The Great Recession and subsequent fiscal crisis left many local governments being asked to do more with less. Shrinking budgets often resulted in eliminating vacant positions and cutting programs not deemed essential to properly functioning government.  As a result, few if any, areas of duplication or overlap exist. As the economy improves, those who previously delayed retirement are now poised to exit, taking with them the institutional knowledge and human capital in their sole possession.

In order to prepare, municipal governments seek new and creative ways to harness the potential already present in their workforce. Previous research in the private sector shows that both formal and informal mentoring provide benefits to individuals and organizations. What we don't understand is if/ how the public sector context differs from private industry. Are the mechanisms that lead to positive mentoring outcomes different across sectors due to different constraints (i.e. budgets, HR policies, etc.)?

Using survey data from several large municipal governments, this research will focus on the role of the mentor. Who are they? Why do they take on that responsibility (especially when there are no formal programs in place)? What do they hope to get from their mentoring relationship? What actually benefits do they receive? What benefits do they create for their protégés and their organizations? Are their mentees more likely to mentor others? 

This research seeks to answer these questions about mentors and provide guidance to governments who seek to harness the human capital already in their workforce. What can management do to encourage mentoring within the organization? How can management support mentoring behaviors? Without instituting any formal programs or incurring additional program costs, management can create a culture that is supportive of mentoring to harness the benefits for individuals and organizations. Findings will highlight best practices and lessons learned from the field, as well as policy recommendations for local governments.