HRM Public Sector Final Flashcards

What are the three components of the Acquisition Function in public sector HR?

Recruitment, Assessment, and Selection/Promotion.

What value conflicts influence public sector hiring?

Responsiveness vs. Representation and Efficiency vs. Equity.

Name two contemporary challenges affecting public sector HR.

Changing workforce demographics and the shift to broader competencies.

Why is strategic planning important in the staffing process?

It helps identify HR needs that align with organizational goals.

List three recruitment and selection models used in public sector HR.

Centralized, Decentralized, Electronic (Web-based), Outsourcing.

What is criterion validity in assessment testing?

It measures how well a test predicts job performance.

What are the key steps in the public sector staffing process?

Identify HR needs, obtain budget approval, develop criteria, recruit, assess, interview, select, and onboard.

What is content validity in HR assessments?

It ensures the test content reflects actual job duties.

What does a centralized recruitment model involve?

A central HR office manages recruitment for multiple departments.

Why is test validity important in the public sector?

It ensures fair, defensible hiring decisions and compliance with legal standards.

What does the acquisition function in HR focus on?

Obtaining competencies that enable an organization to fulfill its mission.

Why is recruitment in the public sector more complex than in the private sector?

It must balance legal requirements, political pressures, equity, and transparency.

What is the difference between assessment and selection?

Assessment measures candidate suitability; selection is the final hiring decision.

What does responsiveness mean in public sector hiring?

Hiring individuals who can quickly meet community or agency needs.

What does representation mean in public sector hiring?

Ensuring the workforce reflects the diversity of the population it serves.

Why is a shift from KSAs to competencies significant in public HR?

It emphasizes behaviors and performance over just knowledge or technical skill.

How do changing demographics impact public sector HR?

They require adapting recruitment to attract underrepresented or aging populations.

What is a strategic HR plan?

A roadmap aligning staffing needs with the long-term goals of a public agency.

Why is budget approval a critical part of public staffing?

Public agencies cannot hire unless funding is explicitly authorized.

What is a qualified applicant list in civil service systems?

A ranked list of candidates who passed assessment stages and are eligible for hire.

How does an electronic recruitment model benefit public HR?

It increases applicant reach and streamlines the application process.

What are two challenges of decentralized recruitment?

Inconsistent standards and reduced oversight from central HR offices.

What is outsourcing in recruitment?

Using external firms to manage parts of the hiring or testing process.

Why might outsourcing be controversial in the public sector?

It can raise concerns about accountability, cost, and transparency.

What is construct validity in testing?

The degree to which a test accurately measures a specific theoretical trait (e.g., leadership potential).

Why are interviews commonly used in public sector selection?

They allow for evaluation of communication skills and job fit.

What is an assessment center?

A structured evaluation method using simulations, group tasks, and role-plays.

Why is onboarding essential in public agencies?

It introduces new employees to regulations, ethics, and public service culture.

What are behaviorally anchored rating scales (BARS)?

Structured rating systems using specific job-related behaviors to reduce bias.

What is the importance of fairness in public hiring?

It maintains public trust and ensures equal opportunity under the law.

What are the two viewpoints public sector leaders must balance?

Political and Administrative viewpoints.

How does the political viewpoint influence HR in public agencies?

It emphasizes responsiveness to public and elected officials' needs.

What does the administrative viewpoint prioritize?

Neutrality, merit-based systems, and adherence to procedures.

What is Equity Theory in employee motivation?

It’s the perception of fairness based on comparing one’s inputs and outcomes to others’.

How can HR apply Equity Theory in the public sector?

By maintaining transparent pay structures and equitable promotion practices.

What are the three components of Expectancy Theory?

Expectancy, Instrumentality, and Valence.

What does 'Expectancy' mean in Expectancy Theory?

An employee’s belief that they can perform the job successfully.

Why is Instrumentality important for motivation?

It reflects whether employees believe their efforts will lead to meaningful outcomes.

What does 'Valence' refer to in motivation theory?

The value an employee places on the expected reward.

Why might public sector employees be demotivated under expectancy theory?

If effort is not clearly linked to desirable rewards or advancement.

How can HR create challenging jobs?

By designing roles with autonomy, variety, and opportunities for growth.

Why is fairness in decision-making important for performance?

It builds trust and reduces perceptions of bias in hiring and promotion.

What is public service motivation?

An individual’s intrinsic desire to serve the public good and contribute to society.

How can HR support public service motivation?

By connecting jobs to mission-driven goals and societal impact.

Why is workplace flexibility valuable in public HR?

It boosts retention, morale, and work-life balance.

What is job enrichment?

Redesigning jobs to include more meaningful tasks and opportunities for feedback.

How can HR encourage innovation in government settings?

By recognizing creative efforts and offering rewards for improvements.

