2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good, not the best, but good, October 31, 2007
I'm in a graduate program that is why I bought this book. I work in nonprofit but in the service delivery area and I dont know much about personnel and HR. I thought the class/book would be boring, but I have learned a lot about HR and personnel resource because of this book (and the class)
I think the previous reviewer overstated the perceived gender biases and comments but they are not as strong as the reviewer makes them out to be. Honestly, the reviewer missed the meat of the book and hamstrung themselves on their own issues, ignoring why the book exsists.
The book begins with introducing personnel management in govt, necessity and concepts/theories. Moves into historical background of political patronage, into merit system, Pendelton Act and Civil Rights Acts of 64, 78. Then into personnel rights, rights of management, theories of productivity and motivation (Maslow, etc) Then it explores most importantly the concept of HR planning, integrating into budgets and strategic planning (something I wouldnt have considered) and their reliance on one another (probably the best part of the book)
It delves into performance evaluation, hiring practices, affirmative action and equal employment rules/regulations (not specific, general) employee needs, and collective bargaining.
In this day/age of contracting and unions, being able as a public manager to manage HR to the point that the mission is getting done and people are happy and productive, is probably one of the most important things we can do when working in the public sector.
The book is effective in its writing, uses real-world examples and yes, sometimes its biased in overstating the lack of women/minorities in some sectors, military issues and other things. But to focus on that over what the book intends to do is rather petty.
Only complaint? Price- $106 is steep for this but since its a textbook, things get rather inflated sometimes in that realm
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4 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Right to Free Speech, October 1, 2003
By A Customer
Okay, I understand we have freedom of speech, and textbooks are another way we can use it (apparently.) However, I'd prefer not to be a captive audience to someone's blatantly biased, snotty remarks against anyone on the other side of the fence. I pay good money for my graduate degree and right now I'm wasting my time listening to barbs and zingers. If he even attempted to just present an informative textbook with a little flavoring of opinion for spice, that would be okay. Variety is the spice of life and I like to have a comfortable debate with classmates. He overseasoned the pot and has left a sour taste in my mouth! There is no room for any other view but his. I paid $70 for that? You can't say I can't read it--it's mandatory and I didn't get to preview the book before I purchased it. And some genius bought the most recent addition, too, so there were no used! What a waste. Hello, Dr Dresang, textbooks aren't a venue to print your editorials on life. You're only one man with one man's opinion. Allow a little room for others'!
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