Optimal work experiences in the public sector do not receive the attention they deserve. And, though positive psychology research has shown that flourishing in the workplace is connected to healthier and more fulfilled employees as well as improved organizational performance, the public sector has largely taken a backseat as a subject of study in this field. This article addresses this shortcoming by conducting in-depth interviews of current and former public servants to identify the most prevalent features of their best work experiences and their connection to the components of prominent well-being theories. Five characteristics of positive public service emerged: challenge, efficacy, camaraderie, empowerment, and service. Several well-being components were connected to these characteristics as were other features such as hardship, novelty, leadership, and helping others. These findings provide a stronger theoretical basis to suggest that more can be—and should be—expected of government work.

公共部门的最佳工作经验没有得到应有的重视。而且，尽管积极的心理学研究表明，工作场所的蓬勃发展与更健康，更充实的员工以及组织绩效的提高相关，但公共部门在该领域的研究已大步倒退。本文通过对现任和前任公务员进行深入访谈，找出最佳工作经验中最普遍的特征，并将其与著名的福利理论的组成部分联系起来，以解决这一缺陷。积极的公共服务的五个特征出现了：挑战，效能，友爱，授权和服务。这些特征与幸福感相关，而艰辛，新颖，领导力，并帮助他人。这些发现提供了更强大的理论基础，表明可以而且应该期望政府工作更多。