The Human Resource Crisis In The Public Sector

This volume focuses on what many see as an iminent crisis in the public sector, and particularly in the federal government-the possibility that, due to the realities of workforce demographics, poor leadership, lack of competitiveness in the labor market, and demotivating worker conditions, the public service will not maintain its capacity to manage programs, execute laws, and effectively deliver services for the American people. Larry Lane and James Wolf examine the significant human resource problems now confronting federal agencies, addressing these issues from a demographic, organizational, political, and cultural perspective. Arguing that the revitalization of the public service demands an effective, responsible, energetic, and committed workforce, they recommend concrete solutions and strategies aimed at stabilizing the current situation and contributing to a stronger and more effective public service over the long term. Following an introductory statement of major issues, Lane and Wolf explore the crucial roles of the public service in a democratic system of governance and assess the factors that now put the system at risk. They then introduce four conceptual lenses that can be used as an analytical tool to understand the problems of the public service and to develop solutions for assuring the supply, preparedness, productivity, and dedication of government employees. The authors first look at employment flow-the problem of maintaining workforce cadres over time. They examine problems of attraction and retention, inadequacies in system personnel policies, and the necessity for workforce planning. Turning to a discussion of competence in the workforce, the authors examine systemic blocks to the development of competence and offer strategies for addressing the competence issue. The next two chapters treat the concepts of energy and commitment, exploring ways to foster an organizational culture that encourages productivity, continuous improvement, and a long-term commitment to public service. The final chapter presents a detailed set of proposals, options, and initiatives for rebuilding the public service. Administrators, policy-makers, personnel officers, and students of public administration will find this work a significant contribution toward understanding and resolving the public sector's intensifying human resource problems.

'An impressive collection of authoritative treatments of major current and ongoing topics in public sector human resource management, provided by both well-established experts and up-and-coming scholars who are becoming leaders in the field. A valuable resource for courses on the topic and an important reference for scholars and those seeking to maintain expert knowledge about it.' – Hal G. Rainey, The University of Georgia, US This insightful book presents current thinking and research evidence on the role of human resource management policies and practices in increasing service quality, efficiency and organizational effectiveness in the public sector. Internationally, public sector organisations face enormous challenges, including increasingly uncertain political and economic environments, more vigilant and cost-conscious governments, rapidly evolving community needs and an ageing workforce. This collection examines a range of HRM-related topics that will influence the capacity of public sector agencies to negotiate and respond to the challenges ahead. These topics include managing public sector human resources during an economic downturn, enhancing the satisfaction and motivation of public sector employees, attracting and retaining talent, leadership development, and case studies in successful public sector organizational change. With each chapter drawing on the latest research, but also emphasizing the practical implications, this collection is suitable for practitioners, researchers and students alike. It will also be valuable for HR specialists and managers of HR units in the public sector.

Public Human Resource Management: Problems and Prospects by Richard C. Kearney and Jerrell D. Coggburn brings together exemplary contributors who provide concise essays on major contemporary public human resources management issues. Organized into four parts – setting, techniques, issues and prospects – and covering the major process, function and policy issues in the field, the text offers valuable wisdom to students and practitioners alike. The new edition boasts sixteen new and eleven updated chapters authored by the leading figures in the field as well as by up-and-coming new scholars.

This affordable text covers the management of both human resource systems and employees in local government settings. It focuses on the significant changes facing local governments, especially the growing demand for increased Work-Life balance as an integral component of human resource management.

Human Resource Management in Public Service: Paradoxes, Processes, and Problems offers provocative and thorough coverage of the complex issues faced by employees and managers in the public sector, including managing under tight budgets with increasing costs, hiring freezes, contracting out, and the politicization of the civil service. Continuing the award-winning tradition of previous editions, authors Evan M. Berman, James S. Bowman, Jonathan P. West, and Montgomery R. Van Wart encourage active learning through various skill-building exercises and a mixture of individual, group, and in-class tasks. The Seventh Edition includes new examples on how COVID-19 has disrupted the workplace, equity and racial discord, organizational diversity, employee engagement and motivation, leadership development training, work-life balance, gender-based inequities, behavioral biases in appraisal, and unionization trends.

This book is written for the large number of public administration students and practitioners who are interested in becoming department managers and supervisors in various areas of government service. It emphasizes the interdependence between the human resource department and line managers in implementing personnel functions. It also provides enough background and history about human resource management in the public sector for line managers to appreciate why the field functions as it does.

