Public Personnel Administration

CONTINUING CHALLENGES FOR PUBLIC

PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATIONP.A. 826 Public Personnel

Administration

KARIN N. CABEMPA - I

Challenges in Public Personnel Challenges in Public Personnel AdministrationAdministration

Competitiveness Resource Limitations Technology Privatization/Outsourcing Violence in the Workplace Changing Demographics Continuing Reform

Competitiveness

Strong Competition for Qualified Candidates - committed to a career but not necessarily to an

organization - employees are interested in professional growth - employees will likely to quit if they do not get what they

want

Attention to Compensation- budget constraints have left many employers at

disadvantage at pay

Signs of Competitive WorkplaceEngagement - Ongoing employee engagement can be

a positive sign of competition in the workplace. Not only are employees interested in learning and doing well for the sake of personal satisfaction and providing benefits for the company, they also become engaged in the process of outdoing their coworkers.

Productivity - High productivity can be a sign of a competitive workplace, as workers who are trying to show that they can outdo each other work faster and more efficiently.

Signs of Competitive WorkplaceStress - A stressful day-to-day environment can be a

sign of a competitive work environment, especially when the success of some employees reflects poorly on their coworkers.

Defensiveness - Whether you're demonstrating to your employer that your work is as good as anyone else's, or you're responding to a coworker's competitive interest in your performance, a competitive workplace puts you in a position of constantly needing to prove your worth and defend your merits.

Secretiveness - An unhealthy competitive work environment is characterized by a reluctance to share information.

Advantages of Competitive WorkplaceProduction - as individual production numbers

increase, so do those of the entire team of workers who seek to outdo one another.

Self-improvement - include actions like changing work habits to be more organized, using visualization and goal setting to achieve goals and simply performing higher quality work.

Teamwork - Competition can engender a sense of teamwork in the workplace when workers are placed in groups and asked to compete with one another, which can have a number of positive results that come from workers cooperating with each other.

Disadvantage of Competitive WorkplaceCOMPETITION - creates unhealthy rivalries that result

in workers resenting one another, which is especially true if one person or team always wins the competitions. This can result in a gap between the "haves" and "have nots" that may prove to be unhealthy in internal work relations. Competition can also create undue stress that may actually prove to be counterproductive to some worker's efforts.

Resource LimitationsFewer resources mean agencies need to find ways to reduce cost.

As jobs are cut, tensions develop in the organization. When cuts are made, expectations are not. Cuts also lead to declining morale and stress. Productivity of the organization is likely to suffer.

Resource limits also conflict with the keeping benefits.

Technology It is impossible to predict what technological advances will occur but it is certain that there will be advances and that public personnel management will be affected by them. Because of the computers, personnel offices have been able to operate more efficiently while personnel functions have been changed. Employees throughout the organization are affected by changes in the technology.

Advantages of Technology

Improves communication - employees can use various communication tools to interact or exchange information at work.

Encourages Innovation and Creativity - employees can use internet technology to innovate ways of promoting their projects, programs, and activities.

Improves on Human Resource Management- It improves on the process of screening, recruiting and hiring new employees. Many human resource managers are using internet to advertise job openings.

Advantages of TechnologySaves Time - use of internal networks at the workplace can

help in sharing of gadgets like printers and scanners, so employees do not have to move to different departments to share technological tools.

Creates Mobility - the use of internet and computers to work has eliminated space and time boundaries. Employees can work from anywhere at any time, this mobility makes employees stay in control of their jobs.

Disadvantages of TechnologyCauses Distraction at Work - some companies have decided to block access to specific websites like Facebook, Twitter and Youtube, because of the unlimited distraction they cause. Other business technologies which cause distraction at work include smartphones, computers and virtual meeting applications like Skype.

High Maintenance costs - if business technology tools like computers are not well maintained, their performance will decrease and the process of buying new computers or any other business technology can even be more expensive.

Makes employees lazy - since most tasks are automated by technology, many employees become lazy at work, technology kills their creativity and skills.