Why is work/life balance essential in public sector HR?

It improves well-being, reduces burnout, and enhances productivity.

What are the two major perspectives public sector leaders must balance?

Political responsiveness and administrative professionalism.

Why can political pressures challenge HR policies?

They may prioritize short-term or partisan goals over merit-based processes.

How does HR support the administrative viewpoint?

By enforcing rules, standard procedures, and civil service protections.

What internal state does Equity Theory rely on?

The employee’s subjective perception of fairness.

How does perceived inequity affect employee behavior?

It may reduce motivation, increase turnover, or result in reduced effort.

Why is equity especially important in unionized public workforces?

Perceived unfairness can lead to grievances or collective bargaining disputes.

How can pay transparency help uphold equity in the public sector?

It ensures employees understand compensation structures and limits favoritism.

What is the key assumption behind Expectancy Theory?

Employees are rational and weigh effort against expected rewards.

Why is aligning performance with rewards essential in public HR?

It maintains motivation despite limited ability to offer high salaries.

How do civil service rules impact Expectancy Theory in government?

They may limit direct links between performance and rewards, reducing motivation.

What kind of rewards do public employees often value besides pay?

Flexible schedules, job security, professional development, recognition.

How does job design influence motivation in the public sector?

More enriching, autonomous roles tend to increase engagement.

What is intrinsic motivation?

Motivation driven by interest or enjoyment in the work itself.

Why is intrinsic motivation common in public service roles?

Employees are often mission-driven and care about social impact.

What is procedural justice?

Fairness in the processes that lead to outcomes like hiring or discipline.

Why is procedural justice critical in government HR?

It reduces legal risks and builds legitimacy with the workforce.

How can HR promote fairness in promotions and evaluations?

By using standardized assessments, peer review, and clear criteria.

What are strategic workplace flexibilities?

Options like telework, compressed schedules, and remote work.

What role does HR play in implementing flexibility?

Designing policies that comply with law while supporting performance.

What is work-life balance and why is it vital in government?

It helps employees manage stress and maintain long-term public service careers.

How can HR assess employee motivation levels?

Through surveys, performance trends, feedback mechanisms, and exit interviews.

What are the risks of ignoring employee commitment?

Increased absenteeism, low morale, reduced public trust in government.

How does innovation in the public sector benefit performance?

It improves services, reduces costs, and engages employees in problem-solving.

How can HR cultivate a culture of innovation?

By rewarding new ideas, reducing fear of failure, and supporting experimentation.

Why is employee engagement important in the public sector?

It’s linked to better service delivery, lower turnover, and civic trust.

What is the goal of training in public HR development?

To improve immediate job performance through short-term instruction.

How does education differ from training in HR?

It is longer-term and prepares employees for promotion and broader competencies.

What is staff development focused on?

Preparing employees for unclear or unpredictable future roles.

What is organizational development in HR?

A planned change process to make the workplace more effective and adaptable.

Why is diversity training essential in the public sector?

It prepares staff to understand and serve diverse populations equitably.

What does continuous learning promote?

Adaptability, professional growth, and readiness for change.

What is the difference between orientation and onboarding?

Orientation is short-term and procedural; onboarding is long-term and cultural.

Why is onboarding important in public sector HR?

It increases engagement, performance, and retention among new hires.

What is the purpose of basic skills training?

To improve foundational capabilities such as communication or computer use.

Why is on-the-job training most effective when planned?

Because structure ensures consistency and relevance to real tasks.

What should HR consider when developing part-time or temporary staff?

They still need compliance training and support to succeed.

What is the goal of coaching and counseling in HR?

To enhance employee performance and resolve behavioral issues.

What are the benefits of web-based training?

Flexibility, scalability, and cost savings.

How do professional associations help HR development?

They provide networking, certifications, and industry-specific learning.

What is the role of the learning specialist in HR?

To design, deliver, and adapt training programs.

What does an HRD manager do?

Oversees development programs, budgets, and staff.

What does an HR development consultant contribute?

Expertise, change leadership, and program advocacy.

Why is training needs assessment important?

It identifies gaps and justifies resource allocation.

What is problem perception in training design?

The first stage of identifying developmental needs.

What does 'unfreezing' mean in change management?

Preparing employees to accept new behaviors or ideas.

What is the 'movement' phase in HR training design?

The implementation of learning or behavior change.

What does 'refreezing' refer to?

Making new behaviors part of the organizational routine.

What are the four levels of training evaluation?

Reaction, Learning, Behavior, and Cost-effectiveness.

How does HR measure reaction to training?

By surveying participant satisfaction and feedback.

What does behavior evaluation measure?

Whether employees apply new skills or knowledge on the job.

What does cost-effectiveness in training measure?

Whether the benefits of the training outweigh the costs.