Sound HRM practices matter—they are a sine qua non of effective governance in democratic government—equally so at the local, regional, state and national levels of government. The NASPAA (Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration) accreditation standards demand critical competencies for public managers that are vital to human resource managers and supervisors at all levels. These competencies include: skills to lead and manage in public governance; to participate in and contribute to the policy process; to analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems and make decisions; to articulate and apply a public service perspective; and to communicate and interact productively with a diverse and changing workforce and citizenry. This second edition of Human Resource Management is designed specifically with these competencies in mind to: Introduce and explore the fundamental purposes of human resource management in the public service and consider the techniques used to accomplish these purposes Provide exercises to give students practice for their skills after being introduced to the theory, foundation, and practices of public and nonprofit sector HRM Facilitate instruction of the material by introducing important topics and issues with readings drawn from the professional literature Provide information and examples demonstrating the interrelatedness of many of the topics in public sector HRM and the trends shaping public and nonprofit management, especially diversity, ethics, and technology. Demonstrate and describe differences among HRM practices in public, for-profit and nonprofit organizations, and between the levels of government. Human Resource Management is organized to provide a thorough discussion of the subject matter with extensive references to relevant literature and useful teaching tools. Thus, students will consider the issues, purposes, and techniques of HRM and conceptualize how varied their roles are, or will be, whether a personnel specialist in a centralized system or a supervisor managing in one of the increasingly common decentralized systems. Each chapter includes a thorough review of the principles and practices of HRM (including the why and the how), selected readings, important themes, diverse examples, key terms, study questions, applied exercises, case studies, and examples of forms and processes would-be managers will encounter in their roles.

In this thoroughly updated edition of a classic reference, Stephen E. Condrey brings together leading experts in public administration and HR management to detail how you can: Move beyond your often limited problem-solving role as an HR manager and demonstrate how you can play a more strategic role in your organization. Deal with crucial issues such as diversity, EEO regulations and other legal issues, compensation, sexual harassment, and performance appraisal. Expand your ability to maximize productivity, efficiency, and employee satisfaction. Develop budgets, use volunteers, and employ consultants. Also included with purchase is a free supplemental on-line Instructor's Manual. Order your copy now!

Employers face a myriad of issues when hiring: how to recruit, whom to select, how to interview, Equal Employment Opportunity policies, fair salary offerings, health issues, performance evaluations, behavior/disciplinary actions, turnover, and the list goes on and on. Practical Human Resources Management for Public Managers: A Case Study Approach provides insight into human resource trends and demonstrates how complex situations can be successfully managed by public sector practitioners. The authors take us step by step into the "real world" with examples of historical events that compare "What Happened" with "What Could Have Happened" as well as suggested readings for more in-depth analysis and important points to remember. Exploring the space between theory and what actually occurs in the world, this book supplies instructional case studies based upon actual events. The authors introduce key human resources issues with clear, concise language and provide techniques to address these issues in a real-world setting. The case studies cover legal and liability issues, recruiting and hiring, employee performance, reward and discipline issues, retention, termination, workplace violence, mentorship, motivation, and managing through transitions. The authors bring know-how from a wide array of working environments, including teaching and administrative experience in public universities and management in municipalities of various population sizes from a few thousand to more than a million. They have also worked in a variety of capacities within these organizations, which allow them to see different perspectives on how different departments handle similar situations. They use their from-the-trenches knowledge to explore pragmatic ways to deal with human resource issues in public sector workplaces.

HANDBOOK OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN GOVERNMENT, THIRD EDITION The practice of public human resource management has evolved significantly in recent years due to increased outsourcing, privatization, and the diminution of public employee rights. This thoroughly revised and updated edition of the classic reference Handbook of Human Resource Management in Government offers authoritative, state-of-the-art information for public administrators and human resource professionals. The third edition features contributions from noted experts in the field, including Donald E. Klingner, Mary E. Guy, Jonathan P. West, Jeffrey L. Brudney, Montgomery Van Wart, J. J. Steven Ott, Norma M. Riccucci, and many more. Praise for the Handbook of Human Resource Management in Government "This third edition of the Handbook of Human Resource Management in Government is an essential resource for scholars, practitioners, and general readers in need of concise summaries of up-to-date, cutting-edge, public personnel administration research. No other handbook on the market more concisely, more comprehensively, more clearly synthesizes this vast, rapidly changing field that remains so vital to effective government performance." RICHARD STILLMAN, editor-in-chief, Public Administration Review "The Handbook of Human Resource Management in Government comprehensively and seamlessly blends theory and practice. The result is a clear road map that can finally make HR a key player in helping the government meet the unprecedented challenges facing our nation, our states, and our communities." BOB LAVIGNA, vice president, Research, Partnership for Public Service, Washington, DC "With each successive edition, Condrey's Handbook of Human Resource Management in Government becomes a more essential tool for graduate students who wish to improve their understanding of this field. Condrey's own expertise has enabled him to take contributions from leading experts in the field and shape them into a reader that is comprehensive, engaging, and authoritative." DONALD E. KLINGNER, University of Colorado Distinguished Professor, School of Public Affairs, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs; former president, American Society for Public Administration; and fellow, National Academy of Public Administration