Disadvantages of TechnologyAffects Workplace Relationships - Interpersonal communications are important in building workplace relationships because employees will get a chance to know each other in person, sometimes they can even share non-work related information, this type of interaction is killed by communication technology tools.

It’s Risky - all employees in important decision making positions will need access to private business information; this can pose as a threat, because it can be very difficult to monitor the usage and privacy of this information. Many employees come with flash drives at work, so they can transfer critical business information and use it for their own personal gains.

Privatization/Outsourcing-involves the delivery of government services or functions by nongovernmental entities.

-the practice of delegating work to another person or organization, usually a third party who is not associated with the business, and entrusting the responsibility of timely completion of such work on that person.

Reasons for OutsourcingNon-availability of in-house technical hand required to execute the work

Cut cost on a long or short term basis by outsourcing the work

Better management of the in-house work flow when the concerned work is outsourced.

Advantages for OutsourcingHiring of the Right Hands - A business may require the services of a rare talent or skill, something that may be difficult to find in-house or even within the same geographical area.

Cost Cutting - Regular monitoring is not necessary as the outsourced team is specialized. Even weekly reports are sufficient in such cases. The management is thus free to concentrate on the core activities of the business.

Efficiency of Scale and Better Quality of Service - Outsourced vendors handling a number of clients can thus not only invest in skilled hands for a longer period of time but they can also take advantage of technological advances, employing the latest software and tools.

Disadvantages for OutsourcingLoss of Regular Monitoring - In spite of the fact that

the business may retain some degree of control over the work and can even demand for more regular reporting, they don’t have the same degree of control they would have had on an employee sitting in the same premise.

Loss of Confidentiality - Even if the outsourced partner is thoroughly tested for their internal security processes there is always the risk of data getting stolen or fraud being committed leading to loss of reputation and client confidence.

Loss of Quality - Since all outsourcing contracts are drawn up in advance and there is not much room to leverage the price, outsourcing partners often resort to less than legal methods to make a profit, or as it happens in some cases, an extra profit.

Disadvantages for Outsourcing

Loss of Moral in a Workforce - Whenever there is word that a business is going to outsource it creates a loss in moral for the workforce. Even if a business is not actually showing people the door, the moral of the staff could easily be sagging when the word breaks out.

Loss of Focus - No matter how dedicated an outsourced team is, it rarely happens that they can exercise the same degree of dedication that an in-house team under the constant and watchful eye of the management can.

Changing Demographics - Demographic changes in the workplace is constant. Workplaces will continue to change. Because of revenue limitations and efforts to avoid future cost, many public employers are using part-time and temporary employees and volunteers.

- The global-aging population and the new generation of young professionals entering the market are changing the shape of the workplace. Employers need to look forward and prepare for the workforce of the future and understand the organizational changes will bring.

Changing Demographics - Never before have organizations seen three and even four generations working together. These overlapping generations have great implications, not only for the way work is performed but also but also for the way the employers need to think about their future talent management strategies and practices required to support their human capital.

- The generations working together today are: Baby Boomers (1946-1964), Generation X (1965-1980), and Generation Y or the so-called Millennial (1981-2000).

Changing DemographicsBaby Boomers - They generally distrust authority and large systems. They are more optimistic and open to change than the prior generation, but they are also responsible for the “Me Generation,” with its pursuit of personal gratification, which often shows up as a sense of entitlement in today’s work force.Generation Xers - They naturally question authority figures and are responsible for creating the work/life balance concept. Born in a time of declining population growth, this generation of workers possesses strong technical skills and is more independent than the prior generations. Millennials or Generation Ys - This group is the first global-centric generation, having come of age during the rapid growth of the Internet and an increase in global terrorism. They are among the most resilient in navigating change while deepening their appreciation for diversity and inclusion.

Advantages of Diversity in the Workplace

Increased creativity - When people in different cultures, backgrounds and beliefs come together to work for a common goal, increased creativity can be achieved. What is already artistic can become even better. What already works can evolve into something else.

Increased adaptability - people from diverse backgrounds can provide ideas for adapting to ever-changing customer demands and fluctuating markets. This also means that an organization has to develop a new process for people with different ideas to collaborate and work together.

