Washington, D.C. – President Patria de Lancer Julnes and Executive Director and CEO Bill Shields today issued the following statement on behalf of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA), the largest U.S. professional association for public service.

Public servants at all levels of government face increased ambiguity, confusion and attacks around how, when and where to perform their work. Some federal workers have been summarily fired; others await being arbitrarily reassigned within their agency; and still others continue to perform their roles but under very different circumstances than before. Now, all have been encouraged to consider quitting their jobs with a “buyout” offer that is misleading and disingenuous at best, horribly destructive at worst.

As trust in government hits an all-time low, these actions wreak havoc on the important work underway across the nation and exacerbate the administrative burdens that stand in the way of doing the public good. That is wrong—for the American public, for the dedicated civil servants who work on its behalf and for our collective mission of a more equitable and sustainable future for all.

ASPA calls on its members and partners to remain steadfast and firm in their calling to public service and their commitment to serve the greater good. Continue to perform the jobs you have been called to do even when—in fact, especially when—you operate in this environment. And, to our federal employees: Stay true to the oaths you took to serve and uphold the Constitution of the United States. The most important action you can take is to stay at your post and faithfully pursue your work for the American public. Our country needs you.

ASPA will continue to support the public service through our Code of Ethics—which serves as a guidepost for those making difficult decisions—as well as our programs to advance evidence-based government, performance improvement, sustainability and social justice. We stand by ASPA’s four core values: accountability and performance, professionalism, ethics and equity. They are the bedrock of public administration and will continue to support our community and your work no matter the environment we face.