With over 20 million people on its payroll, the government continues to be the largest employer in the country. Managing people who do the nation’s work is of critical importance to politicians and government leaders as well as citizens. The great recession of 2008 put enormous strains on governments, highlighting the key role personnel play in managing under times of austerity as well as prosperity. A thorough examination of political and historical aspects, Personnel Management in Government: Politics and Process, Seventh Edition provides students with a comprehensive understanding of human resource management within its historical and political context in the public sector. It discusses the development of public sector human resource management, the present status of best practices, and important insights from current scholarship on all three levels of government: federal, state, and local. See What’s New in the Seventh Edition: Personnel reforms under the Obama administration Pension developments at state and local levels of government Labor relations reforms at state and local levels, e.g. recent experiences in Michigan, Ohio, and other states making big changes to labor laws and policies Changes to diversity and affirmative action initiatives across the nation Developments in performance outcome initiatives at all levels of government During the 36 years since the publication of the first edition, the authors have addressed issues that were not yet considered mainstream, yet have become so over time. The seventh edition is no different. It examines progress that public personnel professionals are making to address changes in the political, legal, and managerial environment of the current decade. Exploring developments and innovations in the management of people who carry out the government's work, the book introduces students to public sector personnel management.

Human resources represents one of the largest shares of government budgets at every level. The management of people who carry out the government's work is therefore a critical issue to politicians and government managers and leaders, as well as citizens. Regardless of which administration is in office or which reforms are being touted as necessary, personnel are always at the heart of government and governing. Personnel Management in Government: Politics and Process highlights the rapid developments in public personnel administration and management. As one of the bestselling texts in the field, this sixth edition reflects the major changes that have occurred recently in government personnel administration, including the authorization given to the new Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense to develop their own personnel management systems. Addressing reforms in federal and state governments to illustrate the employment scene in public sector workforces, this book continues to provide updated information on the political, legal, and managerial aspects of public personnel systems and policies. Features Reflects the changing nature of public personnel administration Provides up-to-date knowledge on the political, legal, and managerial aspects of public personnel management Addresses developments in the Department of Homeland Security and in the Department of Defense Presents major reforms in personnel policy and administration across federal, state, and local governments

A comprehensive guide, this book covers employee relations and the legacy of quality and reengineering, and discussions on the growth of public personnel management in state and local sectors. The authors discuss affirmative action and equal opportunity case law, work and family issues, the Volcker Commission findings, an analysis of federal pay reform and innovative classification and compensation systems currently implemented by federal agencies, a discussion of constitutional and legal issues facing public personnel administration in areas such as AIDS and drug testing, figures and tables on collective bargaining laws and trends, and more.

Includes coverage of issues relating to every level of government (federal, state, and local agencies) as well as in nonprofit organizations Examines the latest management theories (such as employee engagement and motivation) and current issues including disability and LGBT inclusivity, privatization, merit systems, and family and medical leave The discussion is rooted in public policy issues, providing students with a better understanding of the actors involved and the broader context of personnel administration The focus on the human resource issues is important to the work of all managers--not just personnel specialists Abundant pedagogical tools, including learning objectives, summaries, and discussion questions, guide student understanding and foster critical thinking Exercises and case studies throughout the book can be assigned for individual or group work, helping students apply public personnel management concepts to real world situations.

Human resources represents one of the largest shares of government budgets at every level. The management of people who carry out the government's work is therefore a critical issue to politicians and government managers and leaders, as well as citizens. Regardless of which administration is in office or which reforms are being touted as necessary, personnel are always at the heart of government and governing. Personnel Management in Government: Politics and Process highlights the rapid developments in public personnel administration and management. As one of the bestselling texts in the field, this sixth edition reflects the major changes that have occurred recently in government personnel administration, including the authorization given to the new Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense to develop their own personnel management systems. Addressing reforms in federal and state governments to illustrate the employment scene in public sector workforces, this book continues to provide updated information on the political, legal, and managerial aspects of public personnel systems and policies. Features Reflects the changing nature of public personnel administration Provides up-to-date knowledge on the political, legal, and managerial aspects of public personnel management Addresses developments in the Department of Homeland Security and in the Department of Defense Presents major reforms in personnel policy and administration across federal, state, and local governments

Government and those executing its policies face the daunting task of delivering essential services to a dispossessed and hugely disadvantaged electorate. The authors of The Fundamentals of Public Personnel Management argue that, although the state controls a wide range of limited resources, only the effective management and judicious administration of its primary asset, its personnel, will allow it to translate physical, financial, material and technological resources into synergistic founts of national well-being. Trained and motivated public employees schooled in the ethics of their profession are essential to transforming inanimate structures and resources into people-oriented dispensers of sustainable service delivery.