Tutorial Letter: 2006

PUBLIC HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

MPMA 815

Lecturer: Prof G van der Waldt 1. INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the study of Public Human Resource Management. We believe that you will not only enjoy the subject, but that you will also find it useful in your particular work environment. If there is one thing South Africa is in dire need of, it is the establishment of efficient and effective human resource management practices for public service delivery. Studying in the field of Human Resource Management is therefore essential. However, knowledge of all the theories pertaining to this field of study is not enough. It is therefore of the utmost importance that you supplement your theoretical studies with observation and research in practice.

2. SYLLABUS

This subject will focus on some of the key issues in Human Resource Management as it is being applied in the public sector. You will receive a study guide for this subject, but you are expected to also consult other sources about the subject, especially when you do your assignment.

The syllabus for Public Human Resource Management is as follows:  Behavioural aspects of human resources  Human resource ethics  Human resource planning  Recruitment: attracting human resources  Selection in the public sector  Placement, probation and induction  Employee benefits and compensation  Transfer, termination and promotions  Employment equity  Health and safety  Performance appraisal and performance management  Training and development  Career management  Labour unions & collective bargaining  Disciplining & grievance procedures  Strategic human resource management  Human resource information systems (HRIS)  Aspects of supervision  Human resource research and problem solving  The future of human resource management in South Africa

Public Human Resource Management 2 You are encouraged to consider the following as possible sources of information for the successful completion of your assignment:

 Suitable articles from magazines and newspapers  Interviews  Government reports, documents and policies (see WWW.gov.za)

Read newspapers to keep abreast of any activities that directly influence your field of study. Also read subject-related journals such as:

• Administratio Publico • Journal of Public Policy • Local Government Digest • Public Administration and Development • Journal of Public Administration and Management (SAAPAM)

3. ASSIGNMENT

There is only one assignment set for this subject. Once your assignment has been evaluated it will be returned to you as soon as possible.

ASSIGNMENT

Due Date: 4 May 2006

Compile a comprehensive report to senior management of your institution in which you clarify and make recommendations on the following issues:

 The need for an integrated and strategic approach to effectively plan and manage human resources in your institution.  Analyse the role of public managers as supervisors with specific reference to the critical linkages between sound labour relations, training and development, and career management they should establish.  Analyse the crucial interfaces between recruitment, selection and placement. [100]

ASSIGNMENT REQUIREMENTS i) General

Public Human Resource Management 3 We expect to receive work of high standard from you. The assignment must portray the following:

 Evidence of thorough research  Knowledge about the relevant matter  An ability to predict, analyse, interpret, synthesise and evaluate situations and phenomena  A thorough insight into human resource management  An understanding of the dynamics involved in human resource management

Please do not provide any sensitive or confidential information. ii) Length

The assignment should be between 15 - 20 typed pages. iii) Structure/layout

The assignment should comply with the following:

 A suitable title  Table of Contents (a list of all the headings and sub-headings used in your assignment)  Introduction (explaining your work context and your specific approach)  Headings and sub-headings; paragraphs, punctuation marks and text references  Conclusion (drawing the project to a close and emphasising the main points without repeating everything)  List of References (listing all the sources you referred to in your assignment, in alphabetical order)

Acknowledgement of sources  When information is directly or indirectly borrowed from sources, the sources must be acknowledged.  For the purpose of uniformity you are advised to use the following method where at least the author’s name, date of publication and page number must be given in the text, e.g. Dunsire (1999:10).  The following are examples of references:  When the author’s name is part of the sentence, the year and page number follow in round brackets, e.g. “...this may be, as Dunsire (1999:10) points out ...”  When the author’s name is not part of the sentence, it follows in round brackets, together with the year and the page number, e.g. “...it serves as an unproved fact that management is important (Dunsire,1999:10).”

Public Human Resource Management 4  When referring to a work written by two authors, give both names. Use the “&” sign between the two surnames instead of the word “and”, e.g. “...recent studies (McNurlin & Sprague, 1998:10) show ...”  Reference to a study guide take the following form: (PU for CHE, MPGA875, 2001:10).

