Work-Life Balance in the Public Sector : Burnout, Public Service, and the Search for Compassionate Organizations

This is the first book dedicated to exploring public administration’s knowledge of the work-life balance relationship, offering actionable strategies to create healthier, more compassionate workplaces that enhance individual well-being and organizational performance.

After decades of attacks on the bureaucracy and recent efforts by political leaders to undermine democracy, public servants are tired, burned out, and questioning the value of public service. This is the first book dedicated to exploring public administration’s knowledge of the work-life balance relationship, offering actionable strategies to create healthier, more compassionate workplaces that enhance individual well-being and organizational performance. Work-Life Balance in the Public Sector draws on data from a survey focused on work-life balance and burnout administered to city managers working in U.S. cities with populations of 10,000 or more people. It defines key concepts and analyzes case studies, offering evidence-based solutions rooted in the demand-control-support model and the compassionate management model. Readers will gain insights into the causes and consequences of burnout, learn how to foster workplace harmony, and access practical tools to build caring organizations that support employee well-being and democratic governance. This book is designed for public administrators, policymakers, organizational leaders, scholars, and students in public administration, management, and related fields. It is particularly relevant for those seeking to understand and address the challenges of burnout and work-life balance in public sector workplaces.