department.
Surprise, surprise. The woman was so impressed with the service she received, she wrote the city this letter: “I assumed that I would experience a bureaucratic mess in dealing with the city. (This wasn’t) true, which is why I am in fact writing a letter - to thank both Rick Henneman and Lloyd Gaines and bring their exemplary efforts to your attention. The service provided to me by these gentleman was greater than that found in any private sector, including Nordstrom!”
It’s Labor Day, an appropriate occasion to honor those Inland Northwest government workers who do their important jobs every day with positive attitudes. And to thank those employees who still feel passionate about their work, despite the government bashing so trendy these days.
In late June, about 15 government workers - city, county, state and federal employees - gathered at The Spokesman-Review to talk about the experience of being civil servants in these times of incivility. The workers have this in common: They love their jobs and are proud of the work they do.
The forum provided background for articles in Sunday’s In Life section by writer Julie Sullivan. Her articles looked at the stress government workers now face. They are often hampered by bureaucracy, held in low esteem by the public and sometimes made to feel like second-class citizens because they chose government work.
Yet, many government employees still find creative outlets for their talents. For instance, U.S. Bureau of Mine employees built a mine in a basement so schoolchildren could learn about mining. And Spokane Solid Waste Department workers figured out how to remove Freon from refrigerators 10 times faster than the usual way.
Government workers who love their jobs add much to our community. They make it safer, healthier, happier. We often hear about government workers gone bad. The angry postal worker. The sleeping-on-the-job garbage men. The crabby driver’s license clerk.
For every negative stereotype, there is a devoted, hard-working, friendly government worker. And it’s time we heard more about them. So we have a couple of suggestions.
If you have a positive encounter with a government employee, ask for the name of that worker’s supervisor. Write a letter of thanks. You’d be surprised how rarely workers hear compliments from the public.
And those who supervise government employees should publicize the compliments their workers receive. This helps everyone’s morale. The Water and Hydroelectric Services Department, for instance, publishes in its monthly newsletter the kudos employees receive from the public.
Small gestures, perhaps. But these thank-yous could help restore some pride in government work. And attract to the profession the talented young people it will take to run our communities in the future.
, DataTimes The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Rebecca Nappi/For the editorial board