Advantages of Diversity in the Workplace

Melting Pot of ideas - No two people think exactly alike, and a company that knows how to exploit varying viewpoints of each individual can create a large pool of ideas and experiences.

Increased Productivity - Put the employees together in one place and what you get is increased productivity.

Increased range of services - A diverse collection of people with different experiences, skills, cultural understanding, languages and other differences enables a company to provide customers services

Disadvantages of Diversity in the Workplace

Communication Issues - Effective communication is a driving factor for success. Unfortunately, diversity can be in the way, and can directly impact productivity because of a lack of cohesiveness.

Lack of Freedom of Speech - People can’t freely state their opinions or tell stories whenever they want for fear of being judged as discriminating.

Increased Cost of Training - Apart from the usual training, an organization must invest in seminars, programs and lectures designed to promote diversity in the workplace. If unity is to be achieved, such training is essential as they will teach employees how to accept thoughts, ideas and personalities of others in the workplace.

Disadvantages of Diversity in the Workplace

Integration of Issues - When social groups form, informal divisions can occur, which will impede social integration. This can hinder the effective sharing of knowledge, experience, skills, resulting in decreased productivity, team efficacy, and business growth.

Increased Competition - Competition in the workplace is good as it can drive success and higher productivity. But when employees do not accept other culture, they are likely to compete against each other, rather than become collaborative members of a team.

Breeds disrespect - The same people who don’t accept other cultures are likely to openly show disrespect and indifference. This can lead to unnecessary tension and can inhibit communication in the workplace.

Violence in the Workplace

Workplace violence is not limited to incidents that occur within a traditional workplace. Work-related violence can occur at off-site business-related functions (conferences, trade shows)At social events related to work, in clients' homes or away from work but resulting from work (a threatening telephone call to your home from a client).


Workplace violence includes:Threatening behavior - such as shaking fists, destroying property or throwing objects.

Harassment - any behavior that demeans, embarrasses, humiliates, annoys, alarms or verbally abuses a person and that is known or would be expected to be unwelcome.

Verbal abuse - swearing, insults or condescending language.

Physical attacks - hitting, shoving, pushing, kicking.


Workplace violence includes:Threatening behavior - such as shaking fists, destroying property or throwing objects.

Harassment - any behavior that demeans, embarrasses, humiliates, annoys, alarms or verbally abuses a person and that is known or would be expected to be unwelcome.

Verbal abuse - swearing, insults or condescending language.

Physical attacks - hitting, shoving, pushing, kicking.


Work-related Factors that Increase the Risk of Violence

Working with the public. Handling money, valuables or prescription drugs Carrying out inspection or enforcement duties Providing service, care, advice or education Working with unstable or volatile persons Working in premises where alcohol is served Working alone, in small numbers or in isolated

areas Working in community-based settings Having a mobile workplace Working during periods of intense organizational

change.


Elements of Workplace Harassment

Use of Power Intention is to Control Have a strong personal dislike to the victim

Personal AttackWith Specific Objective – to get ahead of you, to get rid of you, to pass the blame on you


Instigators of Workplace Harassment

The BossesSub-ordinatesEmployees who are TenuredAny Employee


The “Likely” Acts of an Office BullyVerbal abuseCyber Bullying – you are mocked or made fun of “online”Peters’ Principle- bosses can promote you to a level of incompetenceSabotage- a group can conspire or an employee can do acts that will cause you to fail or look badUnfavorable assignment- this can mean being assigned to different department or officeSexual HarassmentThreats and BlackmailIndirect insubordination- it’s like you’re tasked to head the committee and when you called for a meeting, no one attendedTaking advantage of the newly hired, transfers or interns/OJTsSocial- a group effort to make another employee (bosses or colleagues) feel s/he is not welcome or not part of the group.

Continuing ReformWith change always occurring in the political environment, there are also continuing pressures for reform of personnel management system. Every president brings to office some views for changing public bureaucracy.

Government & Nonprofit

Public Personnel Administration