The goal of human resource (HR) management is to maximize the utility of an organization's human capital. Whether in the public- or private-sector, HR management professionals share this goal. Circumstances surrounding the practice may be different, but the profession itself is the same.
Just as there are differences in human resource management from company to company, or industry-to-industry, there are differences between public- and private-sector human resource management. Some of these differences will be matters of style, reflecting the personality and background of the HR leaders; others will be matters of substance, dictated by law and public policy.
Some of the substantive differences between public- and private-sector HR arise because the public-sector is funded by tax dollars. There are more regulations, more rules, and more steps. Specifically, civil service laws regulate many aspects of the employment relationship and particular government agencies may have their own set of personnel regulations. In addition, different rules and regulatory bodies govern labor relations in the public-sector.
Given the common goal of public- and private-sector HR management, public-sector HR professionals will find SHRM Online an invaluable resource. SHRM has compiled here a variety of public-sector HR resources.
Articles
Article: The Evolving Federal Workforce
Included Podcast: Jason Briefel on Reshaping Public Sector Employment
SHRM | Mar 2021
Future of Work in the State and Local Arena
Public-Sector Workers Rethink Their Jobs as COVID Wears On
Governing.com | Feb 2021
Public Employees | Public Employers
JD Supra (Law Firm Articles) | On-going Updates
Hiring Challenges Confront Public-Sector Employers Feb 2020
Final Rule Makes It Easier for Federal Workers to Stop Paying Union Dues Jul 2020
SHRM
HR Holds the Keys to Revitalizing Public Service
Government Executive | Jun 2020
How HR Metrics Could Drive Better Government Performance - Feb 2019
Getting More Value Out of the Government HR Department - May 2016
Governing.com
Changing role of HRM in the public sector
Public Management Review | Aug 2019
Private-Sector NLRB Weingarten Ruling Could Affect Federal Sector Too
FedSmith | Jul 2018
Research
2024 Public Sector Human Capital Trends
Deloitte | 2024
One HRM Fits All? A Meta-Analysis of the Effects of HRM Practices in the Public, Semipublic, and Private Sector
SAGE Journals | May 2018
Organizations | Professional Associations | Unions
American Federation of Government Employees
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
American Public Works Association
American Society for Public Administration
Council of State Governments
International Public Management Association for Human Resources
National Academy of Public Administration
National Association of State Personnel Executives
National Public Employer Labor Relations Association
Partnership for Public Service
Society for Human Resource Management
Publications | Websites
FedSmith.com
Governing.com
Government Executive Magazine
International Journal of Public Sector Management
International Public Management Journal
OPM Reports & Publications Database
Public Administration
Public Administration Review
Review of Public Personnel Administration
Learning | Certifications
Public Employers HR Conference
Employers Council
The Future of Work Conversations (Webinars, multiple topics/dates)
Governing.com
Foundations of Public Service (YouTube Channel)
Gregg Learning
Certifications: IPMA-SCP | IPMA-CP
Course: Public Sector HR Essentials
IPMA-HR
Federal HR Institute
U.S. Office of Personnel Management
Government HR Offices
Federal
Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
State
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
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