HRM in the Public Sector

3 Credits · Level: Graduate

Reaching any goal through government action is impossible without people. Regardless of how much money is involved or how much power of the law is wielded, it is people who have to design, implement and evaluate policy. This makes human capital into perhaps the most important resource at the government's disposal to reach its policy goals. What’s more, almost every McCourt student will, eventually, find themselves in a management position. When that time comes, it is pertinent to be skilled in managing teams, recruiting new and evaluating current staff, caring for staff wellbeing, and many other facets involved with Human Resource Management (HRM). HRM includes all tools which help to get the right people into the right jobs, and to have them perform at their highest level, all in order to maximize the organization's impact on outcomes for citizens and society. Think of recruitment, performance management, career structures and career development, culture and diversity, managing labor relations, pay and benefits, and so on. Mastering these elements is essential for all who wish to make a career in the civil and public service, as well as for those who aim to take on a leadership role. This course will introduce you to HRM policies and processes in government entities, and delve into ongoing debates such as those on how easy it should be to fire civil servants based on performance. It will also show how different organizations, contexts and countries might require different HRM practices.