Work-Life Balance in the Public Sector
Burnout, Public Service, and the Search for Compassionate Organizations
1st Edition
Published on 10. May 2026
Book
Hardback
108 pages
978-1-032-96549-9 (ISBN)
Description
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.
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.
Reviews / Votes
"Public work and private life constantly collide. This book cuts through the chaos with sharp insights and practical strategies for creating supportive workplaces and compassionate leadership. It is a powerful guide for those who shape our communities-and an essential read for managers who want to help employees reclaim their balance and thrive."Mary E. Guy, University of Colorado Denver
"Hatcher and Meares offer a comprehensive assessment of burnout in a variety of fields within public administration in their text "Work-Life Balance in the Public Sector: Burnout, Public Service, and the Search for Compassionate Organizations". This is a timely text for academics and practitioners alike, as it highlights an intimate insight into the contemporary challenges public servants face in the workplace, while also providing practical suggestions for public managers to incorporate into their organizations. This powerful work certainly contributes to our understanding of minimizing burnout and incorporating compassion in public service in thoughtful way, which will leave an impression on students, faculty, and public servants at all levels of organizations."
Beth M. Rauhaus, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Professional Practice & Development, Professional Reference, and Professional Training
Illustrations
17 s/w Tabellen, 1 s/w Zeichnung, 1 s/w Abbildung
17 Tables, black and white; 1 Line drawings, black and white; 1 Illustrations, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 145 mm
Width: 224 mm
Thickness: 12 mm
Weight
264 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-032-96549-9 (9781032965499)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
William Hatcher | Wesley L. Meares
Work-Life Balance in the Public Sector
Burnout, Public Service, and the Search for Compassionate Organizations
E-Book
05/2026
1st Edition
Routledge
€31.49
Available for download
William Hatcher | Wesley L. Meares
Work-Life Balance in the Public Sector
Burnout, Public Service, and the Search for Compassionate Organizations
E-Book
05/2026
1st Edition
Routledge
€31.49
Available for download
Persons
William Hatcher is Professor of Political Science and Public Administration and Chair of the Department of Social Sciences at Augusta University, USA. He serves as the co-editor of the Routledge series on Public Affairs Education, and he is former co-editor-in-chief of the Journal of Public Affairs Education. Dr Hatcher has served as a public planner and as chair of the Board of Adjustment in Richmond, Kentucky. His research has appeared in journals such as the Journal of Public Affairs Education, Public Administration Review, American Journal of Public Health, and American Review of Public Administration. He is the author of The Curious Public Administrator (Routledge, 2023).
Wesley L. Meares is Professor of Public Administration in the Department of Social Sciences at Augusta University, USA, where he serves as the graduate program director for the Master of Public Administration program. Dr Meares's research has appeared in journals such as Cities, Public Administration Review, Public Administration Quarterly, Local Environment, Journal of Urban Affairs, Housing Studies, Journal of Public Affairs Education, and Journal of Urbanism. He also has worked as a consultant and evaluator on a number of development efforts, including a series of reports concerning the HOPE VI development in Covington, KY.
Wesley L. Meares is Professor of Public Administration in the Department of Social Sciences at Augusta University, USA, where he serves as the graduate program director for the Master of Public Administration program. Dr Meares's research has appeared in journals such as Cities, Public Administration Review, Public Administration Quarterly, Local Environment, Journal of Urban Affairs, Housing Studies, Journal of Public Affairs Education, and Journal of Urbanism. He also has worked as a consultant and evaluator on a number of development efforts, including a series of reports concerning the HOPE VI development in Covington, KY.
Content
1. Introduction to Work-Life Balance and Burnout in the Public Sector 2. What We Know About Burnout and Work-Life Balance in the Public Sector 3. Burnout and Work-Life Balance in Government: A Theoretical Framework 4. Work-Life Balance, Burnout, and Public Administrators 5. Stories of Burnout and Possible Solutions 6. The Search for Compassionate Public Organizations Index