Public service in focus: Respect. Please!” for more appreciation

Public service in focus: Respect. Please!” for more appreciation

On June 17, 2025, the state government launched the “Respect. Please!” action days. launched that specifically focus on civil servants and public sector employees. The aim of this initiative is to promote appreciation for work in the public service. The DGB Rhineland-Palatinate / Saarland supports these efforts and is committed to sustainably improving the reputation of employees. This is particularly important because the public service is viewed as a crisis-proof position with a significant commitment to the common good.

As part of the action days, the #DreamJob campaign that was launched last year will be continued. This campaign includes various activities such as guerrilla actions, social media engagement, poster campaigns, information stands and political initiatives. Always under the motto of presenting employment in the public service as desirable in order to attract future skilled workers.

Don't forget the people

Another important element is the nationwide initiative “Never forget, a person works here”, which has been in force since 2020. This was created during the Corona crisis to highlight the important work of employees in the police, hospitals and offices. The DGB and its member unions are striving for a change in awareness that promotes the appreciation of work in these areas and at the same time mobilizes support for employees in the public sector and in voluntary work.

Almost 29 million people in Germany do voluntary work, which represents an important contribution to the community. This includes a wide range of areas such as trade unions, citizens' initiatives and social institutions, as well as voluntary services in the fire department or sports clubs. However, it was found that the amount of time spent on voluntary activities is decreasing. Women in particular often engage less intensively, which may be related to structural problems such as insecure working conditions and a lack of planning opportunities.

Promoting volunteer work

The state government has already taken steps in the summer of 2023 to make it easier to access the volunteer card to recognize the efforts of volunteers. Possible measures to strengthen volunteerism include regional campaigns, increasing the volunteer allowance and mentoring programs to attract political elected officials. Functioning voluntary work is crucial for a vibrant civil society, but should not be overburdened.

Current initiatives and campaigns show how important it is to value and support both public service work and volunteering to maintain a healthy and engaged society. DGB Rhineland-Palatinate / Saarland and other organizations are committed to these goals and are working to make the public service a true #dreamjob.

Further information can be found on the websites of DGB Rhineland-Palatinate/Saarland and DGB Lower Saxony.