Personnel Management Discussions

Personnel Management Discussions

WEEK 1 DISCUSSION 1

 

Merit-Based System

 

Over a century ago the United States moved from a patronage personnel system to a merit-based system. Discuss how a merit system makes public administration more effective in some aspects, but also less effective in others.

 

WEEK 1 DISCUSSION 2

 

Public Sector Individual Rights

 

There is a trend towards the recognition and protection of the individual rights of employees, a trend reinforced by personal liability that managers have in upholding these rights. Elaborate on how the rights of those in the public sector differ from those in the private sector, and how it affects overall public sector productivity.

 

RESOURCES

 

Dresang, D.L. (2009). Personnel Management in Government Agencies and Nonprofit Organizations (5th ed.). New York: Pearson Longman. ISBN: 9780205616794

 

 

 

WEEK 2 DISCUSSION 1

 

Strategies for the Workplace

 

Propose strategies that public sector organizations can adopt that will lead to a more fair, yet diverse, workplace. Highlight and discuss a public sector organization that has followed a strategy you have proposed.

 

WEEK 2 DISCUSSION 2

 

Organizational Structure

 

Compare and contrast the design of a typical organizational structure in the public sector versus one in the private sector. Discuss how these contrasting designs are appropriate for each public and private sector entity.

 

RESOURCES

 

Dresang, D.L. (2009). Personnel Management in Government Agencies and Nonprofit Organizations (5th ed.). New York: Pearson Longman. ISBN: 9780205616794

 

 

 

WEEK 3 DISCUSSION 1

 

Position Analysis

 

The foundation of human resources is the job evaluation/description process. Select a job you are familiar with in the public sector (for example, police officer, teacher, etc.) and discuss the best approach to position analysis for that position, along with any challenges that approach would present in accurately completing the position analysis process.

 

WEEK 3 DISCUSSION 2

 

Performance Evaluation

 

Compare and contrast the use of the trait rating theory versus the goal achievement theory, including when it would be preferable to use one method over another.

 

RESOURCES

 

Dresang, D.L. (2009). Personnel Management in Government Agencies and Nonprofit Organizations (5th ed.). New York: Pearson Longman. ISBN: 9780205616794

 

 

 

WEEK 4 DISCUSSION 1

 

Training and Development

 

In years previous, training and development was a prominent expense in an organization. Today, more employees are assuming the expenses for their own training and development. Research and discuss the impact on productivity a public sector employer would see by raising their training and development expenditures.

 

WEEK 4 DISCUSSION 2

 

Effective Public Management

 

Review the Forbes article entitled How To Deal With A Totally Boring Job (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.. According to the article, “Research shows that change — whatever it is — improves our mood and productivity.” Select and defend two factors from the article that you find to be the most realistic in addressing the challenges of effective public management in the workplace. Include in your response the distinguishing obligations that employees should meet to keep their job interesting, as well as the employer responsibility for ensuring that workplace tasks are challenging.

 

 

 

RESOURCES

 

Dresang, D.L. (2009). Personnel Management in Government Agencies and Nonprofit Organizations (5th ed.). New York: Pearson Longman. ISBN: 9780205616794

 

Jacobs, D.L.  (2014, April 4). How to deal with a totally boring job (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.. Forbes. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/deborahljacobs/2014/04/04/how-to-deal-with-a-totally-boring-job/

 

 

 

WEEK 5 DISCUSSION 1

 

Pay for Performance

 

There is a trend in moving towards pay-for-performance as the preferred mechanism for compensation (rather than through seniority, skills, knowledge, etc.). Discuss the challenges with implementing a pay for performance system in the public sector (especially since it is more challenging to determine productivity and performance with public programs such as welfare, crime, student performance, etc.).

 

 

 

WEEK 5 DISCUSSION 2

 

Unionization

 

Nearly 40% of public sector employees are members of a bargaining unit or union (versus approximately 8% for the private sector). Evaluate and discuss the impact unionization has on public sector productivity, both the advantages and disadvantages.

 

 

 

RESOURCES

 

Dresang, D.L. (2009). Personnel Management in Government Agencies and Nonprofit Organizations (5th ed.). New York: Pearson Longman. ISBN: 9780205616794