U7D2-24  – The Impact of Current Issues on Personnel Management

Search the literature to:

1. Analyze current issues experienced by public service employees impacting efficient personnel management practices. 

2. How are these issues addressed and what is the theory driving this approach?

Unit 7 – Paradoxes of Democracy and Motivation

INTRODUCTION

In this unit, you will delve into what for many human resources managers are some uncomfortable topics. Among the sex, race, religion, gender, and age topics, gender is a frequent cause of issues that have paradoxes that are difficult to approach with hard and fast rules (Hays, Kearney, & Coggburn, 2009). A woman, for example, may sometimes be forced to choose between her family and work if there is not an appreciation of the needs she may have to deal with. The balance between freedom of the individual and absenteeism at work is complex.

A special problem in public institutions concerns micromanagement from public figures. In this unit, you will gain an appreciation of this problem through a case study of the Columbia disaster. Micromanagement is not a simple problem, and you may need to review your understanding of dealing with pressures when you look into your feelings on resisting inappropriate micromanagement that compromises your integrity and that of your organization.

Hays, S. W., Kearney, R. C., & Coggburn, J. D. (2009). Public human resource management: Problems and prospects (5th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: CQ Press.

OBJECTIVES

To successfully complete this learning unit, you will be expected to:

1. Describe the value that a public service culture brings to a public organization.

2. Explore issues such as family obligations or health problems that can be problematic to maintaining efficient personnel management practices.

[u07s1] Unit 7 Study 1 – Readings

Use the Research Library to read the following:

• Hoogland deHoog, R. (2015). Collaborations and partnerships across sectors: Preparing the next generation for governance. Journal of Public Affairs Education, 21(3), 401–416.

• Marino, M. (2005). Understanding the importance of job descriptions: How to put them in writing.  Public Relations Tactics, 12(2), 26.

• Parrish, D. E., Harris, D., & Pritzker, S. (2013). Assessment of a service provider self-study method to promote interorganizational and community collaboration. Social Work, 58(4), 354–364.

• Patton, M. T. (2013). Avoiding common job description mistakes. AMT Events, 30(3), 142–144.

Skim the following:

• Lane. J. (2000). Public sector: Concepts, models and approaches (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Columbia Case Study 

 Transcript

Case Study: The Columbia Accident

VIEW CASE STUDY MATERIALS 

To gain an appreciation for the problem of micromanagement, consider the of the Columbia space shuttle disaster.