An alphabetical list of all the sources you have referred to in your assignment must be included on a separate page at the end of every assignment to indicate which sources were used to answer the assignment. Use relevant and recent sources.

The following is an example of how to set out your List of References:

ANDREWS, Y. 1988. The Personnel Function. Pretoria: HAUM.

BOTES, P. 1994. Aspects of Supervision: A Guide for the Contemporary Public Manager. Pretoria: Southern.

SCHUTTE, J.S. 1995. In Botha, R.P. & Sinclair, M. (eds.) Norms for Language Usage. Spil Plus 10, University of Stellenbosch.

SOUTH AFRICA (REPUBLIC). 1996. Labour Relations Act 66 of 1996. Pretoria: Government Printer.

SWART, P.J. 1997. Communication with the writer. Johannesburg. (Notes in possession of the writer.) (Interview.)

VAN DER WALDT, G. & DU TOIT, D. 1997. Managing for Excellence in the Public Sector. Kenwyn: Juta.

It is important to remember that only the sources referred to in your assignment must be listed in your list of references. iv) Assignment cover

Please ensure that your name, address and contact details are on the cover of your assignment. v) Assignment planning

Answers to the assignment question must be specific and as comprehensive as possible. If you want to quote from sources, acknowledge the relevant sources. However, keep quotations from sources to a minimum and use your own words. Substantiate all statements/facts with text references and suitable, practical examples. Expand on the subject by drawing on sources other than those listed in this tutorial letter.

Public Human Resource Management 5 Remember the following when you compile the assignment:

 Analyse each question carefully so that you can identify those aspects of the study material that are relevant. Do not latch onto some “keyword” and think that that is all that is asked. Often more than one facet has to be dealt with. You will realise this if you read the question carefully.  Make sure that your answer is directed at the specific question as it has been asked. Do not deal generally with a topic if you have been asked to solve a specific problem. You will only be able to give an exact answer if you first read the question carefully.

How to approach the question:

Unless otherwise indicated, answers to the assignment questions must be presented in the form of an essay. It has to comply with all the technical requirements. a) Analysing the question:

Ask yourself: “What is being asked?” Then write your answer while constantly keeping the question in mind. Analyse the question systematically on the basis of the following hints:  What is the topic?  What aspects are involved? b) Selection and arrangement of information:

 Once you understand the question, you can proceed to selecting relevant information.  Draw up a provisional framework. In this way you can decide what aspects can be left out. As you proceed you can change your framework. Avoid repeating yourself.  Make summaries of source material in your own words. Make a note of references. In your essay you must constantly acknowledge the sources of your information (by means of text references). References in the text must correlate with the sources listed in the Bibliography. vi) Assignment evaluation

Your assignment will be marked according to the following guidelines. Make sure that you adhere to these guidelines in order to obtain the maximum marks.

1. Introduction and Conclusion (15%)  Explain topic  Explain aims

Public Human Resource Management 6  Summarise findings  Deductions

2. Technical Care: (15%)  References  Language and spelling  Division/headings  Bibliography

3. Insight and Practical Application (40%)  Logical reasoning  Practical examples

4. Content (30%)  Comprehensiveness  Research  “The Golden Threat”

EXAMINATION GUIDELINES: 9 June 2006

For your convenience, we have included guidelines for the examination to facilitate preparation.

NOTE! This is a closed book examination

1. Structure of the paper

The paper consists of three compulsory questions. The mark allocation per question is as follows:

 Question 1 - 25  Question 2 - 25  Question 3 - 50

Total: 100 marks

2. What you can expect

Read through the whole study guide and concentrate on the following aspects:

 The need for an integrated and strategic approach to human resource management  Recruitment, selection and placement  Health and safety

Public Human Resource Management 7  Performance appraisal and performance management  Training and development  Importance of sound labour relations  Disciplining & grievance procedures

We wish you success in your studies!

Prof G van der Waldt Head: Potchefstroom Public Management & Governance

Public Human Resource Management 8